Parakou is a city in the eastern portion of Benin, situated around 420 kilometers north of the country’s commercial capital, Cotonou. Parakou is the administrative center of the Borgou Department, covering an area of 441 square kilometers. Parakou is one of the modern cities of Benin with all facilities as well as entertainment centers, including the nightclub, The Bataclan Nightclub and also featured in museums, libraries, cafes, restaurants and internet cafes.

Parakou is home to the recognized football clubs, Dynamo Unacob FC de Parakou and Buffles du Borgou FC. Parakou has an industrial based economy, mainly cotton and textile industries and trade activities and tourism are also the parts of the city’s economy. Parakou coordinates with 9°21′ N latitude and 2°37′ E longitude and sprawls over an area of 441 square kilometers.

How to reach Parakou?

Parakou hosts a domestic airport with scheduled flights from Cotonou, served by COTAIR. Other than airway, Parakou can also be reached easily from Cotonou by both roadway and railway.

Voyageur SARL is a private train operator offering Train d’Ebene services between from Cotonou to Parakou and can get by prior request only.

To move within the city of Parakou, visitors can use minibuses or comfortable taxis or rental vehicles like a car or bike.

Culture, Shopping and Food in Parakou:

Muslim citizens cover half of the population of Parakou, followed by Roman Catholics population.

Grand Marché Azeke and Marché Kobo Kobo are the two important and famous traditional markets of Parakou.

Some nice food corners in Parakou include:

• La Face Douane
• Le Bataclan
• KMM Club

Things to do in Parakou:

• Visiting nightclubs
• Walking
• Shopping

Tourist places in Parakou:

The Grand Marché Azeke:

The Grand Marché Ezekiel is an international market in the Parakou home to vendors between 500 and 1000. The market is specialized selling traditional potteries like bowls and cheese and bowls are the colorful genuine cotton clothes.

Central Parakou:

The Central Parakou is packed with all the important administrative offices of the commune as well as banks, Parakou library, the Ministry of Culture, Art and Tourism, especially tall pink column, a symbolic structure on which emblazoned the city’s name.

Zoo in Hotel les Routiers:

Other than grand hospitality services, the Hotel les Routiers is known for its zoo with many typical animal and bird species like turtles, warthogs and alligators. Visitors can also purchase wooden masks, jewelry and many other different designer products at the gift shop in the hotel.

Musée en Plein Air de Parakou:

Situated around 1.5 kilometers away from the heart of the city of Parakou, the Musée en Plein Air de Parakou features 5 circular complexes associated to the traditional housing of the natives. Entrance fee is CFA franc 1500.

The Bataclan Nightclub:

A favorite youth site in the city, the Bataclan Nightclub is the focal point of the nightlife of Parakou which gets full crowd during weekends by nearby city youths along with local youths. It is situated in the vicinity of Hotel Princess in the city.

List of the other attractive places in Parakou include:

• Parakou Mosque
• Cathédrale Saints Pierre et Paul
• Municipal stadium of Parakou
• Pendjari National Park
• Djougou Stadium
• Cotonou Cathedral
• Alexandre Sènou Adandé Ethnographic Museum
• Royal Palaces in Porto-Novo
• Musée en Plein Air de Parakou
• Cotonou Central Mosque
• W National Park
• Ancient Pont Bridge
• Basilique de l’Immaculée Conception

Ideal time to visit Parakou:

The best time to visit Parakou is during the months between November and February.

Where to stay in Parakou?

Parakou is a modernize city holding different kinds of accommodation, including hotels, motels and vacation rentals of which the most can be booked through package tours. A list of the famous hotels in Parakou and Cotonou (around 420 km) includes:

• Hotel Princesse
• Hotel Les Triangles
• Motel Bravo
• Buffet Hotel
• Hotel les Routiers
• Myosotis Residence Hotel & Spa
• Ibis Cotonou
• Sea View Hotel
• Hotel Le Zenith
• Rivoli Hotel Benin
• Benin Atlantic Beach Hotel
• Novotel Orisha Cotonou
• Maison Rouge Cotonou
• Benin Marina Hotel

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Porto-Novo is the capital of the African country of Benin, geographically positioned in the southeastern part of the nation at 6°29′50″ N 2°36′18″ E. It is the second largest city of Benin, after the commercial capital, Cotonou (around 35 kilometers southeast of Porto-Novo) where the most major administrative offices of Benin are located while Porto-Novo is only home to the national legislature and Porto-Novo covers a total area of 110 square kilometers.

Having been serving as the capital of Benin since the French Dahomey, Porto-Novo holds many historical tourist attractions including the King Toffa’s Palace.

