Niamey
Not been yet
The UK Foreign Office currently advises against travel to all or parts of Niger. This guide is for a safer time. Check the latest travel advice.
At a glance
- Country
- Niger
- Region
- Niamey Capital District
- Population
- 1.3 million
- Best time to go
- November to February
- Main airport
- Niamey Diori Hamani International (NIM)
- Coordinates
- 13.51°N, 2.13°E
Visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Overview
Niamey sits on the east bank of the Niger River, a low, sandy capital where pirogues glide past river islands and life slows in the midday heat. It grew from a small village into Niger's political and trading centre during the 20th century.
This guide is written for a time when travel is advisable again. When it is, the river, the national museum and the markets give a gentle introduction to the cultures of the Sahel.
Things to see
-
Photo: Jean Rebiffé ( Flickr userpage ), CC BY 3.0 National Museum of Niger
A sprawling museum park with pavilions of traditional dress, crafts, dinosaur fossils and reconstructed houses from across the country.
-
Photo: YoTuT from United States, CC-BY-2.0 Grand Mosque of Niamey
The city's largest mosque, with a tall minaret that rises above the surrounding streets.
-
Photo: Roland Huziaker, CC BY-SA 2.0 Grand Marché
A huge covered market selling fabrics, leatherwork, spices and household goods.
-
Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rolandh/ diasUndKompott / Rola, CC BY-SA 2.0 Kennedy Bridge
The bridge across the Niger offers wide views of the river, its islands and the fishing boats below.
Things to do
-
Photo: Abdel Nacer ibn, CC BY-SA 4.0 Pirogue trip on the Niger
Drift past rice fields, river islands and, with luck, hippos on a slow boat trip at sunset.
-
Photo: Yann Fauché and Alma Mulalic, CC BY-SA 3.0 See the giraffes of Kouré
The last herd of West African giraffes in the wild roams the scrubland southeast of the city.
-
Photo: Walimora, CC BY-SA 4.0 Try street brochettes
Grilled meat skewers with spicy pepper are the city's favourite evening food.
Where to stay
Plateau
The administrative quarter, with most embassies, hotels and restaurants.
Hotels in PlateauRiverside
Hotels near the Niger, close to the Kennedy Bridge, with cooler evenings and river views.
Hotels in Riverside
Getting around
Taxis are the usual way to get around, often shared along fixed routes. Distances are moderate but the heat makes walking hard.
The airport is about 10 km southeast of the centre, roughly 20 minutes by taxi.
When to go
The cooler dry season from November to February is the most comfortable, though the harmattan wind can bring dust. March to June is extremely hot, and the rains fall from June to September.
Plan your trip to Niamey
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.