Ouémé Department

Home to Porto-Novo, Benin's constitutional capital, with colonial architecture, museums and royal palace remains as the main attractions.

Ouémé Department lies in southeastern Benin, bordered by Nigeria to the east and by Lake Nokoué and the coastal lagoons to the south. Its capital, Porto-Novo, is Benin's constitutional capital, preserving Portuguese and French colonial-era buildings, a Brazilian-style mosque, and cultural venues such as the Ethnographic Museum and the Royal Palace Museum. The wetland scenery of the Ouémé River valley is also distinctive. The dry season from November to March is the best time to visit. It is a short drive east of Cotonou.

Destinations

• Porto-Novo

Itineraries

• Southern Benin Loop: Palaces, Voodoo & Lagoons – Starting and ending in Cotonou, this loop covers the stilt village, Porto-Novo, Abomey, Grand-Popo, and Ouidah.