History of Porto-Novo:

The name Porto-Novo derived from the Portuguese language, meaning ‘New Port’. Porto-Novo became a part of the French Dahomey in 1883 and after 7 years of this incident, Porto-Novo was promoted as the capital of the French Dahomey.

How to reach Porto-Novo?

Porto-Novo doesn’t have any airport, so international tourists are needed to reach Cotonou Airport in Cotonou first and then take taxi from there to Porto-Novo which takes around 45 minutes and costs 600cfa to reach the distance of 35 kilometers from the airport to Porto-Novo.

Zémidjan are common options to get around Porto-Novo which is a type of taxi carrying one to two passengers and its minimum rent is 100FCFA and maximum is 5,000cfa.

Culture, Shopping and Food in Porto-Novo:

Porto-Novo is famous for an Adjogan music style which is played everywhere in the city, mainly in churches.

Other than four supermarkets including Champignon, Paniere, Universe 7, Porto-Novo houses a traditional market Adjarra Market, which is around 10 kilometers away from the center of Porto-Novo where one can purchase astonishing potters, typical musical instruments and different voodoo ornaments.

Some tourist favor restaurants in Porto-Novo include:

• Maquis Katchi Ambiance
• Restaurant Mahi
• Comme Chez Soi

Things to do in Porto-Novo:

• City tours
• Shopping
• Walking

Places of interest in and around Porto-Novo:

The Porto Novo Museum of Ethnography:

The Porto Novo Museum of Ethnography describes the features of the native people of Yoruba with a large collection of objects related to them including masks. One can also find valuable information on the history of Porto-Novo and Benin here.

King Toffa’s Palace:

The King Toffa’s Palace is a historic landmark mansion describing the characteristics of the African royalty. The palace gained locus on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on October 31, 1996. Now it is home to a museum.

The da Silva Museum:

The da Silva Museum is concentrated on showcasing the cultural life of Afro-Brazilians who settled in Porto-Novo after returning back from Brazil after getting liberation in there.

Jardin Place Jean Bayol:

The Jardin Place Jean Bayol is a big, complex holding many modern and historical attractions including the of Porto-Novo’s first King’s statue.

The palais de Gouverneur:

The palais de Gouverneur or the Governor’s Palace is the Parliament building of Benin, featuring a white exterior. The construction is distinct and its surrounding environment is also pleasant.

List of other places of interest in and around Porto-Novo include:

• Mosque in Porto-Novo
• Institute of Higher Studies of Benin
• Stade Charles de Gaulle
• Stade Municipale
• Jardin des Plantes et de la Nature
• Lake Nokoué
• Ancien Pont Bridge
• Cotonou Cathedral
• Cotonou Central Mosque
• National University of Benin

Best time to visit Porto-Novo:

Porto-Novo generally experiences a dry weather throughout the year and the ideal time to visit Porto-Novo is from November to February.

Accommodation options in and around Porto-Novo:

Although the capital of Benin, Porto-Novo houses limited number of hotels, which get crowded during peak season, so it is suggested for visitors to book hotel rooms through online prior to reaching the city. In meanwhile, visitors can also refer hotels of nearby Cotonou (around 35 km) for more comfort. Here are some top end hotels in Porto-Novo:

• Bimyns Hotels & Resorts
• Hotel Dona
• Hotel Ayelawadje-2
• Hotel Beaurivage
• Hotel Les Ambassadeurs
• Auberge chez Theo
• Complexe Touristique Hotelier Le Palais
• Hotel Village Aheme
• Hotel Le Capitole
• Apartamentos Punta Seame

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Ouidah is a city in the Atlantique Department of Benin, located on the Atlantic coast of Benin between 6°22′ N latitude and 2°05′ E longitude. Ouidah gained space on the Tentative List of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, selected on 31 October 1996 which covers the Basilica of Ouidah, Fort of São João Baptista de Ajudá, Basilique de l’Immaculée Conception and many other historic landmarks of the city.

Ouidah is situated at an elevation of 65 meters above sea level and about 40 kilometers west of Cotonou, the largest city of Benin and the city spans over an area of 364 square kilometers.

History of Ouidah:

Originally called Glēxwé, Ouidah was probably founded at the end of the 16^th century. Among reign of many European rulers, the influence of Portuguese rule still dominates the city’s culture, who occupied the area in 1580 and constructed a fort in 1721, named Fort of São João Baptista de Ajudá which is now used as a museum.

Getting Ouidah:

Ouidah is served by the Cadjehoun Airport with scheduled flight services from and to Paris, Brussels, Istanbul, Nairobi, Amsterdam and many other European capitals. The airport is located around 40 kilometers away from Ouidah which can be reached by airport taxi or minibus or pre-booked private transports.

