Things to Do in Abidjan

Abidjan, Ivory Coast - Complete Travel Guide

Abidjan sprawls across a series of lagoons and peninsulas, creating a city that feels more like a collection of distinct neighborhoods connected by bridges and waterways. As Ivory Coast's economic capital, it pulses with West African energy while maintaining an unmistakably French colonial influence in its architecture, cuisine, and daily rhythms. The city's unique geography means you might find yourself crossing water to get from the business district of Plateau to the trendy bars of Zone 4, giving even routine trips an almost scenic quality. What strikes most visitors is how modern Abidjan feels - gleaming towers rise from Plateau while the Cocody area houses embassies and upscale residences, yet traditional markets and local maquis (informal restaurants) keep the city firmly rooted in Ivorian culture.

Top Things to Do in Abidjan

St. Paul's Cathedral

This striking modernist cathedral, designed by Italian architect Aldo Spirito, looks like something between a concrete sail and a futuristic spaceship. The building's dramatic curves and soaring interior create an unexpectedly peaceful atmosphere despite its bold architectural statement. The surrounding area in Plateau offers good walking opportunities to see other examples of Abidjan's mix of colonial and modern architecture.

Booking Tip: No advance booking needed - it's free to enter during daylight hours. Best visited in late afternoon when the light filtering through the concrete creates interesting shadows inside.

Banco National Park

Just outside the city center, this protected rainforest feels worlds away from urban Abidjan's hustle. Walking the forest trails, you might spot monkeys, various bird species, and get a sense of what the region looked like before development. The park also features a traditional village that demonstrates local building techniques and crafts.

Booking Tip: Entry costs around 2,000 CFA francs. Go early morning for better wildlife spotting and cooler temperatures. Local guides are available at the entrance for about 5,000 CFA francs and genuinely improve the experience.

Treichville Market

This sprawling market captures the authentic energy of Abidjan commerce, with vendors selling everything from colorful wax-print fabrics to fresh fish from the lagoon. The organized chaos can feel overwhelming at first, but it's genuinely one of the best places to understand daily life in the city. The fabric section is particularly impressive, with skilled tailors who can create custom clothing remarkably quickly.

Booking Tip: No booking needed, but bring cash (CFA francs) and be prepared to negotiate prices. Mornings tend to be less crowded. Consider hiring a local guide for 3,000-5,000 CFA francs to help navigate and translate.

Lagoon Boat Tour

Taking a boat across Abidjan's lagoon system gives you the best perspective on how this unusual city is laid out across multiple islands and peninsulas. You'll see the city skyline from the water, pass fishing villages that seem untouched by urban development, and understand why water transportation remains important here. Some tours include stops at traditional fishing communities.

Booking Tip: Tours typically cost 15,000-25,000 CFA francs per person for a 2-3 hour trip. Book through hotels or local tour operators rather than approaching boat owners directly. Sunset tours are popular but morning trips offer clearer views for photography.

National Museum

Housed in a building that itself represents 1960s African modernist architecture, the museum provides solid context for understanding Ivorian culture and history. The collection includes traditional masks, textiles, and artifacts from various ethnic groups across the country. While not huge, it's well-curated and gives useful background before exploring other parts of the city or country.

Booking Tip: Entry is around 1,000 CFA francs for adults. Open Tuesday through Sunday, usually 9am-5pm but hours can be irregular. Worth calling ahead or asking your hotel to confirm opening times before making the trip.

Getting There

Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport sits about 16 kilometers southeast of central Abidjan and handles most international arrivals. Taxis from the airport to central areas like Plateau or Cocody typically cost 8,000-12,000 CFA francs and take 30-45 minutes depending on traffic. Some hotels offer airport transfers, which can be worth arranging in advance since traffic patterns and road conditions can be unpredictable. If you're coming overland from other West African countries, Abidjan connects by decent roads to Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Mali, though border crossings can be time-consuming.

Getting Around

Abidjan's geography means getting around often involves crossing water, which actually makes navigation easier once you understand the basic layout. Orange taxis are everywhere and relatively affordable for short trips - expect to pay 1,500-3,000 CFA francs for most journeys within the city. The local bus system (called 'gbakas') is cheap but can be confusing for visitors. For longer stays, many people find it worthwhile to arrange a driver through their hotel, which typically costs 25,000-40,000 CFA francs per day. Walking is pleasant in areas like Plateau during cooler parts of the day, but distances between neighborhoods usually require transport.

Where to Stay

Plateau

Cocody

Zone 4

Marcory

Deux Plateaux

Riviera

Food & Dining

Abidjan's food scene blends French culinary influence with traditional Ivorian ingredients and techniques, creating something quite distinctive. Local maquis serve excellent grilled fish, attieké (cassava couscous), and other Ivorian specialties in informal settings that locals actually frequent. The city also has surprisingly good French restaurants, particularly in Cocody and Zone 4, though they tend to be pricey. Street food is generally safe and delicious - try allocodromé (plantain with spicy sauce) or fresh coconut water. Lebanese restaurants are common and usually reliable. Hotel restaurants often serve decent international food, though you'll get more authentic experiences eating where locals do.

When to Visit

Abidjan's location near the coast means temperatures stay relatively stable year-round, but rainfall patterns definitely affect the experience. The dry season from November to March offers the most comfortable weather, with less humidity and minimal rain making walking around more pleasant. April and May can be quite hot and humid before the rains begin. The rainy season from May to October brings heavy downpours that can flood streets and make transportation difficult, though the rain usually comes in intense bursts rather than all-day drizzle. That said, the city functions year-round, and hotel rates tend to be lower during rainy months.

Insider Tips

The CFA franc is pegged to the Euro, making price calculations easier for European visitors, and most upscale establishments accept euros directly

Traffic can be genuinely terrible during rush hours, so plan extra time for any important appointments or flights

Learning a few words of French helps enormously, as English isn't widely spoken outside of international hotels and businesses

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Things to Do in Abidjan

Top Things to Do in Abidjan

St. Paul's Cathedral

Banco National Park

Treichville Market

Lagoon Boat Tour

National Museum

Getting There

Getting Around

Where to Stay

Food & Dining

When to Visit

Insider Tips

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