Things to Do in Ouidah

A small shrine dedicated to the python, a sacred animal in vodun religion. Live pythons rest in the open courtyard; donations welcome but entry is free.

🕐 Monday to Saturday 9am-12pm and 2pm-5pm, Sunday 2pm-5pm

💡 Visitors may be asked to touch a python for blessing—it's optional. Avoid visiting during a major vodun festival (January) when it gets very busy.

Housed in the old Portuguese Fort, this museum covers local history, the slave trade, and vodun artifacts. Entry is free on the first Sunday of each month.

🕐 Tuesday to Sunday 9am-5pm, closed Monday

💡 Check if the guided tour (small fee) is running; otherwise, the exhibits are self-explanatory. Wear shoes with grip on the stone steps.

A 4km road from the town centre to the beach, marked with concrete sculptures and memorials tracing the path enslaved people were forced to walk to ships.

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 Start at the Place des Souvenirs at dawn to avoid heat and crowds; the final memorial at the beach is best seen at low tide.

A quiet memorial park with a small museum and outdoor sculptures recounting the history of the local Zomaï kingdom, free to wander the grounds.

🕐 Tuesday to Saturday 9am-4pm, closed Sunday and Monday

💡 The museum’s photo policy is strict—ask before taking pictures. Best visited in the late afternoon when the light hits the carvings.

A 30-metre concrete arch at the beach, commemorating those who passed through the slave trade. No ticket required to view the exterior and platform.

🕐 Monday to Saturday 8am-6pm, Sunday 9am-4pm

💡 Go at sunset for the view across the Atlantic; the monument has no shade, so bring water.