Districts · Cotonou
Cotonou by district
A flat coastal strip about 12 km long. Ganhi and the market sit near the middle, Haie Vive and Cadjehoun toward the airport, Fidjrossè on the beach road to the west, and Akpakpa across the channel to the east.A flat coastal strip about 7.5 mi long. Ganhi and the market sit near the middle, Haie Vive and Cadjehoun toward the airport, Fidjrossè on the beach road to the west, and Akpakpa across the channel to the east.
About these names
- Haie Vive and CadjehounsleepeatseeSuits: First visit, hotel-based staysRestaurants, art and hotels 10 minutes from the airport; the most comfortable base.2 sights · 2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Ganhi and the centreseeeatSuits: The cathedral, banks, the old commercial streetsBusy by day, quiet after dark; go by car and leave by evening.2 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- DantokpaseeSuits: One early market morningThe huge market on the lagoon; not a place to stay.1 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- FidjrossèsleepeatseeSuits: Beach evenings, a quieter bedPalm bars and fishing boats on the western coast road; far from the market.1 sights · 1 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Akpakpaskip as a baseSuits: Not a first-visit areaA dense residential and market district east of the channel; a bridge-traffic detour.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Cadjehoun International Airport (COO) (15–40 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Akpakpa. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Haie Vive and Cadjehoun: Restaurants, art and hotels 10 minutes from the airport; the most comfortable base. Suits: First visit, hotel-based stays. Price band $$$.
- Ganhi and the centre: Busy by day, quiet after dark; go by car and leave by evening. Suits: The cathedral, banks, the old commercial streets.
- Dantokpa: The huge market on the lagoon; not a place to stay. Suits: One early market morning.
- Fidjrossè: Palm bars and fishing boats on the western coast road; far from the market. Suits: Beach evenings, a quieter bed. Price band $$.
- Akpakpa: A dense residential and market district east of the channel; a bridge-traffic detour. Suits: Not a first-visit area.
- Sleep area Fidjrossè beach: suits Beach evenings, a quieter bed, price band $$.
- Sleep area Haie Vive: suits First visit, hotel-based stays, price band $$$.
- Cadjehoun International Airport (COO), 15–40 min by the usual route.