There are buses regularly plying between Ouidah and other southern cities of Benin and also many travel agencies conduct day tours of Ouidah and its surrounding cities.

Culture, Shopping and Food in Ouidah:

Ouidah is considered as the Vodun religion’s spiritual capital and the city is the site of the International Vodun Conference which takes place annually.

One can purchase everything at the Market of Ouidah including pillows, traditional handicrafts, locally made rugs, perfumes and clothes as well at reasonable prices.

Some staple foods used to prepare dishes in Ouidah are roasted turkey, tomatoes, chicken and salad.

Le Jardin Secret and Côté Pêche are the town famous food corners among visitors.

Things to do in Ouidah:

• Beach exploration
• City tours
• Traditional shopping

What to see in Ouidah?

Fort of São João Baptista de Ajudá:

Being an icon of Ouidah, Fort of São João Baptista de Ajudá is the most popular tourist attraction. It is a historic fort constructed in 1721 by the Portuguese rulers and now it is home to a museum showcasing the city’s history. It is a must visit.

Basilique de l’Immaculée Conception:

The Basilique de l’Immaculée Conception is a striking Roman Catholic basilica devoted to the Immaculate Conception on November 9, 1989. Its both interior and exterior architecture will be a great treat for visitors’ eyes.

Ouidah Museum of History:

The Ouidah Museum of History was founded to display the grand and long history of Ouidah during the Portuguese rule. The museum is located in the Fort of São João Baptista de Ajudá.

Route des Esclaves:

The Route des Esclaves is a pathway leading city to the beach area and along these one can spot many statues and monuments, of which the memorial arch Door of No Return is the important and typical one.

Maison du Brésil Art Gallery:

The Maison du Brésil Art Gallery is a reconstructed manor of Brazilian slavers, housing a wide variety of well preserved art works.

List of the other tourist attractions in Ouidah and Cotonou includes:

• Voodoo Python Temple
• Market Center of Ouidah
• Ouidah Cathedral
• Musee de la Fondation Zinsou
• Porte du non retour
• Lake Nokoué
• Ancien Pont Bridge
• Cotonou Central Mosque
• Cotonou Cathedral
• National University of Benin
• Dantokpa Market
• Cotonou Friendship Stadium
• Fondation Zinsou
• Fidjrosse Beach
• Marche Dantokpa

When to visit in Ouidah?

The best time to visit Ouidah depends on visitors interest, although the most popular time to visit Ouidah is from December to February.

Where to stay in Ouidah?

Being a tourist destination, Ouidah houses all sorts of modernized accommodation options with all types of latest facilities and services including spa, sauna, fitness center and arrangement of bikes and bicycles. The prominent hotels in Ouidah and Cotonou (around 40 kilometers) are listed below:

• Djegba Hotel
• La Casa del Papa
• Diaspora Auberge
• La Maison de la Joie
• Le Jardin Secret
• Edelweiss Les Retrouvailles
• Auberge de Grand Popo
• Maison Rouge Cotonou
• Hotel Awale Plage
• Ibis Cotonou
• Hotel du Port
• Azalai Hotel De La Plage
• Guesthouse Haie Vive

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Natitingou is a city as well as a communal situated in the Atakora Department of the West African country Benin. Natitingou is located in the northeastern part of the country, around 80 kilometers northwest of Djougou and 550 kilometers northwest of the commercial capital, Cotonou. Natitingou is a gateway for Pendjari National Park which is around 50 kilometers from Natitingou, home to many endangered animal species including Western hartebeest. The natural beauty the Falls of Tanougou is located within a 2 hour drive from Natitingou.

Natitingou has an agriculture based economy, specialized in growing maize, yams, cotton and sorghum. The geographical coordinates of Natitingou are 10°18′ N 1°22′ E and the town covers a total area of 3,045 square kilometers.

History of Natitingou:

The name of Natitingou is the modified form of a Waama language word ‘Nantibatingou’. According to the historical records, the Waama ethnic groups were the founder of Natitingou.

How to reach Natitingou?

Natitingou hosts an airport, but the flight service is not regular. The closest airport to Natitingou is Parakou Airport, located around 210 kilometers and receives scheduled flights from Cotonou, served by COTAIR. It can be reached Natitingou from Parakou by a car through highway RNIE 3 which takes around 4 hours.

To move within Natitingou, visitors can choose local transpostation such as cars or bikes or wait until the arrival of bus.

Culture, Shopping and Food in Natitingou:

Natitingou is inhabited by the Somba people who are very polite and have a friendly nature, mainly to help visitors coming to the place year round. They live in Tata Somba Houses which are really interesting dwellings with 3 storeys.

