Destinations & Things To Do
Discover the Best Places to Visit in Benin: Top Tourist Attractions
Stay connected with Airtel’s international roaming plans as you uncover Benin’s best places to visit, ensuring seamless communication while exploring West Africa’s hidden gem, from historic sites to vibrant markets and stunning landscapes.
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Benin, a sliver of a country nestled in West Africa, is often overlooked by travellers. Yet those who venture here are rewarded with a rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty. Voodoo rituals, slave trade relics, stilted lake villages, and wildlife-rich savannas—Benin’s tourist places are as diverse as they are intriguing.
In 2019, 1.2 million tourists visited Benin—a 3.9% increase from the previous year. And it’s easy to see why this unassuming nation is drawing more attention. From the bustling markets of Cotonou to the UNESCO-listed palaces of Abomey, Benin offers a window into a fascinating corner of Africa.
So, what are the best places to visit in Benin? Let’s dive in and discover the most captivating spots in this under-the-radar destination.
1. Cotonou: Benin’s Economic Hub
Cotonou, Benin’s largest city and economic capital, is the gateway for most visitors. This sprawling metropolis of 1.2 million people hums with energy. Dantokpa Market, one of West Africa’s biggest bazaars, is a must-visit. Thousands of stalls sell everything from colourful wax prints to voodoo fetishes. It’s chaotic, crowded, and utterly captivating.
Other Cotonou highlights include:
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Cotonou Cathedral: A striking modernist church
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Fondation Zinsou: A contemporary art museum
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Fidjrossè Beach: A popular strip of sand lined with beach bars
2. Ouidah: The Birthplace of Voodoo
Just 42 km west of Cotonou lies Ouidah, the historic heart of Benin’s voodoo culture. This small town was a major slave trading post in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, it’s known for its annual Voodoo Festival on January 10th, which draws thousands of devotees and curious onlookers.
Places to visit in Ouidah include:
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Python Temple: Home to dozens of sacred snakes
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Door of No Return: A memorial arch on the beach marking the slaves’ final departure point
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Sacred Forest: A small patch of woods with voodoo shrines and statues
3. Ganvie: The Venice of Africa
Ganvie is a remarkable village perched on stilts in the middle of Lake Nokoué. Founded in the 16th century by people fleeing slave raiders, it’s now home to 20,000 residents who live entirely on the water. Wooden pirogues serve as taxis, floating markets sell produce, and fishermen cast nets from their front porches.
Visitors can:
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Take a guided boat tour through the village
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Visit the bustling lake market
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Eat fresh fish at a floating restaurant
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Getting to Ganvie |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Location |
Lake Nokoué, 27 km north of Cotonou |
|
Transport |
Hire a motorized pirogue from Abomey-Calavi |
|
Tour Length |
2-3 hours |
|
Cost |
Around 10,000 CFA (€15) per boat |
4. Abomey: The Ancient Kingdom of Dahomey
The small town of Abomey, 135 km north of Cotonou, was once the capital of the powerful Kingdom of Dahomey. From the 17th to 19th centuries, Dahomey was a major West African state involved in the slave trade. The kings built lavish palaces known for their intricate bas-reliefs—which are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Top attractions in Abomey:
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Royal Palaces of Abomey: A 40-hectare complex of 12 royal palaces
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Abomey Historical Museum: Houses a collection of thrones, tapestries, and other royal artefacts
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King Glele Square: Site of a former slave market
5. Pendjari National Park: A Wildlife Haven
In Benin’s far north lies Pendjari National Park, one of West Africa’s best wildlife-viewing spots. This 2,755 sq km reserve is part of the WAP Complex, a massive trans-border park spanning Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Its savanna woodlands and floodplains are home to elephants, lions, cheetahs, baboons, and more than 300 bird species.
Park activities include:
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Game drives to spot wildlife
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Guided nature walks
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Boat trips on the Pendjari River
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Visits to nearby Batammariba villages known for their two-story mud-brick houses
Pendjari is remote—750 km from Cotonou. But the chance to see Benin’s wild side makes it one of the country’s most beautiful places.
More of Benin’s Best Tourist Places
While the above are Benin’s heavy hitters, there are plenty of other famous places in Benin worth exploring:
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Porto-Novo: The low-key capital city is known for its Afro-Brazilian architecture and museums
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Grand Popo: A quiet beach town near the Togo border with good surfing and turtle nesting sites
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Savalou: A hilly town famed for its sacred Mamelles mountains and voodoo shrines
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Natitingou: The gateway to northern Benin, with a great ethnographic museum
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Boukoumbé: A scenic village known for its traditional Tata Somba houses
Essential Benin Travel Tips
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Best time to visit: The dry season (November to April) has the most pleasant weather. The coolest months are July-September.
