Things to do in Côte d'Ivoire

25 things to do in Côte d'Ivoire

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Marvel at the colossal Basilique Notre-Dame de la Paix in Yamoussoukro

  Stand beneath one of the world’s largest church domes, modelled on St. Peter’s but soaring even higher, surrounded by Italian marble and vast colonnades.

  Yamoussoukro

• Stroll through the UNESCO-listed colonial quarter of Grand-Bassam

  Wander past faded pastel façades, the former Governor’s Palace and the old post office in this evocative, sea-breezed historic town.

  Grand-Bassam

• Spot elephants and lions on a safari in Comoé National Park

  Drive through West Africa’s largest protected savannah ecosystem, home to huge herds of savannah wildlife and over 500 bird species.

  Comoé National Park

• Trek through Taï National Park in search of chimpanzees

  Hike deep into one of the last primary rainforests in West Africa, listening for the calls of habituated chimpanzee troops and rare pygmy hippos.

  Taï National Park

• Hike the misty slopes of Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve

  Climb through montane forests and unique grasslands on this transboundary UNESCO site, home to endemic viviparous toads and chimpanzees.

  Mount Nimba

• Relax on the golden sands of Assinie-Mafia beach

  Unwind at this favourite weekend escape where the Atlantic rollers meet the Ebrié Lagoon, with beachside maquis serving fresh fish.

  Assinie

• Dance to coupé-décalé at the maquis in Abidjan’s Yopougon district

  Dive into the infectious Ivorian nightlife in ‘Yop’, sipping a chilled flag beer and moving to the fast-paced beats of coupé-décalé till dawn.

  Abidjan (Yopougon)

• Explore the Musée des Civilisations de Côte d’Ivoire in Abidjan

  Browse an outstanding collection of masks, statues and artefacts from the Akan, Kru, Senufo and other ethnic groups in a modern setting.

  Abidjan (Plateau)

• Walk the canopy bridge in Banco National Park

  Cross a swaying walkway high above the forest floor in Abidjan’s urban rainforest, surrounded by cathedral-sized trees and the hum of cicadas.

  Abidjan (Banco)

• Attend a mass or simply admire the architecture of St. Paul’s Cathedral in Abidjan

  This futuristic concrete cathedral with a towering cross-shaped spire and striking stained-glass windows was designed by Aldo Spirito.

  Abidjan (Plateau)

• Visit the Fondation Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Yamoussoukro

  Tour the peace research centre and mausoleum of Côte d’Ivoire’s founding president, set within a sprawling, manicured estate with a vast reflecting pool.

  Yamoussoukro

• Sample attiéké with grilled fish at a maquis in Treichville

  Taste the national dish: fermented cassava couscous served with perfectly charred tilapia, spicy tomato-onion sauce and fresh chilli.

  Abidjan (Treichville)

• Feast on alloco and braised pork at a Cocody street stall

  Grab a paper cone of golden fried plantains with salty-sweet pork, a beloved Ivorian street snack eaten with a fiery piment sauce.

  Abidjan (Cocody)

• Browse artisan masks and sculptures at Marché des Caïmans in Abidjan

  Haggle for Senufo bird masks, Dan spoons and Baule statuettes in this atmospheric covered craft market, a collector’s treasure trove.

  Abidjan (Plateau)

• Take a sunset boat ride on the Ebrié Lagoon

  Glide past Abidjan’s glittering skyline as the sun sinks behind the Plateau towers, with a cool breeze off the lagoon and city lights reflecting on the water.

  Abidjan

• Hike to La Cascade waterfall in Man

  Follow a forested trail to a powerful waterfall tumbling into a natural pool, framed by lianas and the lush green of the Dix-Huit Montagnes region.

  Man

• Watch the sacred eels in the pool at Man

  Visit a small forested pool where clusters of eels are considered sacred guardians; local guardians can lure them to the surface with a call.

  Man

• Discover Senufo artisanship in Korhogo

  See master woodcarvers and textile painters in this northern city, famous for hand-painted canvas korhogo cloths and intricate masks.

  Korhogo

• Visit the bustling market of Ferkessédougou

  This crossroads market in the savannah region brims with fresh produce, livestock and vivid textiles from Mali and Burkina Faso.

  Ferkessédougou

• Admire the Basilique Sainte-Thérèse in Bouaké

  This imposing modern basilica, with its striking triangular spire and luminous interior, is a key landmark of Côte d’Ivoire’s second city.

  Bouaké

• Explore the lagoons and mangroves of Azagny National Park

  Take a pirogue through coastal waterways to spot manatees, crocodiles and a profusion of waterbirds in this Ramsar-listed wetland.

  Azagny National Park

• Search for buffalo and bongo antelope in Marahoué National Park

  Venture into a mosaic of forest and savannah that protects rare species like the giant forest hog and the elusive yellow-backed duiker.

  Marahoué National Park

• Climb the granite domes of Mont Sangbé National Park

  Scale towering rock outcrops and hike through open woodlands for sweeping views over western Côte d’Ivoire and the Sassandra River valley.

  Mont Sangbé National Park

• Wander the colonial-era railway station and town of Sassandra

  Stroll along pristine beaches, the old wharf and faded colonial buildings in this once-bustling timber port where the Sassandra River meets the ocean.

  Sassandra

• Visit the lagoon-side fishing villages of Grand Lahou

  Take a wooden pirogue to see stilt-built settlements, massive raffia mats drying in the sun, and the meeting of the Bandama River with the Atlantic.

  Grand Lahou