Cotonou: Street Art, History and Beaches

Cotonou can be explored through several specific interests: murals along the port, memorial sites, beach activities and a classic Fidjrossè dish each give your stay a different focus. When looking for a holiday rental, you can consider whether you want to make art and history, time by the sea or the local cuisine a bigger part of your travel plans.

Art and history

The Port Graffiti Wall stretches for several hundred metres along the Autonomous Port of Cotonou. It is an open-air gallery featuring murals by Beninese and international artists. You can explore it freely on foot or as part of a guided tour of Cotonou.

The Bio Guera Monument in Cotonou commemorates Bio Guera and his determined resistance to the French colonial conquest in the late 19th century. It is freely accessible and forms part of the cultural route along Boulevard de la Marina.

The statue on the Esplanade de l’Amazone in Cotonou, inaugurated in 2022, stands 30 metres tall without its plinth. It commemorates the Amazones de Danxomè, the kingdom’s elite female military corps. The two memorial sites highlight different aspects of history: the monument commemorates resistance to the French colonial conquest, while the statue honours the female military corps. The artworks also differ in scale: the wall stretches for several hundred metres, while the statue stands 30 metres tall without its plinth.

The Petit Train Touristique de Cotonou was officially inaugurated at Place de l’Amazone on 17 January 2026. It is intended to take visitors along structured routes to the city’s well-known historical sites and share their history, culture and identity.

In the wider Littoral destination

The Esplanade de l’Amazone in Cotonou is freely accessible year-round. Check local notices before your visit for possible changes. The statue on the esplanade is described as the second largest in Africa; the ranking may vary depending on the definition used for comparison.

The LAB in Cotonou is open Monday to Friday and closed on weekends. Check opening hours directly with the venue before your visit.

Beaches and cuisine

At Fidjrossè Beach in Cotonou, you can go for a walk or a run, get together and watch the sunset. Beach conditions may vary.

In the wider Littoral destination, Eldorado Beach on the coast of Cotonou is appreciated for its leisure areas and sociable seaside atmosphere. Current offerings may vary. The beaches therefore offer different highlights: specific activities at Fidjrossè, and leisure areas and socialising at Eldorado.

Grilled fish is a classic dish in Cotonou’s Fidjrossè cuisine. Depending on the catch, the fish served may be gilt-head bream, sea bass or captain fish. It comes with Moyo, a fresh sauce made from tomatoes, onions and chilli, as well as sweet potato crisps or fried plantains.

Discover more destinations

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Go to the wider travel overview: Littoral.