Ivory Coast tourist attractions: what not to miss

Ivory Coast is a country that blends rich cultural heritage with stunning natural landscapes. Imagine exploring Abidjan, the dynamic heart of the nation, with its striking skyline and lively markets. In contrast, Yamoussoukro amazes with the grand Basilica of Our Lady of Peace. 

Picture yourself lounging on the beaches of Assinie and Grand-Bassam, where golden sands meet the bluest sea. For nature lovers, the rainforests and wildlife of Taï and Comoé National Parks provide an unforgettable adventure. 

Remember! Before you can fall in love with Ivory Coast and reach the country, you must get your Ivory Coast visa and meet all Ivory Coast entry requirements.

Things to do in Ivory Coast

Although summarizing a visit to Ivory Coast into a concise list of things to do is no simple task, here are some of the must-see places:

The city of Yamoussoukro

No trip to Ivory Coast can be made without visiting its most famous city: Yamoussoukro. The capital of the country holds great significance as well as some of the most popular landmarks in Côte d'Ivoire worth visiting for all those travelers interested in the history of the country.

One interesting fact is that Yamoussoukro was the birthplace of the country’s long-term first president. 

The main highlights of the city are:

• Basilique Notre-Dame de la Paix, which is a church that replicates St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. It is particularly famous for its stained-glass.
• Mosque. It serves the Muslim community and features traditional Islamic architectural elements. 
• Presidential Palace. The Palace is the official residence of the President of Ivory Coast. It is not always opened for tourists. 
• Market. In Yamoussoukro’s market, you will be able to buy a wide range of goods, including fresh produce, local crafts, textiles, and traditional foods. Blend in with the locals, sample regional dishes, and buy some nice gifts.

The city of Abidjan

Abidjan is a bustling metropolis known for its modern architecture, vibrant nightlife, and cultural attractions like the Musée des Civilisations de Côte d'Ivoire. 

The economic capital of Ivory Coast, once the old capital, still remains the commercial and administrative center heart of the African country. There, you will mainly be able to see its business district (Le Plateu) and the traditional area of Treichville. In this area you will find bars, nightclubs, restaurants and the central market the Marche de Treichville. 

In Abidjan, you will also see the Cathédrale Saint-Paul (St. Paul’s Cathedral), one of the most notable religious buildings in the country, distinguished by its shell-like shape. Don't miss the Pont Félix Houphouët-Boigny, a cable-stayed bridge spanning the Ébrié Lagoon.

If you plan to see nature, Abidjan is a good starting point to go and plunge in the lagoons. The city also has the Parc du Banco, a lush nature reserve perfect to enjoy some nature in the heart of Abidjan. 

Grand Bassam

Grand Bassam is the place to go to experience first hand some of the history of Ivory Coast as a French Colony. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a small coastal town outside of Abidjan that allows you to stroll through charming streets and well-preserved French colonial buildings, sunbathe on beautiful beaches like the Plage de la Côte d'Argent,eat delicious seafood and experience a vibrant arts scene.

In the original colonial capital of Côte d'Ivoire (1893-1900), you will also be able to visit the Musee National des Costumes. This museum preserves costumes and promotes research related to traditional Ivorian clothing. There you will be able to see costumes, ornaments, dancing masks, colonial photographs and other documents. 

In Grand Bassam you can also see the French colonial governor's palace, which is a cultural centre; the famous red-and-white striped lighthouse and the Liberty Statues of Grand Bassam, which is a monument dedicated to the women’s march of 1949 following the incarceration of their husbands the same year who rose against colonialism.

Assinie

Are you a beach lover? Then Assinie is the place to go in Ivory Coast. Assinie is a coastal town that gives you acces to the beautiful crystal-clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Only 80km away from Abidjan, this locality will allow you to swim, sunbathe, surf, jet skii, enjoy some delicious seafood, take boat trips to the islands and relax at luxury villas.

In Assinie you can also see the Assinie Mafie Museum, which has costumes, ornaments and traditional objects of the N’Zima culture, and go to the DIPI Crocodile zoological park that is home to crocodiles, reptiles, saurian, birds, ostriches, monkeys and others. 

Sassandra

Sassandra is a coastal town known for the colonial architecture, the food, the beaches, and the nearby Îles Ehotilés. You can get to Sassandra from Abidjan in a bus, and enjoy Plages des Boucantiers and Plages des Pêcheurs, ideal for swimming, sunbathing, practising water sports and relaxing.

If you are not into beaches, you can discover the town’s architecture, with the Governor's Palace and the Church of Sainte Marie as two of the main things to see in Sassandra. 

Korhogo

Korhogo, in the north of the country, is for those travelers who love history, culture and traditional crafts. There, you will deeply immerse yourself in Senufo culture and dive into one of the world’s most vibrant art scenes. In fact, you can even witness traditional ceremonies and performances, such as the Poro society initiation rites and the Guelede mask dance.

Local art galeries like the Centre des Arts Plastiques et de la Culture, the Mamelon, and the Centre d'Artisanat et du Tourisme are some of the most visited ones in Ivory Coast.

In Korhogo you can also visit traditional craft markets and buy handmade goods. Some of the most popular ones are the Marché des Femmes, the Marché des Artisans, and the Grand Marché.

