The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Benin, Benin
Discover the best top things to do in Benin, Benin including Fondation Zinsou, Lac Nokoue, Musee de la Fondation Zinsou, Marche Dantokpa, Palais des rois d'Abomey, La Porte Du Non Retour, Ouidah Museum of History, Fidjrosse Beach, Ethnographique Museum of Porto Novo, Temple des Pythons.
Restaurants in Benin
1. Fondation Zinsou
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
Reviewed By 70ava - Beijing, China
modern, informative, free and good guiding. It was easily worth the 1.5 hours we spent there. Have a look at their shop and furniture covers - extremely colorful
2. Lac Nokoue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By 405robertw405
Well worth a trip to this interesting village with all buildings on stilt over the lake. Went with a local so no trouble finding dock for boats or negotiating price. Fees really minimal and a bargain if going in a group since boat was a flat rate. Our boat had a young man who offered to act as a guide "for whatever we wished to pay" though there was a suggestion of CFA5000 - less than $10. Stanislaus said he was a resident, told us all about the history and explained how the fishing works. Was open to any question and though he spoke very little English he spoke slowly in clear French making most of the tour understandable to my limited French. Only two stops to shop and nothing at all pushy in either place. They were pleasant interludes. All in all a fascinating half day visit in a country not long on things to do in down time/
3. Musee de la Fondation Zinsou
4. Marche Dantokpa
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By J2992XGlucar
Beautiful, colourful, smelly, crowdy street market where you can find almost everything you may need. Get prepared to negotiate for hours for every little thing. The only non-negotiable prices are for wax tissues (there are so many!). Definitely my favourite place in Cotonou.
5. Palais des rois d'Abomey
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 91 reviews
Reviewed By Boguszooo - Krakow, Poland
Its a little difficult for an European to be impressed by these few clay-based, single story bulidings. They are ancient by the standards in Benin, as they have been constructed around 1830-ish. Unfortunately they did not refurbish ANY of the furniture, maps & graphics hanging on the walls. Most of them are impossible to read. They have a much venerated grave of the king Ghezo, which they believe is still with us, as the hut was supposed to be his room. There used to be furniture, but they threw it out, and nobody cared enough to even put a random bed and some chairs there to pretend that they are the originals. There are a few artifacts in the museum - some of them very interesting but in high state of disrepair. By that I mean that they are literally falling apart. The famous throne with 4 skulls is in a glass cabinet so dirty that you can barely see the shape of that throne. But dont be discouraged by all this. Get a guide to tell you the stories behind all that and you will really enjoy your time.
6. La Porte Du Non Retour
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 124 reviews
Reviewed By 122achillet
While visiting the slavery historical.city of Ouidah, this is one of the must seen site to better understand the approach used by thos eho entertained this horrible trade for years. This represents one of the process to be followed to enable slaves to forget about their roots and history once they embarked in the journey to their new destinations where they will serve as merchandise.
7. Ouidah Museum of History
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By JamesFFC - Maidenhead, United Kingdom
It is well worth walking the whole of the Route des esclaves. You can start from the Ouidah Museum of History and end at the gate of no return. The museum itself has some fascinating images showing the assimilation that took place from west African slaves bringing food, dance, and culture over to the Americas. The artifacts and images from the slave trade are horrific and it really makes you think about the dreadful conditions these people were forced into. Well worth the time to tour around. Entrance is free although, at the end of the tour, you donate what you want to the guide. Guides can be conducted in both French and English.
8. Fidjrosse Beach
9. Ethnographique Museum of Porto Novo
10. Temple des Pythons
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 119 reviews
Reviewed By Boguszooo - Krakow, Poland
The temple is rather small, but they do have a room full of snakes - I would estimate 30-40 pythons of various sizes. You can safely take them in your hand and make the obligatory photos with the snake calmly resting on your neck (or in your hands). Its definitely a must-see when you are in Ouidah!