Tasty local red cheese is famous among visitors and for shopping, the town houses both modern as well as traditional shops with unique locally made handicraft products. The restaurant Maquis Savana is famous for European food.

Things to do in Natitingou:

• Hiking
• Watching movies
• Day tours

Tourist Attractions in and around Natitingou:

Natitingou Museum:

An important cultural center of the town, the Natitingou Museum describes the lifestyle of native Somba people and also exhibits, musical instruments tambour drums and violins used by locals. The museum is located in an old French colonial house constructed in the year 1915.

Tata Somba Houses:

The Tata Somba Houses are the mud brick houses that were originally constructed to guard village from the slave traders and rival tribes. One can see this type of houses all around Natitingou and in its surrounding areas.

Kota Falls:

The Kota Falls or Chutes de la Kota is a popular nature lovers spot, situated a few kilometers away from Natitingou. One can also enjoy swimming in Kota falls. Tourists must pay entrance fee (200 CFA) only during the summer months not during the rest of the year.

Natitingou Hills:

Situated along the Natitingou – Boukoumbe road, Natitingou Hills features an eye-catching landscape and also offers the striking views of surrounding towns and cities including Natitingou. It can be reached by foot or by local transportation from the town.

Pendjari National Park:

Situated around 50 kilometers away from Natitingou, the Pendjari National Park is rich in flora and fauna species, covering an area of around 2755 square kilometers. Pendjari National Park is home to all types of West African animal species including West African lions, Western hartebeests and elephant. From December to June is the most popular time to visit PNP.

List of the other tourist attractions in and around Natitingou includes:

• Shea Butter
• Natitingou Town
• Parakou
• Djougou Stadium
• Maison de Jeunesin
• Natitingou Airport
• The international market Grand Marché Azeke
• Cotonou Central Mosque
• Parakou Mosque
• Musée en Plein Air de Parakou
• W National Park
• Ancien Pont Bridge
• Basilique de l’Immaculée Conception
• Cotonou Cathedral
• Musée en Plein Air de Parakou

When to visit Natitingou?

From November to February is the best time to visit Natitingou to enjoy the beauty of its natural sceneries.

Where to stay in Natitingou?

Due to its nearness with the Pendjari National Park and many other traditional tourist attractions, Natitingou provides relatively more accommodation centers compared to other northern cities of Benin. Other than facilities and services, visitors can also enjoy mouth watering traditional delicacies at Natitingou’s hotels. The prominent hotels in and around Natitingou are as follows:

• Hotel Bourgogne
• Ma Case au Benin
• Hotel Le Vieux Cavalier
• Hotel Tata Somba
• Hotel Bellevue
• Residence Palais Somba
• Pendjari Lodge
• Campement relais de Tanougou
• Camp Numi
• Hotel Baobab
• Tata Benin Boukombe

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Kandi is a town situated in the department of Alibori in the northern part of Benin, around 520 kilometers north of the national capital, Porto-Novo and 650 kilometers north of Cotonou, the largest city of Benin. Kandi is geographically positioned between 11°07′43″ N latitude and 2°56′13″ E longitude, covering an area of 3,421 square kilometers.

The commune of Kandi shares borders with Gogounou to the south, Banikoara to the west, Malanville towards north and Ségbana towards east. The economy of Kandi is based on the different agricultural activities, especially on the productions of maize, cotton and kapok.

History of Kandi:

According to the documented history, the Dendi Kingdom was the founder of Kandi. The town holds few remains indicating the foundation dating from the Dendi Kingdom period.

Conenctivity to Kandi:

There is an airport in Kandi, but it is not served by any flights currently. The closest major airport to Kandi is the Parakou Airport, located around 215 kilometers away from Kandi and has scheduled flight services from Cotonou.

Kandi is connected to Parakou through roadways and buses extend to the national capital, Porto Novo and Cotonou.

One can get around the town by minibus or rental car which are also used for airport travel and to reach nearby cities.

Shopping and Food in Kandi:

Kandi offers modernized shops and restaurants and tourists can have memorable shopping experiences and can taste mouthwatering authentic Beninese dishes in and around Kandi.

Things to do in Kandi:

• Hiking
• Shopping
• Village tours

Tourist places in and around Kandi:

Foret de Kandi:

The Foret de Kandi is a forest reserve, situated around 10 kilometers away from the town of Kandi. It would be helpful if visitors take a guided tour or help of natives, to explore this nature reserve.

