Why the West African Nation of Benin Should be on Your 2026 Travel List

"Morning is the best time to set out on a boat tour of Ganvié, a floating village on Lake Nokoué, in southern Benin. Ganvié, which means "we are saved" in the Fon language, was established in 1717 by Beninese who were fleeing slave traders; today, there are 45,000 residents. With my guide Gilbert Djanfan, I canoed along the canals. Women wearing raffia hats glided past, transporting the day's catches, while fishermen tossed weighted nets that arced through the air."

"For centuries, Benin has borne the extraordinary weight of its past-it was a hub in the transatlantic slave trade, and spent nearly a century under French rule before gaining its independence in 1960. (Last year, Benin, joining other nations like Ghana and Guinea-Bissau, passed a law that grants citizenship to those who can trace their lineage to an ancestor who was enslaved.)"

"The Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa, which opened at the end of 2024, is also evidence of the optimism about the country's future. Set on the coastline in Cotonou-Benin's largest city and the main gateway for visitors-the 198-room hotel has several restaurants and an airy spa by KOS Paris. During my visit last May, it was my home base for exploring Cotonou and nearby historic and cultural attractions."

Morning is the best time to set out on a boat tour of Ganvié, a floating village on Lake Nokoué in southern Benin. Ganvié, meaning "we are saved" in the Fon language, was established in 1717 by Beninese fleeing slave traders and now has 45,000 residents. Women wearing raffia hats transport daily catches while fishermen toss weighted nets along the canals. Chez Raphaël B&B and the adjacent market offer homestyle meals and local crafts such as wooden sculptures, brass giraffes, and hand-beaded bags. For centuries Benin was a hub of the transatlantic slave trade and spent nearly a century under French rule before gaining independence in 1960; recent legislation grants citizenship to those who can trace lineage to enslaved ancestors. The country is slowly opening to tourism, driven by a younger generation focused on preserving cultural heritage and by institutions championing contemporary art. The Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa opened at the end of 2024, featuring 198 rooms, several restaurants, and a KOS Paris spa, supporting tourism in Cotonou and surrounding historic and cultural sites.

Read at Travel + Leisure