The Republic of Benin is a beautiful coastal country located off the coast of West Africa. There are so many adventurous things to do in Benin Republic. Benin Republic is a West African country that shares a border with Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso and Niger. It’s a small country with so many adventurous things to do. The country is one of the most beautiful destinations to visit in West Africa. This is due to its rich historical heritage, diverse culture, nature experience, and it’s beautiful people. It is also known as the Republic of Benin. In French, it is République du Bénin. The country has a population of over ten million people. The major languages are French, Fon and Yoruba languages.
There are so many adventurous things to do in Benin Republic and lots of adventurous places to visit too. Below is a list of adventurous things to do in Benin Republic.
Popular Cities in the Benin Republic
The capital of Benin Republic is Porto Novo however the seat of Government is in Cotonou. Cotonou is the most popular city in the country. These are the list of the most popular cities to visit in the country.
- Cotonou
- Porto Novo
- Ouidah
- Parakou
- Abomey
- Djougou
- Bohicon
Also Read: How to Travel From Lagos, Nigeria To Benin Republic
Things to Do In Benin Republic
One of the things that will guarantee you a sweet stay, is to have a planned itinerary of what you are going to do when you visit. To make your visit a memorable one, we have made a list of the things to do when you visit Benin.
Visit the Royal Palaces of Abomey
The Royal Palaces of Abomey is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has become is one of the popular places to visit in Benin Republic. It was built between the 17th and the 19th century. It is the ancestral home of the King of Dahomey. The Royal palace is has 12 Palaces built on 20 hectares of land. It was founded by the people of Fon in 1625. The palace was home to the 12 Kings who ruled the Kingdom of Dahomey.
Go on a Boat Cruise
This country is blessed with abundance of water, making it a good spot for water sporting activities. The water looks clean which makes it a perfect spot for boat cruise.
Shopping at the Local Market
One of the things you should add to your list of things to do in the Republic of Benin is shopping at a local market. It is one of the most adventurous things you should add to your list. This country has beautiful markets where you can buy souvenirs, jewellery, clothing items etc
Enjoy the Local and Street Food: Another adventurous thing you can do at Benin Republic is to try the local foods. It has an array of spicy foods which a combination of local and intercontinental dishes. Bring your taste buds to life, try out some of its local delicacies.
Enjoy the Night Life
The country has interesting night-life with nightclubs, lounges, bars, restaurants etc. At night, the city comes to life, you may never can tell until you try it for yourself.
Attend the Annual Festivals
Due to its rich cultural benefits, Benin Republic has different annual festivals. This is a must when next you visit. Watch the display of the different cultural heritage, dance, music and so on.
Lodge and Enjoy the Breathtaking View of Casa Del Papa
Casa Del Papa is one of the most beautiful resorts in the Republic of Benin. It is a beach resort located in the city of Ouidah. It has a lagoon and a sea view giving you access to both worlds.
Casa Del Papa is the definition of crystal white sand, a well-manicured garden, greeneries, a friendly lagoon and a lovely beach view.
Things to Do at Casa Del Papa, Benin Republic
Lodge at Djegba Hotel
Djegba Hotel is another beautiful resort in the Republic of Benin, it is also located in Ouidah. The hotel is an affordable luxury hotel in Ouidah. Djegba resort comes with a lovely pool, a beautiful garden and state of the art facilities. Djegba Hotel is also close to the ocean. It is less than a 3 minute walk to the Atlantic Ocean which makes it an awesome destination.
Do a City Tour
One of the things you can do when you visit the Republic of Benin is to do a city tour. The city has beautiful views, historic buildings, beautiful landscape and lovely scenes. Some of the popular places to visit include Cotonou Airport road, Cotonou Cadjehoun Airport, Porto Novo, Ouidah etc.
Visit Fidjrosse Beach
The Republic of Benin has so many beautiful beaches. Fidjrosse beach is one of the most popular beaches in Benin republic. It is characterised by crystal white sand, beautiful palm trees and beautiful beach huts. These stretches the length and breadth of the beach. The beach is one of the places you should visit when you travel to Benin Republic. During the weekend, it is also known for its entertainment and recreational activities. The Fidjrosse beach also comes alive at night making it a perfect destination for tourists and beach lovers. Fidjrosse beach is located in Cotonou.
Learn History at Ouidah Museum
The Ouidah Museum is one of the historical buildings in the Republic of Benin. The structure was built by the Portuguese during the Slave trade era. The museum is constructed on one hectare of land. It contains collections of archaeological and slave relics. It also has a rich collection of Benin history and cultural traditions. The museum was reconstructed and reopened in 1967.
Beautiful artworks at Zinsou Foundation
The Zinsou Foundation is an exhibition centre. It is an art gallery with different collections of contemporary African artworks. Zinsou Foundation is also known as Foundation Zinsou is an exhibition centre for contemporary African artworks and creativity. It has become one of the popular places to visit in the Republic of Benin.
Bab’s Dock
Another unmissable thing you must do at the Benin Republic is to Visit Bab’s Dock. Babs Doc is the definition of nature at its finest. It is an European style restaurant located by the lake which makes it a perfect spot for water sporting activities. You can also get a boat ride along the mangrove. Bab’s Dock comes with fine dining, beautiful setup
Visit the Python Python
This is one of the most visited places in Benin Republic. It is located in Ouidah. It is a sacred temple dedicated to the pythons. Pythons are sacred animals in the Republic of Benin. This temple is being managed by the priests of Dangbe. It features different species of domesticated pythons. You can get adventurous by taking pictures with these serpents. Another popular attraction at the Temple of Python is the sacred tree which is over 700 years. You can also learn more about ceremonial activities and the Dangbe people.
The Door of No Return Ouidah, Benin (La Porte Du Non Retour, Ouidah)
The Door of no return holds serves as a remembrance of one of the most brutal slave trade stories. It has a monument that serves as a remembrance of the slave trade era. The slave monument was built in 1995. The door of no return has become of the most interesting places to visit. This is why you should add it to your list of top things to do in the Republic of Benin.
Place des Martyrs
Place des Martyrs is a historical statue to commemorate the martyrs. A remembrance for the strength and heroic acts of the people that fought and died for the stability of the country. It represents strength, courage and leadership.
Pendjari National Park
The Pendjari National Park is another popular attraction in the Benin Republic. It spans thousands of acres of land. If you are looking for a safari experience in Benin, this park will wow you. The Pendjari National Park has a considerable amount of elephants, snakes, buffalo, monkeys, lions. It has over 100 species of wildlife. It should be on your list of adventurous things to do when you visit.
Lake Ganvie Village
Ganvie is a floating village built on Lake Ganvie. It is a village built on water that spreads across the lake. One of the major attractions of Ganvie is the beautiful huts that stretch on lake Ganvie. Another attraction is the floating market built on a section of the lake.
Are you planning to visit the Republic of Benin soon? These are some of the adventurous things you can do in the Republic of Benin. Perhaps, if you had visited before, are there any other adventurous activities in Benin Republic? Please kindly comment below.