ouidah

ouidah, benin

Ouidah, located in Benin, is a historic town known for its role in the transatlantic slave trade and as a spiritual center of Vodun (Voodoo) religion. The "Route of the Slaves", a 4-km trail, leads to the Door of No Return, a memorial honoring enslaved Africans who were shipped across the Atlantic. Key attractions include the Ouidah Museum of History, Python Temple (a sacred Vodun site), the Catholic Basilica, and the Portuguese Fort. Visitors can explore Vodun festivals, colonial-era architecture, and cultural traditions. The best time to visit is January, during the annual Vodun Festival. Ouidah is accessible via a 1-hour drive from Cotonou, with entry fees for attractions ranging from $5–$10.