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🇧🇯 Benin

The birthplace of voodoo, the remarkable stilt city of Ganvié and the palaces of the Dahomey kingdom — Benin is one of West Africa's most culturally rich destinations.

eVisa 📅 Best: Nov–Feb (dry) 💵 $85/day avg
🏙️
Capital
Porto-Novo
💱
Currency
West African CFA (XOF)
🗣️
Language
French
📅
Best time
Nov–Feb (dry)
🛂
Visa
eVisa
💵
Avg daily budget
$40 – $290
🛡️
Safety
Use normal caution
✈️
Main airport
Cotonou (COO)
Overview

Why travellers love Benin

Float through the lake-village of Ganvié, trace the powerful Dahomey kingdom at Abomey, and learn the painful slave-trade history at Ouidah.

Compact and affordable, it's a deep cultural journey.

Where to go

Top places in Benin

The destinations worth building your trip around.

Ganvié

Ganvié

🗓 1 day

A city built on stilts over a lake.

CultureIconic
Ouidah

Ouidah

🗓 1 day

Voodoo and slave-trade history.

HistoryCulture
Abomey

Abomey

🗓 1 day

Royal palaces of Dahomey.

History
Cotonou

Cotonou

🗓 1 day

Lively coastal hub and markets.

CityCulture
Plan day by day

Benin itineraries

Ready-made routes — tap a duration to see the plan.

Route
Ganvié → Ouidah → Abomey
Trip length
5 days
Est. budget
$200 – $1,450
1–2

Ganvié

A city built on stilts over a lake.

🗓 2 days✨ Culture · Iconic
3–4

Ouidah

Voodoo and slave-trade history.

🗓 2 days✨ History · Culture
5

Abomey

Royal palaces of Dahomey.

🗓 1 day✨ History
Route
Ganvié → Ouidah → Abomey → Cotonou
Trip length
7 days
Est. budget
$280 – $2,030
1–2

Ganvié

A city built on stilts over a lake.

🗓 2 days✨ Culture · Iconic
3–4

Ouidah

Voodoo and slave-trade history.

🗓 2 days✨ History · Culture
5–6

Abomey

Royal palaces of Dahomey.

🗓 2 days✨ History
7

Cotonou

Lively coastal hub and markets.

🗓 1 day✨ City · Culture
Route
Ganvié → Ouidah → Abomey → Cotonou
Trip length
10 days
Est. budget
$400 – $2,900
1–3

Ganvié

A city built on stilts over a lake.

🗓 3 days✨ Culture · Iconic
4–6

Ouidah

Voodoo and slave-trade history.

🗓 3 days✨ History · Culture
7–8

Abomey

Royal palaces of Dahomey.

🗓 2 days✨ History
9–10

Cotonou

Lively coastal hub and markets.

🗓 2 days✨ City · Culture
✨ Build a custom Benin itinerary →
Visa & entry

Benin visa requirements

Visa required?
eVisa for most
Allowed stay
Up to 90 days
Visa on arrival
No
eVisa
Yes (official e-Visa)
Passport validity
6 months
Visa type
eVisa
⚠️

Visa rules change frequently. Most visitors apply for an e-Visa online; a yellow-fever certificate is required. Always verify with the official Benin immigration / e-visa website before travelling.

Full Benin visa guide →Use the visa checker →
Money

Benin budget guide

Budget

$40/day
  • Hostels & guesthouses
  • Local food & markets
  • Public transport
  • Free sights & nature

Luxury

$290+/day
  • 4–5★ hotels & resorts
  • Fine dining
  • Private transfers
  • Premium experiences
Full Benin budget guide →
Things to do

Top attractions in Benin

🛶

Ganvié

The 'Venice of Africa' on stilts.

🐍

Ouidah voodoo

The spiritual home of vodun.

👑

Royal Palaces of Abomey

UNESCO Dahomey heritage.

🚪

Door of No Return

A poignant slave-trade memorial.

🦁

Pendjari NP

West Africa's best wildlife park.

Blog

Benin travel articles

All guides