Benin is one of the 17 countries that Nigerian passport holders can visit without visa in 2025, according to the Africa Visa Openness Index, an index which measures the extent to which each country in Africa is open to visitors from other African countries.
Benin which is a French-speaking West African nation, is a birthplace of the vodun (or “voodoo”) religion and home to the former Dahomey Kingdom from circa 1600–1900. In Abomey, Dahomey’s former capital, the Historical Museum occupies two royal palaces with bas-reliefs recounting the kingdom’s past and a throne mounted on human skulls. To the north, Pendjari National Park offers safaris with elephants, hippos and lions.
When visiting the Benin Republic, visitors can consider visiting: Cotonou (for its bustling markets like Dantokpa), Ouidah (known for the Temple of Pythons), Porto-Novo (the capital city with Portuguese influence), Abomey (the “Royal City” with rich history), and Grand-Popo (for its relaxing beaches).
Cotonou:
Cotonou is a large port city on the south coast of Benin, in West Africa, offering a vibrant cultural experience with its bustling markets like Dantokpa where you can find local crafts and spices.
Ouidah:
Ouidah is a city in southern Benin, in West Africa. It’s known for its role in the 17th- to 19th-century Atlantic slave trade. The Slave Route, a track down which slaves were taken to the ships, is lined with monuments and leads to the Door of No Return, an memorial arch on the waterfront. The Ouidah Museum of History, based in an 18th-century Portuguese fort, chronicles the city’s slave-trading past.
A significant site for those interested in Vodou traditions, particularly the Temple of Pythons where you can see many pythons.
Porto-Novo:
Porto-Novo is Benin’s capital city, showcasing Portuguese influence and a more relaxed atmosphere compared to Cotonou.
Porto-Novo is a port city and the capital of Benin, in West Africa. It’s known for colonial buildings like the Brazilian-style Great Mosque, formerly a church. The Ethnographic Museum displays ceremonial masks, musical instruments and costumes. The Musée da Silva recounts Benin’s history and celebrates Afro-Brazilian culture. Just east, the Honmé Museum was King Toffa’s 19th-century royal palace.
Abomey:
Considered the “Royal City” with a rich history and notable museums, famous for its skilled artisans in weaving, jewellery, and woodcarving.
Abomey is a city in southern Benin. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Dahomey from the 17th to 19th centuries and is home to 12 royal palaces from that period, most now in ruins. The surviving palaces of Ghézo and Glélé form the Historical Museum of Abomey, which features bas-reliefs on the palace walls and a throne mounted on human skulls. A nearby artisan centre sells traditional crafts like appliqué textiles.
Grand-Popo:
Grand-Popo is a coastal destination with beautiful beaches, ideal for relaxing and enjoying the scenery.
Grand-Popo is a small town in the far southwest of Benin, known for its voodoo culture. Once a major slave port, the town is now celebrated for its long beach lined with coconut palms. On the main road, Villa Karo is a Finnish-African cultural centre with an art exhibition. Nearby, Marché de Grand-Popo is a local market next to the Mono River. La Bouche du Roi marks the point where the river enters the Atlantic Ocean.
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