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Getting around: Bush taxis are the main way to travel between cities. Hiring a car and driver is convenient but pricey. Zemidjan motorcycle taxis zip around towns.
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Money matters: Benin uses the West African CFA franc. ATMs are common in cities but rare in rural areas. Credit cards are only accepted at upscale hotels.
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Health and safety: Benin is a relatively safe country. Take standard precautions like avoiding walking alone at night. Malaria is a risk—take prophylaxis and use bug spray. Drink only bottled or filtered water.
Staying Connected in Benin with Airtel
While Benin’s tourist places are a joy to explore, staying connected can be a challenge. Wi-Fi is patchy, and buying a local SIM card as a foreigner involves paperwork. The easiest solution? An international roaming pack from your home provider.
For Indian travellers, Airtel’s Postpaid international roaming plans are a great option. You’ll have reliable internet to book hotels, navigate, and share your Benin adventures on the go. It’s one less hassle, so you can focus on soaking up all this fascinating country has to offer.
From the buzzing streets of Cotonou to the wild reaches of Pendjari, Benin’s top tourist places offer a tantalizing glimpse into an Africa few get to see. With a spirit of adventure and an open mind, you’ll find this small nation leaves a big impression. Whether you’re exploring voodoo culture in Ouidah, spotting elephants in Pendjari, or navigating the floating world of Ganvie, Benin promises a journey you won’t soon forget.
So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your Benin odyssey and get ready to discover the best this hidden gem has to offer. Adventure awaits in the heart of West Africa.
Leaving the motel room where I’d rested the past 3 nights felt a little sad but I wanted to be moving again. I grabbed a sandwich for lunch and another for the road from a cute deli nearby too. This did mean I got to the trail a little late though, roughly 2:30. My stupid ankle was hurting again now and it made the walk fairly unpleasant. I got to Red’s Meadow where I’d heard they were serving ice cream but it was the evening now and it looked like they had closed down for the day. My mood already low and not wanting to pay for camping, I continued onward instead, forgetting that they also had a hot spring.
I ended up finding a tiny tent site nearby Sotcher Lake and grumpily set up there. Lesson learned here; try not to spiral. My ankle hurting led me to skip past Red’s Meadow which meant I missed the hot spring there.
Day 83: Uneventful Days
The night was cold and I slept in then had a slow morning. My pack was heavy and I was moving slowly which, combined with getting out of camp late, limited my miles today; I barely did 12. I ate lunch at a campground and had to scare away an particularly industrious Stellar’s Jay who kept trying to get to my food. I respect the effort but this food is for me, little bird.
The rest of the walk was largely uneventful. The entire day was one long but thankfully gradual uphill and the views of the valley and surrounding mountains only got better. I continued to churn through audiobooks as they were kinda the only thing keeping me going. I ended up making camp on the side of a mountain with a gorgeous valley below. It was surprisingly well-sheltered for being up on a ridge. I ate dinner staring out at the snowcapped peaks and the trees and lakes below.
Day 84: Donohue Pass; Into Yosemite!
The night was again cold and I was glad my habit of stuffing my water filter into my sleeping bag had stayed so consistent this trail. For the curious, our water filters are vulnerable to freezing. If the water inside turns to ice it will expand and compromise the filter in a way that is almost undetectable. Usually this is only a risk at night thankfully so simply going to sleep with it usually means it will stay warm.
The morning was fairly unremarkable as I walked to the base of Donohue Pass, save for Thousand Island Lake which was absolutely gorgeous. I met a hiker called Trooper there before taking my lunch and nap. Afterwards I began the climb and while going up I began to hear distant thunder. It remained distant thankfully which was a very good thing as I was well above the tree line and with limited places to take cover. The numerous marmots showed no fear of course; must be nice having a hole you can retreat to. Thankfully there was almost no snow on the ground so although the ascent was steep it did go quickly.
As I reached highest point and crossed into Yosemite National Park snow flurries started and the thunder suddenly got louder. I could see it was raining a few miles ahead in the valley below. Wanting to get below the tree line in case the storm turned my way, I hustled downhill, the fast speed also helping to keep me warm on a day that had turned quite cold. The snow intermittently fell all the way down though it was thankfully mild. There were many JMT hikers around again too.
While descending on a gravely switchback, my shoes suddenly lost traction on the rocks underneath me and before I knew it I was falling. Falling backwards thankfully, not forwards or to the side down the mountain. I cried out in expectation of the painful impact of my butt on the earth but to my surprise it never came. Sitting there I realized my pack had cushioned the fall almost completely, turning a bone-jarring jolt into just a bit of a jerk to my hips. Thank you, backpack.
