The 6 Best Day Trips from Cotonou
How far each place is, what to see there, and a plan for the day.
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There are 6 good day trips from Cotonou, Benin, led by Lagos, Lomé, Abeokuta. The closest is Porto-Novo, about 40 min by car, and 1 of them fit into half a day. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.
Built from 6 nearby places, with sights from real traveler trips, on Packy AI. Last updated November 2026 by the Packy AI Travel Team.
Day trips from Cotonou
- 1
Lagos, Nigeria
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 40 min by car108 km east of CotonouKnown for Apapa Amusement Park.
- 2
Lomé, Togo
Full-day tripAbout 2 hr 5 min by car135 km west of CotonouKnown for Marché des Féticheurs.
- 3
Abeokuta, Nigeria
Full-day tripAbout 2 hr 5 min by car135 km north-east of CotonouKnown for Olumo Rock Tourist Complex.
- 4
Ebute Ikorodu, Nigeria
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 55 min by car121 km east of Cotonou - 5
Porto-Novo, Benin
Half-day tripAbout 40 min by car25 km north-east of Cotonou - 6
Shagamu, Nigeria
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 15 min by car146 km east of Cotonou
A sample day: Cotonou to Lagos
- 07:30Leave Cotonou
- 09:10Arrive in Lagos (1 hr 40 min drive)
- 09:25Apapa Amusement Park
- 11:25Lunch
- 12:40Explore the old town, markets and cafes of Lagos
- 15:10Head back to Cotonou
- 16:50Home in Cotonou
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best day trips from Cotonou?
- The best day trips from Cotonou are Lagos, Lomé, Abeokuta, Ebute Ikorodu, Porto-Novo. The closest is Porto-Novo, about 40 min away by car.
- What is the closest day trip from Cotonou?
- Porto-Novo is the closest, 25 km north-east of Cotonou, roughly 40 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
- Where can I go within an hour of Cotonou?
- One place is within about an hour's drive of Cotonou: Porto-Novo (40 min).
- What is the biggest city near Cotonou for a day out?
- Lagos is the largest city in day-trip range, 108 km east of Cotonou and about 1 hr 40 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
- Where can I go for a weekend from Cotonou?
- For a weekend away from Cotonou, pick the places far enough to be worth a night: Shagamu (146 km, 2 hr 15 min), Abeokuta (135 km, 2 hr 5 min), Lomé (135 km, 2 hr 5 min), Ebute Ikorodu (121 km, 1 hr 55 min). Closer places on this list work better as a single day.
- How far is too far for a day trip from Cotonou?
- Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Shagamu at 146 km, around 2 hr 15 min by car, which is better as a long day or an overnight stay.
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