Kandi Airport:

The Kandi Airport is situated at 11°8′42.2″ N 2°56′25.6″ E, around 292 meters above sea level, around 2 kilometers  away from heart of Kandi. The airport is modern, well constructed, but it is served by very less flights.

Djougou:

Djougou is a market town, situated around 280 kilometers away from Kandi, home to a sports venue Djougou Stadium, a cultural center, and many other man-made and natural tourist attractions.

Parakou:

Parakou is a city located around 215 kilometers south of Kandi, connected by highway RNIE 2. It holds many traditional and modern tourist attractions including the museum Musée en Plein Air de Parakou, international market Grand Marché Azeke and mosque.

List of other attractive places in and around Kandi include:

• Djougou Stadium
• Maison de Jeunesin
• Pendjari National Park
• Musée en Plein Air de Parakou
• W National Park
• Cotonou Cathedral

• The international market Grand Marché Azeke
• Cotonou Central Mosque
• Alexandre Sènou Adandé Ethnographic Museum
• Royal Palaces in Porto-Novo
• Musée en Plein Air de Parakou
• Ancien Pont Bridge
• Basilique de l’Immaculée Conception

Ideal time to visit Kandi:

Throughout the year is best, especially for outdoor activities, from November to April is the ideal time to visit Kandi in Benin.

Where to stay in Kandi?

There are standard accommodation centers very less in number, so, to enjoy grand hospitality services, visitors can drive towards the commercial capital Cotonou, where one can find all sorts of modern hotels with different latest facilities and services. Some nice hotels in Kandi, Djougou (280 kilometers), Parakou (210 kilometers) and Cotonou (650 kilometers) are as follows:

• Chez Monique Auberge a La Lune
• Residence Marie-Josee Abomey
• Auberge d’Abomey
• Chez Monique
• Hotel Dako Bohicon
• Le Raja Hotel
• Best Western Plus Liberte Hotel
• BEST WESTERN Hotel Colombe
• Hotel Beni Tala
• Le Meridien Oran Hotel & Convention Centre
• Hotel Eden Airport
• Hotel Residence Pomaria
• Hotel Residence Le Timgad
• Hotel Eden Belabbes

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Djougou is a city located in the northwestern part of Benin, belonging to the Donga Department, covering an area of 3,966 square kilometers. Djougou is situated around 130 kilometers northwest of Parakou and 460 kilometers northwest of the commercial capital, Cotonou.Djougou is geographically positioned around 430 meters above sea level, between 9°42′ N latitude and 1°40′ E longitude.

Djougou is the largest city of Northwest Benin and hub to hospitals, many different recreational centers, hotels, schools, mosques and churches. Djougou is connected by bus to all the major cities of Benin including Parakou, Natitingou, and Cotonou.

How to reach Djougou?

Djougou has an airport but flights are not regular and the nearest major airport to Djougou is Parakou Airport, where one can get direct flights to Cotonou, served by COTAIR. This airport is located around 135 kilometers from Djougou which can be reached by bus or rented vehicles.

The bus connection of Djougou extends to Parakou, Natitingou, Cotonou and many other northern and southern Beninese cities. By bus, to Cotonou from Djougou costs around 6.000 CFA and takes 7 hours.

Culture, Shopping and Food in Djougou:

The majority of populaces in Djougou is settled by Muslim citizens, followed by Christians. Dendi is a widely spoken language in Djougou.

Djougou houses all sorts of shops and restaurants with different modern features and specialties, although locally made items are popular among visitors.

Things to do in Djougou:

• Visiting national parks
• Hiking
• Cycling

Places of interest in and around Djougou:

Djougou Stadium:

The Djougou Stadium is the important landmark of the city of Djougou, used for football games and different cultural events including dance and music concerts.

Maison de Jeunesin:

The Maison de Jeunesin is a special attraction of Djougou featuring a big screen TV with continuous shows of football games. It is also a venue of other events and presentations.

Djougou Airport:

The Djougou Airport is a modern airport, situated around 3 kilometers away from the heart of the town of Djougou and visitors are allowed to see during day time.

Parakou:

Parakou is one of the important cities of Benin, situated around 130 kilometers away from Djougou. The city is famous for the international market Grand Marché Azeke, Musée en Plein Air de Parakou and Parakou Mosque. Parakou can be reached by bus from Djougou.

Pendjari National Park:

Located around 130 kilometers north of Djougou, the Pendjari National Park is home to around 300 different species of birds, including Pallid Harrier and Lesser Kestrel. The park also houses a wide range animal and flora species which attract lots of tourists throughout the year. It can be explored best through a guided tour.