I camped that evening in Lyell Canyon, enjoying the gorgeous meadows surrounded by the sharp canyon walls. Remembering my fall, I inspected my shoes and discovered that the tread was seriously worn down. The shoes it seemed were near their end of life and I suddenly realized that they were probably contributing to my ankle irritation now that they could no longer provide sufficient support. Clearly new shoes were in my future.
Day 85: Burgers in Tuolumne Meadows
The day began with a nice, gradual downhill through beautiful meadows. I passed many JMT hikers but started to see more and more day hikers as I approached Tuolumne Meadows. Suddenly, the trail joined with a well-paved road and I abruptly re-entered civilization. Cars were passing, tourists were walking about goggling at the sights, and at least two groups of deer were practically posing for photos.
I reached Tuolumne Meadows Grill right at lunch time. The hunger was in full swing and I consumes two burgers, fries, a salad, and a soda while my electronics charged. It was reasonably priced too, a surprise for such a touristy area!
I headed out around 3, quickly running into Myles and Swing Set who I’d met in Mammoth. We hiked together past multiple waterfalls and vast views. Yosemite felt noticeably different than the previous stretch of the Sierra; the mountains felt lower but rocker somehow. I camped that night at Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp, quite close to the base of Tuolumne Falls. I was still full from those lunch burgers too so slept early.
Trail Stats:
Catholes: 28
Stops to filter water: 117
Resupplies: 14
Hitches: 15
Zeros: 15
Crys on trail: 12
Blisters: 12
Gear repairs: 19
Miles Skipped: 212.3
Significant Water Crossings: 75
Falls: 1
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To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.
Destinations & Things To Do
Iran Now Joins The UNWTO Top 20 Global Tourism Destinations, Showcasing its Strong Recovery and Growing International Appeal Made Through Heritage, Culture, and Strategic Reforms
Sunday, July 20, 2025
Sitting, now, among the top 20 tourist destinations, for the first quarter of 2025 according to the latest figures released by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). This is a milestone that marks how far Iran has come in tourism aspects, a testament to a maturing policy environment, sector resilience and improved global perception as a safe, culturally rich and diverse travel destination.
Tremendous Increase in International Tourism Arrivals
One of the highest growths in the region, as UNWTO publishes first World Tourism Barometer of the year According to the UNWTO report, international tourist arrivals to Iran increased from 4.9 million in 2017 to 7.3 million in 2018, the best growth amongst the 40 most visited countries in theos world. This significant growth has been thanks to several strategic measures such as efficient government planning, huge growth in infrastructure and proactive attempts to give a positive turn to the country’s global image.
That increase in the number of visitors not only reflects the country’s natural potential for tourism but also reveals how it has successfully dealt with historical misinterpretations. The strong numbers reflect Iran’s dedication to welcoming international tourists alongside the country’s ever-expanding number of historical attractions, diverse landscapes, and a rich cultural heritage, while also serving as a testament to the world’s proclivity to see past political headlines and to not confuse individual people from a country with wider… political issues.
Strategic Initiatives Driving Tourism Development
Given this focus on digital engagement, Iranian tourism officials have undertaken a complete digital overhauling. Key features of the Trust’s programme is the programme is the next step for the Trust in using advanced audience insights to create personalized, engaging web experiences. Future developments are set to include an interactive travel guide aimed at enthralling prospective tourists with Iran’s long history, rich culture and beautiful scenery, using rich multimedia to tell the country’s story.
What’s more, tapping into social media has become a key prong of Iran’s tourism approach. By leveraging local storytelling and genuine stories, India aims to strike a chord with the world, i.e., ‘A chord is struck when the world connects with such stories, enabling a room for genuine interest and curiosity for potential travellers’.
Focused Efforts in Strategic Branding
Iran’s tourism ministry is also involving homegrown and foreign professionals to make riveting multimedia content. The purpose of this branding campaign is to elevate the visibility of Iran on international stages and introduce to the world the unparalleled attractions of this country. Local talent meets global branding know-how: Iran has set itself up to draw in a wide spectrum of global travellers, ensuring steady tourism growth.
Infrastructure and Access: The Foundations of Tourism Development
Improvement of the infrastructure has also contributed to Iran’s success in tourism. Excellent transportation systems, accommodations, and guest facilities have made tourism easy and comfortable. Such developments have been instrumental in helping Iran emerge as one of the hottest destinations in the world, providing the facilities of accessibility and comfort for the world travelers.