Man

This pinturesque town in the mountains of western Ivory Coast offers lush forests and cascading waterfalls, and traditional tribal villages. You will get a real taste of local life, and astonishing natural landscapes, if you include Man in your trip to Ivory Coast.

One of the main tourist attractions in Ivory Coast is located in Man: the waterfalls. During the rainy season, you can fully enjoy this stunning landscape at its peak splendor.

You should also trek through the nearby Mount Tonkoui, the highest mountain in the country, and enjoy the stunning panoramic views from the top. Don’t worry if you finish this trek since the town has 18 mountains, some of these very easily accessible.  La Dent de Man, a distinctive rock formation, is also a popular hiking destination.

To add to the experience and get to know the locals and their traditions, you must explore some of the traditional villages in Man. We recommend the wooden stilted village of Sinfra and the ancient village of Biankouma with mud-brick architecture.

Ivory Coast landmarks

After having described the main cities and towns to explore in Ivory Coast, here we give you some details about specific Ivory Coast landmarks: 

Basilica of Our Lady of Peace

As we mentioned before, the stunning basilica built in the 1980s, the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Paix (Basilica of Our Lady of Peace) in Yamoussoukro, is one of the main landmarks in the country. This Roman-style building is one of the largest churches in the world and is inspired by St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

Any tourist can enter the church and see its impressive dome, stroll through its tranquil gardens, and admire the beautiful stained glass windows, which depict biblical scenes and add vibrant, colorful light to the interior.

Ivory Coast’s national parks

Ivory Coast is known for its nature, its wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. The country has three UNESCO World Heritage-listed national parks:

• Comoé National Park
• Taï National Park
• Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve. 

In these reserves, you will be able to see animals like rhinos, lions, hippos and chimpanzees living in their habitat.

The Comoé National Park in the northern part of the country offers you magnificent opportunities to see savannahs, dense forests, and diverse wildlife within its expansive 11,500 square kilometers of area.

Comoé, one of the largest protected areas in West Africa, has over 90 species of large mammals like elephants, lions, buffaloes, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, and olive baboons.

In this national park you can also see the Sindou Peaks, a geological formation of granite rocks and explore the 16th century-old ancient ruins of the Banfora Kingdom.

Located in the southwestern part of the country and covering an area of over 3,300 km², Taï National Park is a has one of the oldest tropical rainforest in West Africa. You will also be able to hike, birdwatch species like the white-breasted guinea fowl and grey-throated rail, contemplate the flora and go on safaris to see endangered wilife like chimpanzees and pygmy hippopotamus.

You might catch a glimpse of the African golden cat, a rare and endangered wild feline that lives in the forests of West and Central Africa. 

Lastly, in the Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve, you will explore an area that spans the borders of Ivory Coast and Guinea. This mountain range, which reaches an elevation of 1,752 meters, is home to a high number of endemic species of plants and animals, such as the Nimba otter shrew, the Potto, the White-cheeked Turaco, the Western Nimba toad, and chimpanzees.

Cascading waterfalls of Man

Les Cascades de Man are a breathtaking natural wonder located in the town of Man in western Ivory Coast. The cascading waterfalls consist of seven separate falls situated just a few miles from the town center of Man and are surrounded by lush vegetation and wildlife.

Visitors can hike to the falls or take an organized tour to enjoy the picturesque views.

Mosques of Ivory Coast

Although there are many mosques in the country, we strongly recommend seeing Samatiguila Mosque in the Denguélé region. This is the oldest mosque in the country with it being approximately 1,000 years old. 

Other mosques that can be worth seeing in Ivory Coast are Tengrela Mosque, the Kong Mosques, and Kaouara Mosque, all three in the Savanes region. 

Landmarks in Abidjan, the most touristic city

• Hôtel Ivoire. It was established in 1963 and quickly became popular for ice skating and watching movies. Renowned for its distinctive 1960s décor featuring African motifs, it became a staple of the city. However, following its renovation in 2011, the hotel has seen a significant shift away from its original style. Guests can book a room starting from CFA 200,000 (approximately $331), and non-guests can access the swimming pool for CFA 25,000 (approximately $42).
• La Pyramide. This building was built between 1970 and 1973 and is considered a highlight of African modernism. Back in the day, expats and elite of Ivory Coast lived in the body the pyramid, while the ground floor was reserved for commercial purposes. 
• Parc du Banco rainforest reserve. This National park covers an area of 3,438 hectares and it is described as a water reservoir and the green lung of Abidjan. You can hike, explore majestic trees and a lake, and see wildlife. You can go a guided tour for CFA 3,000 ($5).
• The National Musem is a cultural landmark showcasing traditional Ivorian art, including masks, sculptures, and textiles from various ethnic groups such as the Akan, Krou, and Mandé peoples. There are also a lot of different exhibits that include beadwork, pottery, and metalwork, artifacts from the colonial period, items from the early years of Ivorian independence and objects related to traditional rituals and ceremonies.
• Monument aux Morts. It was erected in 1914 by the French, commemorating the victims of yellow fever. The landmark is composed of a woman carrying flowers being ready to throw a  flower onto the dead body on the ground.