List of other places of interest in and around Djougou include:

• Parakou Mosque
• Musée en Plein Air de Parakou
• The international market Grand Marché Azeke
• Cotonou Central Mosque
• W National Park
• Cotonou Cathedral
• Musée en Plein Air de Parakou
• Ancien Pont Bridge
• Basilique de l’Immaculée Conception
• Alexandre Sènou Adandé Ethnographic Museum
• Royal Palaces in Porto-Novo

Best time to visit Djougou:

Probably the beginning and ending months of the year are ideal to travel Djougou.

Accommodation options in and around Djougou:

Djougou houses few standard hotels, so it would be better if tourists reach nearby Parakou or Natitingou or the commercial capital, Cotonou. Here are some top end hotels in Cotonou, around 460 kilometers away from Djougou:

• Hotel du Lac
• Hotel du Port
• Sun Beach Hotel
• Sea View Hotel
• Hotel Le Zenith
• Myosotis Residence Hotel & Spa
• Ibis Cotonou
• Maison Rouge Cotonou
• Benin Marina Hotel
• Novotel Orisha Cotonou
• Rivoli Hotel Benin
• Benin Atlantic Beach Hotel
• Residences Celine Hotel
• Ancrage de l’Ocean
• Azalai Hotel De La Plage

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Cotonou is the commercial capital and the largest city of Benin located in the extreme southern part of the country on the Atlantic Ocean coast at 6°22′ N 2°26′ E, around 33 kilometers southwest of Porto Novo, the capital of Benin. Cotonou houses many important government and diplomatic offices of Benin and also hosts the National University of Benin.

Some important tourist favor features of Cotonou include the Cotonou Central Mosque, Cotonou Cathedral and Ancien Pont Bridge. The Dantokpa Market with around one billion CFA Francs business per day and the Port of Cotonou are the other highlights of Cotonou. Cotonou spans over an area of 79 square kilometers and at an elevation of 51 meters above the sea level.

History of Cotonou:

Earlier called Kotonou, Cotonou originated as a small fishing village in the beginning of the 19^th century and becoming a part of the French in 1851 with a treaty with the Dahomean King Ghezo, Cotonou began to develop since then.

How to reach Cotonou?

Cotonou hosts the most important airport of Benin, Cadjehoun Airport, is located around 7 km away from the heart of the city. Along with connection to most African capitals, Cadjehoun Airport also handles flights from Brussels and Paris.

Cotonou is linked to all the important Beninese cities by bus services, but its railway connection is limited to Bohicon and Parakou cities.

Culture, Shopping and Food in Cotonou:

Cotonou is culturally rich city home to many renowned cultural centers, including the French Institute’s Cultural Centre.

The Dantokpa Market is the center of the Cotonou and shopping of Cotonou is the largest local market in West Africa. Other than traditional handicraft products and clothes, visitors can also buy nice goodies imported from France here.

Some nice food corners in Cotonou are as follows:

• Mamma Mia
• Le Sorrento
• La cabane du pecheur
• Maquis du Port

Things to do in Cotonou:

• Beach exploration
• Learning local Fon language
• Walking

Tourist places in Cotonou:

Lake Nokoué:

Situated north of Cotonou, Lake Nokoué is a beautiful lake, measuring a length of 11 kilometers and a width of 20 kilometers. The water town of Ganvié is situated on the northern edge of the lake known for fishing, fish farming and boating and is the part of the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

Ancien Pont Bridge:

The Ancien Pont Bridge is one of the landmarks as well as tourist attractions of Cotonou known for its historic significance and grand constriction with a modern touch.

Cotonou Cathedral:

The Cotonou Cathedral is a symbolic structure featuring a blend burgundy and white striped architecture, situated in the proximity of the Ancient Pont Bridge, the Cotonou Cathedral serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cotonou.

Cotonou Central Mosque:

The Cotonou Central Mosque is the center of the Muslim devotees in Benin and can reach it by foot or vehicles from the city center.

National University of Benin:

The National University of Benin is the most important university of Benin holding 6 campuses and 19 institutions and its main campus at Abomey-Calavi and was established in the year 1970.

List of the other attractive places in Cotonou include:

• Dantokpa Market
• Cotonou Friendship Stadium
• Fondation Zinsou
• Bab’s Dock
• Coco Cocktail
• Fidjrosse Beach
• Marche Dantokpa
• Artisanal Center

Ideal time to visit Cotonou:

Cotonou experiences a tropical wet and dry climate and the ideal months to visit Cotonou are January, February, August and December.

Where to stay in Cotonou?

