Things to do & places to visit in Atlantique Department, Benin

Atlantique Department #2 destination in Benin 2023. The average rating score is 3.99 based on 462 traveler reviews, of 22 attractions. Timezone: Africa/Porto-Novo, current date and time: Saturday, May 11, 2024, 7:50.

Top things to do (18)

Top places to visit (22 attractions)

5.0 Foret Sacree de Kpasse (7 reviews)
- Great site to visit
Spent 1-2 hours Forests

The sacred forest is a great site to visit and our guide explained that only half of it was open for tourism, the other half is for ceremonies and rituals for the initiated. There are some great exhibits that were done by local artists that display the essentials of the voodoo traditions. Very interesting, worth a visit and definitely take a guide so you can learn about the traditions. See more..
4.5 Lac Nokoue (61 reviews)
- Highlight of my weekend off work
Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water

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/ See more..
4.5 Musee de la Fondation Zinsou (47 reviews)
- great environment & guide, average items inside
Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

the guide Ms, Raymonde is the only one who really can help you with the english language. The museum is free-cost and resume the african-culture throught painting and plastic arts. No pics allowed. Nice and comfortable bar but dont accept. USD., only local currency. The private owner made a great effort to develop the art and mantain the culture in the country. See more..
4.5 Route Des Esclaves (3 reviews)
- A very moving and interesting visit
Historic Sites • Historic Walking Areas

We visited and learnt about the slave route as part of a morning tour of Ouidah with our brilliant (English and French-speaking) guide, Remi Seglonou (recommended in the latest version of the Bradt Guide). The slave market square has been lovingly and sympathetically restored as a commemorative area and with the information and history from Remi it was a very moving and fascinating place to visit. We would highly recommend a visit (with a guide or good guide book) to give one an insight into the history of Ouidah and of Benin. We would highly recommend Remi as a guide. His details: +229 9727 9515 / +229 9596 2129 [email protected] / [email protected] See more..
4.0 La Porte Du Non Retour (127 reviews)
- Superb monument
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites

This is a very artistic and meaningful monument to a dreadful period of history. The choice of the location on the beach is also very suggestive See more..
4.0 Ouidah Museum of History (77 reviews)
- Well worth a visit
Speciality Museums

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. See more..
4.0 Mémorial Zoungbodji (2 reviews)
- Memorial to an atrocity
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Our guide explained that this memorial was made to commemorate the people who died while waiting to be loaded onto the slave ships that were to take them to the Americas. He also explained that often the sick and weak were thrown into the pit and buried alive. See more..
4.0 Palais Royal D'allada (1 review)
Historic Sites

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4.0 Lac Haémé (1 review)
- Lac Haémé , Refuge des divinités Vaudous et des Pécheurs !!
Bodies of Water

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4.0 Lac Toho (1 review)
Bodies of Water

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4.0 Marché De Segbohoue (1 review)
Spent < 1 hour Flea & Street Markets

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4.0 Détour Par Gogotinkpon Tourisme (1 review)
- Gogotinkpon sur la lac Haémé , où les Pêcheurs s'en mêlent !!!
Visitor Centers

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4.0 Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (1 review)
Churches & Cathedrals

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3.5 Temple des Pythons (127 reviews)
- Can't have snake fobia!
Points of Interest & Landmarks

It's very interesting to understand the religion and beliefs of the land! Ouida is the spiritual capital of Benin and the countries around it (togo, nigeria and borkina faso). And you can (it's not obligatory) hold a snake around your neck. See more..
3.5 Case Zomai (2 reviews)
- Slave warehouse
Monuments & Statues

Between the time that people arrived and were sold into slavery at the auction house and the time they were taken to the ships to be taken across the Atlantic they were kept in a dark warehouse, tied down into a small space that would simulate the conditions on the ship (for three months) and gagged. One more demonstration of the inhumanity of the slave trade. There is no structure now but the site is marked and there are three statues which memorialize the site. Definitely need a guide to find the place and to explain the circumstances. See more..
3.0 Paradise Island (1 review)
- Paradise Island , version Béninoise du Paradis !!
Amusement & Theme Parks

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3.0 Memorial Zomachi (1 review)
- Mémorial Zomachi de la Repentance , mais Jamais de l'oubli !
Monuments & Statues

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2.0 Agualand (1 review)
Spent 1-2 hours Parks

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Eglise Catholique Saint Michel (0 review)
Churches & Cathedrals
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Jonas ZANNOU-ZOKI (0 review)
Bar, Club & Pub Tours • Multi-day Tours • Taxis & Shuttles • Boat Tours • Private Tours • Day Trips

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Eglise Sainte Joséphine Bakhita (0 review)
Churches & Cathedrals
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Eglise Saint Antoine de Padoue (0 review)
Churches & Cathedrals
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