Places / Africa / Burkina Faso
Ouagadougou
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The UK Foreign Office currently advises against travel to all or parts of Burkina Faso. This guide is for a safer time. Check the latest travel advice.
At a glance
- Country
- Burkina Faso
- Region
- Centre
- Population
- 2.5 million
- Best time to go
- November to February
- Main airport
- Ouagadougou (OUA)
- Coordinates
- 12.37°N, 1.52°W
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Overview
Ouagadougou, usually shortened to Ouaga, is Burkina Faso's capital and a crossroads of West African culture. It is a flat, spread-out city of red earth and motorbikes, with a reputation far larger than its sights, built on film, music and crafts.
In calmer times it is best known for FESPACO, Africa's largest film festival, and for a friendly street life of open-air bars, markets and workshops. This guide is written for a future visit, when travel is safer.
Things to see
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Photo: Sputniktilt, CC BY-SA 3.0 Cathedral of Ouagadougou
A large red-brick cathedral from the 1930s, its twin towers standing out against the city's low skyline.
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Photo: Ji-Elle, CC BY-SA 4.0 National Museum
Collections of masks, statues and textiles from the country's many ethnic groups.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: WILLAV-FR, CC BY-SA 4.0 Moro Naba's palace
The palace of the Mossi king, where a short traditional ceremony has long been held on Friday mornings.
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Photo: Kirsten-h, CC BY-SA 3.0 Laongo sculpture park
Granite boulders carved by artists from Africa and beyond, set in the bush outside the city.
Things to do
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Photo: Sputniktilt, CC BY-SA 3.0 FESPACO
The pan-African film festival held every two years, when cinemas and open-air screens fill with crowds.
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Photo: Yendifa, CC0 Village Artisanal
Watch bronze casters, leatherworkers and weavers at work in the craft village, and buy direct from them.
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Photo: WILLAV-FR, CC BY-SA 4.0 Live music in a maquis
Spend an evening in an open-air bar with grilled chicken and local bands playing into the night.
Where to stay
City centre
Close to the cathedral, markets and many restaurants.
Hotels in City centreOuaga 2000
A newer district of wide avenues, government buildings and larger hotels.
Hotels in Ouaga 2000Zone du Bois
Leafy, residential and relaxed, with guesthouses and good restaurants.
Hotels in Zone du Bois
Getting around
Taxis are the easiest option for visitors. Motorbikes dominate the roads, and distances in the city are large.
The airport is close to the centre, around 15 minutes by taxi.
When to go
November to February is the cool dry season, though the harmattan brings dusty skies. March to May is extremely hot, and the rains fall from June to September.
Plan your trip to Ouagadougou
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.