Being a commercial city and top tourist destination of Benin, Cotonou holds an upgraded hospitality industry with around 50 modernized accommodation centers, including resorts and spa, hotels, BB and inns of which most offer advance booking facility through online for visitor conveniences. The major hotels in Cotonou in Benin include:

• Ibis Cotonou
• Novotel Orisha Cotonou
• Myosotis Residence Hotel & Spa
• Hotel du Port
• Sun Beach Hotel
• Benin Atlantic Beach Hotel
• Azalai Hotel De La Plage
• Ancrage de l’Ocean
• Hotel Acropole
• Residence Ilefie
• Sea View Hotel
• Hotel Le Zenith
• Hotel de l’Entente
• Rivoli Hotel Benin
• Hotel Residence les Cocotiers

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Bohicon is a city, situated near the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Abomey, in the Zou Department in Benin, around 130 kilometers northwest of the country’s commercial capital, Cotonou. Bohicon is located at 07°12′00″ N 02°04′00″ E on the railway line leading from Cotonou to Parakou. The city of Bohicon covers an area of 44 square kilometers.

The most important landmarks of Bohicon include the Bohicon Railway Station, Bohicon Mosque and Collège Monseigneur Steinmetz. Bohicon is also home to a church belonging to the Jehovah’s Witnesses and a grand hotel, named Jardin de l’Hotel de Ville De Bohicon. Following Cotonou and Parakou, Bohicon is the 3^rd largest trade center of Benin.

History of Bohicon:

Bohicon is one of the modern cities of Benin, founded in the 20^th century with the establishment of the central market and the railway station. Bohicon was originally called Gboxicon which means “market sheep” indicating the wide sheep market in the area.

How to reach Bohicon?

The Cotonou Airport is the nearest major international airport to Bohicon and handles flights from Abidjan, Accra, Lomé, N’Djamena, Pointe, Accra, Malabo, Abidjan, Bamako, Nouakchott, Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam and many other Beninese and international destinations. The airport is located around 130 kilometers away from Bohicon which can be crossed by bus or train or bush taxi.

Due to its position on the Cotonou–Parakou railway line, Bohicon is easily accessible from all the major southern and northern Beninese cities by train.

Shopping and Food in Bohicon:

Bohicon is known for its upgraded textile industry with products like cushions and mattresses which are accessible at the local market of the city at reasonable prices.

Afitin is a local special food which can be tasted at The Maquis Malodie Market of Bohicon.

Things to do in Bohicon:

• Visiting archeological sites
• City tours
• Shopping

What to see in Bohicon?

Parc Archeologique d’Agongointo:

The Agongointo Archaeological Park or Parc Archeologique d’Agongointo is home to a group of 56 subterranean homes dating from the 17^th to 18^th centuries. It is allowed for visitors from 9:00am-5:00pm every day. Entrance fee, including a guided tour is 2.000F sofa. It is a must visit.

Bohicon Mosque:

The Bohicon Mosque is one of the religious sites, landmarks and tourist attractions of Bohicon. It is frequented by devotees year round for its holiness and tourists for its impressive construction.

The Maquis Malodie Market:

The Maquis Malodie Market is a famous among traders and also attract tourists for many stalls with a variety of traditional crispy and crunchy eateries including omelette.

The Royal Palaces of Abomey:

Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Royal Palaces of Abomey are one of the recognized historic tourist attractions of Algeria and is located in the nearby city, Abomey, around 10 kilometers away from Bohicon. These are more than 10 palaces and were built between 17^th and 19^th centuries during the Kingdom of Dahomey.

Musée Historique d’Abomey:

Located in Abomey, the Musée Historique d’Abomey is a museum describing the history of the Kingdom of Dahomey with artifacts and other well preserved objects from that period. Admission fee is CFA 2500 including a guided tour.

List of the other tourist attractions in Bohicon includes:

• Lycée Technique de Bohicon
• Collège Monseigneur Steinmetz
• Bohicon Railway Station
• The Jehovah’s Witnesses Church
• Chez Yemadje
• Palace of King Kpengla
• Palace of King Ghezo
• Palace of King Angoglo
• Palace of King Agaja

When to visit in Bohicon?

The best time to visit Bohicon is during the months between November and February.

Where to stay in Bohicon?

