Porto-Novo
Not been yet
At a glance
- Country
- Benin
- Region
- Ouémé
- Population
- 265,000
- Best time to go
- November to February
- Main airport
- None — nearest is Cotonou Cadjehoun (COO)
- Coordinates
- 6.50°N, 2.63°E
Visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Overview
Porto-Novo is Benin's official capital, though most of the government and business life happens in Cotonou, half an hour or so along the coast. The result is a calm, low-rise city on a lagoon, with crumbling colonial villas and pastel Afro-Brazilian houses.
It was the seat of an old Gun kingdom and later a trading port, and that layered history is what to come for. A day of museums, the royal palace and a wander through the old quarters makes an easy trip from Cotonou.
Things to see
-
Photo: Babylas, CC BY-SA 3.0 Great Mosque of Porto-Novo
A colourful mosque built in the style of a Brazilian church by Afro-Brazilian returnees, its façade painted in bright bands.
-
Photo: Kulttuurinavigaattori, CC BY-SA 4.0 Honmè Royal Palace
The former palace of the kings of Porto-Novo, now a museum of courtyards, thrones and royal life.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Kulttuurinavigaattori, CC BY-SA 4.0 Ethnographic Museum
A good introduction to the masks, instruments and ceremonial objects of Benin's many peoples.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: GBETONGNINOUGBO JOSEPH HERVE AHISSOU, CC BY-SA 4.0 Afro-Brazilian old town
Walk the older quarters to find balconied merchant houses built by families who returned from Brazil in the nineteenth century.
Things to do
-
Photo: Lovelyn Obiakor, CC BY-SA 4.0 Songhaï Centre
A well-known agricultural training centre on the edge of town, with a shop and restaurant serving its own produce.
-
Photo: Chado07, CC0 Jardin des Plantes et de la Nature
A shady botanical garden and patch of sacred forest in the centre, a cool escape from the midday heat.
-
Photo: jbdodane, CC BY 2.0 Day trip to Ganvié
Take a pirogue across Lake Nokoué to the large stilt village of Ganvié, reached from the Cotonou side.
Find tours
Where to stay
City centre
A small choice of simple hotels within reach of the museums and the mosque.
Hotels in City centreCotonou
Many visitors base themselves in Cotonou, with more hotels and restaurants, and visit Porto-Novo for the day.
Hotels in Cotonou
Getting around
Zemidjans (motorbike taxis) are the quickest way around; agree the fare and ask for a helmet. Shared and private taxis also run between Porto-Novo and Cotonou.
Cotonou airport is about 30 kilometres away, usually around an hour by road depending on traffic.
When to go
November to February is the main dry season, though the dusty harmattan wind can haze the sky. Southern Benin has two rainy seasons, roughly April to July and September to October.
Plan your trip to Porto-Novo
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.