The powerful part of Iran experience is the wide range variety of cultural heritage you will find there. With its historic legacy (The ruins of Persepolis and Isfahan’s cultural and architectural splendor) and various and complex landscapes of deserts, mountains and coastlines, the country offers a wide range and variety of experiences for adventure-seekers. “Promotion of different aspects of Iranian tourism has been highly effective in promoting the country as a global tourist destination. However, by pushing these features using targeted marketing, this has helped to greatly increase Iran’s overall tourism profile globally.
Economic and Social Impacts
Rising tide of international tourists Having thousands of foreign visitors adds up significantly to the country’s economy and welfare. Tourism plays a role in driving local economies, supporting jobs and fostering cultural interaction. Such enhanced interaction would not merely lead to more economic welfare, but also pave the way for greater global knowledge and respect for Iran’s unique culture and past.
Future Prospects: Sustaining Momentum for Tourism in Iran
In the future, the further development and expansion of Iran’s tourism industry will depend largely on ongoing policy innovation, effective marketing, and investment in infrastructure. The country’s success in being an early adopter of digital platforms, strategic branding and authentic storytelling will become essential in sustaining the winning momentum.
The fact that Iran is considered one of the world’s most sought after tourism destinations is an important step in globalizing and diversifying the economy. The list of winners is our place at the top 30! We believe that if we take advantage of this win, we can make Iran Muslim Friendly Destination as a more popular place among tourists in the world for the next years.
- Hightower Parking Lot (908.8) zero at Country View Lodging, Elkton, VA
- 0 feet ascent, 0 feet descent
We assessed the heat damage. It was not inconsequential. Three days hiking in 100 degree weather had taken its toll. I was covered in heat rash, some so bad I could not move without pain. The Historian was feeling very weak. We both felt hot to the touch, even after an overnight sleep in an air conditioned room.
We decided it would be unwise to go back out to try to hike. Heat exhaustion is real and can be dangerous. We didn’t want to end our hike or put others at risk if we needed help. Hike Smart. The sign at the beginning of the Shennandoah told us that. We smartly requested another night. The heat was supposed to peak today.
Our Kingdom for the Day
Our room was delightful. We had two double beds, one to sleep on and one became the continent for pack explosions.
It was a luxury to be able to sort our resupply and rumage through our gear without bending over.
We Even Have a Kitchen
We did not expect a kitchenette but there was one. We availed ourselves of all its glories.
The Historian braved the heat to get ice from the office. After giving us “water with treats,” he put the ice bucket in the freezer. Clever man. We had ice all day.
Water with Treats
I should explain what water with treats is. We dream of it on the trail and discuss it often. We had a dog who loved ice cubes out of the refrigerator door. She would sit below the fridge and stare longingly after ice dispenser, I suppose dreaming of an opposable thumb. We were careful never to let her see how it worked when we offered her “treats”. Over time, she trained us to give her ice cubes in her water, aka “water with treats.”
In the heat we guzzeled warm water from our bottles dreaming of it having treats. Today, we had water with treats.
Grocery Delivery
We had leftover pizza for breakfast. By second breakfast we wanted real food. After last night’s 1 1/2 hour delivery saga of right room number, wrong hotel, we were concerned.
I also needed more medicated powder for my heat rash. Quite by accident, I discoved the grocery store had delivery. We could get our chores done without leaving the confines of our Kingdom for the Day.
I filled our shopping cart and took a lot out. Finally, I was satisfied. Not too much but plenty of what we wanted.
The groceries arrived flawlessly. Our shopper had called to see about apples. They were only available in 3 pound bags. I asked her if she could use the extra apples and she said she could. We took three for us, plenty to carry and gave her the rest. It was a good compromise.
Our Main Meal
I rehydrate our home dehydrated pork with green tomatoes. We added this to a salad. It was so very satisfying.
We feasted on wet food all day. The watermelon and other fruits were particularly satisfying. After days of poor calorie consumption due to the heat (except for our wayside affair!) it was good to be able to eat and not be nauseated.
ET Call Home
When I was on the trail in 1975, we communicated by letter mostly. When I came to town, I would look for a phone booth and call family collect. We had to keep the calls short as they were very expensive. If I remember correctly, it was about a dollar a minute. Calls were interrupted by a human operator at 3 minutes to remind you how much money you were spending.
Now days, the most common association with pay phones is the Tardis from Dr Who.
The motel had a real, working payphone!
We did not call home on the pay phone, but we did take time to communicate with family. The support and love of family has not changed since 1975.
This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek’s ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!
To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.
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