Must See

Abomey

Abomey, situated about 100 km (60 miles) northeast of the capital Porto Novo, was once a capital of one of the great west African kingdoms in pre-colonial times. The Fon king continues to reside there.

The town contains twisted alleyways that lead off main roads, lined with banco houses. There is an excellent museum covering the history of the Abomey kingdoms (with a throne made of human skulls) and the intriguingly named Fetish Temple. Visitors may also want to explore the nearby Centre Artisanal where local craft products are sold at reasonable prices. The royal palace in the centre of town is a vast complex of palaces, as each descendent built a new extension and would not live in his predecessors quarters.

Atakora

In Atakora province, Betamaribe settlements straddling the Togolese border are called tata somba 'Somba houses'; they are famous for their fortifications, with livestock housed inside and the people sleeping in huts among the granaries on the roofs.

Cotonou

The largest city and commercial capital is Cotonou, which has a market, the Dan Tokpa that is normally open every four days. The museum here is well worth a visit too.

Ganvie

Ganvié is a fishing village sitting in the water on stilts at the western shore of Lac Nokoue. Over 15,000 people live in the wood and thatch houses that rise out of the water, using pirogues as transport over the lake. The majority rely on fishing for their income, and women sell market goods from their canoes.

Porto Novo

The capital city of Benin contains many examples of colonial and pre-colonial art and architecture. The Ethnological Museum has a wide range of exhibits.

Voodoo

Also known as Vodun, voodoo is the official religion of Benin, and signifies a spirit, demigod, or intermediary. Voodoo priests are able to channel the emotions, often using a fetish, which is an object imbued with sacred power. They believe in a supreme God, Mawu, male or female, sometimes a couple, Mawu-Lisa, who created the universe. Lesser divinities have power of certain aspects on earth and possess or help the priests. The National Vodun Holiday is celebrated on January 10.

Ouidah

The town of Ouidah is the spiritual capital of vodun (voodoo), and is known locally as 'glexwe'. It was a major slaving port under Portuguese occupation, but is now quiet, with cracking French colonial architecture and sagging porches. The Temple of the Sacred Python is found here; the snakes are an authentic part of fetish practice, and now a tourist attraction. Other local temples may give a truer picture of the religion. The town is also notable for its old Portuguese fort. There are some good beaches at Ouidah; however, tides and currents can render the sea very dangerous and only the strongest swimmers should venture in at certain places.

Wildlife

Visitors can see a wide range of wildlife including cheetahs, hippos and crocodiles at Benin's two national parks: Pendjari (open between December and June) and the 'W' National Park. The 'W' straddles the frontier region between Niger, Benin and Burkina Faso and is less developed than Pendjari.