Once the capital of one of West Africa's pre-colonial kingdoms, Abomey is a curious mixture of colourfully painted fetish temples and banco houses. Situated 145 km north of Cotonou, the city of Abomey is widely considered the historic capital of Benin. It was the centre of the Dahomey kingdom that controlled the area before colonisation by the French, and the ruins of the royal palaces, one of which has been restored and houses Abomey's history museum, are the city's most popular attractions.

Abomey is also one of the centres of traditional religion in Benin; many visitors stumble upon traditional ceremonies and dances in Abomey and later say it was a highlight of their trip. Because of Abomey's convenient location, it can be seen either as a stop on the way north from Cotonou or as a day trip from Cotonou. But regardless of your itinerary, Abomey is a must-see.

Attractions

Abomey Royal History Museum
If there is one historical site that every visitor to Benin should see, it is Abomey's Royal History Museum. This museum tells the story of the kingdom of Dahomey before the French colonization. Abomey was once one of the most important sites in West Africa-as important as Kano and Benin City in Nigeria and the Dogon Country in Mali. This museum explains how the area evolved from a tribal kingdom to what it is today. It is classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.
The entrance fee for foreign visitors is 1.500 CFA per person, and this includes a guided tour in either French or English. The tour takes 1 to 1½ hours, and visitors should allow about 30 minutes after the tour to browse the small bookshop and craft booths in the museum's courtyard. Cameras are not allowed inside the museum; visitors who arrive with cameras will be asked to check them at the entrance.

"Dahomey Trail" City Tour
For those who have more than a few hours to spend in Abomey, it would be a shame to see the Royal History Museum and nothing else. The museum is one of many important historical sites in Abomey, and a city tour enables you to put each site in its proper context and take away a fuller understanding of the civilization that once flourished here. There were, in fact, 12 kings and 12 palaces in Abomey; other interesting sites include the city wall, an ancient blacksmiths village, and Voodoo relics and temples.

Place Goho
The large park at the entrance to Abomey is "Place Goho." Here, there is a statue of King Béhanzin, who fought to defend Dahomey against the French. This statue at the entrance to Abomey is a tribute to his efforts to protect the kingdom. While the park is a regular stop in the city tour described above, it is worth a visit even if you don't have time for the full tour. Across the street from the park, the Maison du Peuple is also a pleasant place to have a drink and shop for souvenirs.