Bohicon houses a few modernized hotels and for more comfort, visitors can head towards nearby Abomey or the commercial capital of Benin, Cotonou, both of which are accessible by bus from Bohicon. The famous hotels in Bohicon, Abomey (10 kilometers) and Cotonou (130 kilometers) include:

• Hotel Dako Bohicon
• Jardin de l’Hotel de Ville De Bohicon
• Residence Marie-Josee Abomey
• Chez Monique Auberge a La Lune
• Auberge d’Abomey
• Chez Monique
• Le Raja Hotel
• Hotel Eden Airport
• Le Meridien Oran Hotel & Convention Centre
• Hotel Residence Le Timgad
• Hotel Residence Pomaria
• BEST WESTERN Hotel Colombe
• Hotel Eden Belabbes
• Best Western Plus Liberte Hotel

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Benin is an African country located in the western part of the continent, having borders with Nigeria towards the east, Burkina Faso and Niger towards the north and Togo towards the west and the Gulf of Guinea towards the south. Porto-Novo is the capital city while Cotonou is the largest city of Benin. Benin spans a total area of 115,000 square kilometers.

Agriculture is the backbone of the Benin economy and is one of the member countries of the United Nations, the African Union, La Francophonie and many other international organizations. The geographical coordinates of Benin are 8.8333° N, 2.1833° E.

History of Benin:

Benin received its present name on November 30, 1975 replacing its earlier name Dahomey and the today’s name derived from the Bight of Benin on which the nation is positioned. The Kingdom of Dahomey is the most important name in the Benin’s history, which ruled the Benin from the 17^th to the 19^th century and during that period, slavery was largely practiced in Dahomey. Following the end of slavery, the French occupied Dahomey in 1892 and ruled until 1960 when Benin became independent from France.

Connectivity to Benin:

Cadjehoun Airport is the most important airport of Benin, situated around 7 kilometers from Cotonou. This airport operates flights to and from many global destinations including Paris, Brussels, Douala, Nairobi, Istanbul, Amsterdam, and Moscow.

The intercity transportation of Benin is catered by both buses and trains. Confort Lines are the prominent bus company serving the Beninese cities and along the buses services, taxis and rental cars are commonly used.

Culture, Shopping and Food in Benin:

Fon and Yoruba are the widely communicated languages while French is the official language of Benin. Roman Catholics constitute the greater percentage of the Benin’s population, followed by Islam, Vodun and other religions.

The West African CFA franc is the currency used in Benin and for the shopping of traditional Beninese specialties, it is recommended for visitors to step towards Dantokpa Market in Cotonou.

Some kinds of practice cuisines in Benin are Wagasi cheese, Acarajé, Akpan, Aloko, Fufu and Garri.

Must see in Benin:

Cotonou Cathedral:

The Cotonou Cathedral is situated in the city of Cotonou in Benin, famous among visitors for its white and burgundy striped exterior architecture. This Roman Catholic cathedral gained the status of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cotonou in 1955.

Pendjari National Park:

A nature and adventure lovers’ area, the Pendjari National Park are spread over an area of 2755 square kilometers, housing a wide range of animal and bird species including West African lions, Western hartebeest, Violet Turaco and hippopotamuses. Tanguieta is the nearest city to the park.

W National Park:

Covering around total 10,000 square kilometers area of the three West African countries like Niger, Benin and Burkina Fas, the W National Park was established in August 4, 1954 and it gained space in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1996. Mammals are the highlights of the park, of which the most identified ones are cheetahs, elephants, baboons and hippopotamuses. In Benin, Kandi is the closest city to the W National Park.

Abomey:

Abomey is a city and the former capital of Benin, renowned for its historical palaces, of which most come under the UNESCO World Heritage Site List like Akaba Royal Palace, Palace of King Glele, Gbehanzin Royal Palace and Palace of King Tegbessu.

Cotonou Central Mosque:

The Cotonou Central Mosque is the focal point of the Muslim groups in Algeria, situated in the city of Cotonou. One can find a wide range of traditional hotels around the mosque.

List of the other attractive places in Benin include:

• Musée en Plein Air de Parakou
• Ancien Pont Bridge
• Royal Palace in Porto-Novo
• Basilique de l’Immaculée Conception
• Alexandre Sènou Adandé Ethnographic Museum

Ideal time to visit Benin:

The best and most popular time to visit Benin is from November to February when the weather remains dry and supportive for outdoor activities.

Where to stay in Benin?

The hospitality industry of Benin is concentrated in the city of Cotonou with around 50 modernized accommodation centers, including hotels, holiday rentals, resorts and BB and inns. Hotels price are not very much, affordable. Here are some top end hotels in Cotonou in Benin:

• Myosotis Residence Hotel & Spa
• Ibis Cotonou
• Maison Rouge Cotonou
• Benin Marina Hotel
• Novotel Orisha Cotonou
• Hotel du Lac
• Hotel du Port
• Sun Beach Hotel
• Benin Atlantic Beach Hotel
• Residences Celine Hotel
• Ancrage de l’Ocean
• Azalai Hotel De La Plage
• Sea View Hotel
• Hotel Le Zenith
• Rivoli Hotel Benin

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