Experience Beninese culture and learn about its varied history through these top things to do © peeterv / Getty Images
Benin is the birthplace of Vodou – a religion that worships natural spirits and reveres ancestors. It was also a significant source for transatlantic slave traders. A history you’ll learn more about at its museums.
This small West African country is blessed with luscious natural surroundings, beautiful beaches and unique markets. It's a popular destination for adventurers who want to discover more about the country's rich culture..
Here are the eight best things to do in Benin.
The stilt village of Ganvie on Lake Nokoué, near Cotonou © peeterv / Getty Images
1. See Ganvie, the largest stilt village in Africa
As far as Benin experiences go, the “Venice of Africa”, officially known as Ganvie, is a must-visit. It’s an ancient stilt village full of “watermen” – people who have adapted to living in the shallow waters and islands of Lake Nokoue.
Originally, this village traces back to the transatlantic slave trade when the Tofinu people fled the main lands to seek refuge on an isolated body of water to avoid being stolen into slavery by Fon warriors. The Fon are a tribe in Benin who were infamously known to be slave hunters during that time.
Today, Ganvie has a population of 20,000 people who practice fishing and tourism as their main sources of income.
Go for a day trip to Ganvie, it's only 9kms away from Cotonou, and immerse yourself in the local culture. A stunning sight for birdwatchers, Lake Nokoue occupies 16,000 hectares where the African openbill and white crested heron call home.
Planning tip: Make sure you find out the correct prices for a Ganvie excursion because it's easy for tourists to get overcharged for tour packages. Ganvie is one of the busiest tourist destinations in Benin, make sure your guide is also reliable.
2. Discover occult culture in Ouidah
While visiting Benin, Ouidah should be at the top of your travel itinerary. Why? It's a dark tourist destination. If you're drawn to odd obscure sites that are out of the ordinary, Ouidah is definitely for you. You can go to the Temple of Pythons where tons of pythons slither around in preparation for Vodou rituals. Additionally, visit The Musée de la Fondation Zinso to learn more about Benin's colonial history. The last stop of your Ouidah odyssey should be the Route des Esclaves which follows an enslaved person’s experience from being sold as a commodity in the slave market to the Door of No Return which is a monument that honors the lost enslaved people of Benin.
Planning tip: Organize a fee with your driver that includes entrance fees to the sites to save money.
Cotonou is a large port city on the south coast of Benin © peeterv / Getty Images
3. Embrace the hustle and bustle of Cotonou
This busy and vibrant city that's the beating heart of Benin offers many activities for a wide variety of travelers. If you would like to have mementos of your Benin trip, stop by the Artisanal Centre to buy some trinkets and souvenirs. If you would like to make the most out of shopping in Benin, visit the Grand Marché du Dantokpa. Here you will find everything from seafood to soap. The northern part of this market has a Vodou Fetish Market where Vodou priests buy supplies for rituals. This will be your first and last destination while visiting Benin: the international airport is located here.
Local tip: Don't walk on the beach, or swim alone, at any time of day.
4. Dive into the history of the ancient capital of Abomey
If you're a history lover, make sure you visit the Royal Palaces of Abomey. Abomey is in the northern part of Benin, once the capital of the powerful West African Kingdom of Dahomey which ruled from 1600 to 1814. This is a Unesco World Heritage site that has great historical significance with riveting stories of monarchs who once lived here, make sure you get a local guide to tell you the tales.
Unfortunately, the palaces are in a decrepit state and have been completely destroyed. There's a new feature of Abomey called the "Walk of the Slaves" which symbolizes the last leg of an enslaved person’s journey from the moment they left Africa till they arrived in the Americas. This 3km stretch is full of statues and memorials – which pay tribute to the enslaved people wrongfully stolen into a life of slavery and servitude – along the path to the old slave market.
Planning tip: Abomey is quite far from all the other cities and towns, you'll need to travel by road to get here.
A woman cooking a meal in the street © Ines Gesell / Lonely Planet
5. Explore Portuguse remnants in Porto-Novo
Porto-Novo is the capital of Benin, full of rich history about the Goun (Gun) people's kingdom and also has strong colonial ties to the French who were once made this the capital of their colony. It was renamed Porto after the Portuguese who made this a slave trading center.
You can pay a visit to the Grand Mosque which was built in 1912 by the Brazilian community in Benin, building after their colonial styled churches. This Christian church style went from Portugal to Brazil and then to Benin, where it was used to build a Muslim mosque.
Other places you can visit include the Musée Ethnographique de Porto Novo which will teach you about the customs of Benin's diverse tribal groups, the Centre Songhai which is a sustainable farming center, and the Musée de Silva which celebrates the Afro-Brazilian community in Benin. You can also visit less touristic stilt villages called Aguégué, 10kms from Porto-Novo.
Planning tip: After visiting the historical sites, because they are truly one of a kind on your Benin trip, Porto-Novo also has some beaches to visit.
A man riding a motorbike on a beach road in Benin © peeterv / Getty Images
6. Relax at the secluded beach getaway of Grand-Popo
This is a place to relax and kick-back on a visit to Benin. It is uniquely uncommercialized, still preserving its authentic culture and traditions. Grand-Popo is best visited during the low season so that you can enjoy the beaches for yourself.
Don’t miss Bouche du Roy, where the river meets the ocean, and Villa Karo, a Finnish–West African cultural center. If you would like more of a cultural experience, you can also visit Lac Ahémè, a place where women collect salt and you can also learn about the traditional farming methods of the Beninese.
7. Go on a wildlife-spotting safari in Pendjari National Park
A large wildlife population inhabits Pendjari National Park including lions, hippos, elephants and buffalo. It's a remote reserve that occupies 2,755 sq kms, the most scenic areas are hidden away in the hills and cliffs. The tropical climate of the area ensures an abundant supply of rainfall annually, enabling luscious vegetation to flourish in the area.
It is recommended to get a guide to enjoy the spectacular views of large land mammals and reptiles. You can also go birdwatching to make the most out of your time in this area.
Planning tip: Remember to carry a hat and wear sunscreen on your excursion.
8. Detour to the home of shea butter
Located only 50kms away from Pendjari National park, you’ll find the famous shea butter producers of Natitingou which are worth a detour on your Benin itinerary. This small city has a museum that is based within a French colonial building and has a detailed hidden history about the Somba people of Benin. If you love African culture, this is the best place to see and learn the culture of the Somba people and you can see their unique building methods firsthand. Natitingou is also the best place in Benin to see shea butter being made and buy a few jars as souvenirs.
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