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Benin Cotonou travel guide
10 things to do in Cotonou. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Cotonou
- Cotonou Cathedral — building in Africa (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Fondation Zinsou — Cotonou, Benin (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Amazon Monument — monument in Cotonou, Benin (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Presidential Palace, Cotonou — presidential palace in Benin (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Red Star Square (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Cotonou Central Mosque — mosque in Cotonou, Benin (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Place du Souvenir — monument in Cotonou, Benin (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Musée des sciences naturelles de Cotonou — museum in Benin (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Petit Musée de la Récade — Beninese museum of recade (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Olympic Museum of Benin — museum in Benin (visit ≈ 120 min)
2-day Cotonou walking itinerary
Starting point: City centre. The top 6 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 8.6 km · 11,570 steps · 1 h 54 min on the way): Red Star Square → Cotonou Central Mosque → Place du Souvenir → Amazon Monument → Presidential Palace, Cotonou
- Day 2 (≈ 7.1 km · 9,610 steps · 1 h 34 min on the way): Cotonou Cathedral
Good to know before visiting Cotonou
- Fine: Photographing military sites, airports, bridges and government buildings is prohibited.
- Warning: Check official advice for northern border areas.
- Warning: Malaria is a risk; ask your doctor about prevention and use repellent.
- Warning: A yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required on entry.
- Respect rules at Vodun sacred sites and ask before taking photos.
- Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change often; check official government sources before you travel.
- Emergency: police 117, fire 118
- Plugs: C/E, 220V
- Tap water: Don't drink tap water; use bottled.
- Tipping: About 10% is customary.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Benin, Wikivoyage — Benin, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Cotonou travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Cotonou?
- The top 6 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel.
- What are the top things to do in Cotonou?
- Highlights: Cotonou Cathedral, Fondation Zinsou, Amazon Monument, Presidential Palace, Cotonou and Red Star Square. The map has 10 things to do in total.
- What is the emergency number in Cotonou?
- Emergency: police 117, fire 118.
- Do you tip in Cotonou?
- About 10% is customary.
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