Cotonou walking tour & city guide

Markets and the seafront

Dantokpa Market, beside the lagoon, is one of the largest open-air markets in West Africa, spreading over many hectares with sections for fabrics, food, electronics and voodoo fetishes. In the centre, the Place de l'Étoile Rouge and the colourful Cathedral of Our Lady are landmarks.

Along the coast, a new seafront road leads to the giant statue of the Amazon, honouring the female warriors of the Dahomey kingdom, and to Fidjrossè beach, where locals gather at weekends.

A classic walk

Start at the striped red and white Cathedral of Our Lady of Mercy, then walk to Dantokpa Market and lose yourself in its alleys. Continue to the Place de l'Étoile Rouge and finish on the seafront by the Amazon statue at sunset.

Good to know

The driest months are December to March. Zémidjans are the fastest way to get around. Ganvié, a village built on stilts in Lake Nokoué, is a short boat ride from the city, and the old slave port of Ouidah, with its Route of Slaves and Door of No Return, is an hour west.