Countries
9 Museums in Benin That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Benin, Benin including Musee de la Fondation Zinsou, Villa Karo, Artisanal Center, da Silva Museum, Palais des rois d'Abomey, Ouidah Museum of History, Ethnographique Museum of Porto Novo, Musee en Plein Air de Parakou, Village Artisanal.
Restaurants in Benin
1. Musee de la Fondation Zinsou
2. Villa Karo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Finnish-African cultural centre located in the village of Grand-Popo. The purpose of the centre is to improve the awareness and to promote the cooperation between Finnish and African artists and researchers and to support the cultural contacts between Finland and Benin. Villa Karo issues grants to Finnish professionals of cultural and societal fields and acts as a cutural centre in Grand-Popo.
3. Artisanal Center
4. da Silva Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 18 reviews
Benin’s turbulent history is on display here, from its prosperous 17th century beginnings as the African Dahomey kingdom and 19th century invasion by the French to its 1960 independent Marxist regime and present-day democracy.
5. Palais des rois d'Abomey
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 91 reviews
Reviewed By Boguszooo - Krakow, Poland
Its a little difficult for an European to be impressed by these few clay-based, single story bulidings. They are ancient by the standards in Benin, as they have been constructed around 1830-ish. Unfortunately they did not refurbish ANY of the furniture, maps & graphics hanging on the walls. Most of them are impossible to read. They have a much venerated grave of the king Ghezo, which they believe is still with us, as the hut was supposed to be his room. There used to be furniture, but they threw it out, and nobody cared enough to even put a random bed and some chairs there to pretend that they are the originals. There are a few artifacts in the museum - some of them very interesting but in high state of disrepair. By that I mean that they are literally falling apart. The famous throne with 4 skulls is in a glass cabinet so dirty that you can barely see the shape of that throne. But dont be discouraged by all this. Get a guide to tell you the stories behind all that and you will really enjoy your time.
6. Ouidah Museum of History
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By JamesFFC - Maidenhead, United Kingdom
It is well worth walking the whole of the Route des esclaves. You can start from the Ouidah Museum of History and end at the gate of no return. The museum itself has some fascinating images showing the assimilation that took place from west African slaves bringing food, dance, and culture over to the Americas. The artifacts and images from the slave trade are horrific and it really makes you think about the dreadful conditions these people were forced into. Well worth the time to tour around. Entrance is free although, at the end of the tour, you donate what you want to the guide. Guides can be conducted in both French and English.
7. Ethnographique Museum of Porto Novo
8. Musee en Plein Air de Parakou
9. Village Artisanal
Overall Ratings
1.5 based on 2 reviews
