Top 15+ Things to Do in Lome : Togo

Let me start by saying, Lome is not your typical tourist destination.

It’s not your Paris or your Rome.

It’s more like your hidden gem, your secret hideaway.

And believe me, once you discover it, you’ll be telling all your friends about it.

Lome is a small, narrow city located in West Africa, specifically on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea.

It’s a place where the sweltering heat and the warm hearts of the locals meet to create an unforgettable experience.

I remember when I first arrived in Lome, I was struck by the friendliness of the people.

Everywhere I went, I was greeted with a smile and a warm “Bonjour!” (that’s “hello” in French, by the way).

But what really blew me away was the countryside.

The beauty of the landscape was breathtaking.

From the swamps and lagoons of the south, to the plateau and central mountains, to the dry grasslands in the north – Lome has it all.

And let’s not forget about the food!

The people of Lome work on small farms, and they grow some of the most delicious yams, corn, and cassava I’ve ever tasted.

I can still remember the taste of the grilled corn on the cob I had at a street vendor’s stand.

It was like nothing I had ever tasted before!

Lome is also a place rich in history and culture.

The main people are called the Ewe, Mina, and Kabre, and many of them have been living in the region for centuries.

Their traditions and beliefs are still very much alive, and you can see it in the way they celebrate their festivals & rituals.

In Lome, you’ll find a mix of religions – Islam, Christianity, and traditional beliefs (voodoo).

It’s a place where people of different backgrounds and beliefs come together and coexist peacefully.

Lome: Best Time to Visit?

Lome’s atmosphere ranges from tropical in the southern part and savannah I the northern side.

Heavy rainfall usually occurs from May to October.

The summer and drought season normally arrives from the middle of July up to the end of September.

The months of February to April is the most ideal time to visit the capital city of Togo, while November to February is the driest and also a perfect time to spend a vacation there.

Avoid the rainy season because most of the roads become inundated or impassable after a heavy downpour due to floods.

Best Things to Do in Lome

If you’re planning to visit the vibrant city of Lome in Togo, get ready for an exciting array of attractions and awesome things to do.

Let’s dive in:

Grand Marche

A visit to the Grande Marche is a beautiful experience while in the city of Lome.

It is a great market that is strategically located near the big beach in Lome.

You will find everything that you need here starting from; textiles, food, shoes, spices, souvenirs, handicrafts, etc.

It is a very large bazaar.

The only drawback when visiting this market is the unbearable heat since the stores are so close to each other and the huge number of people that visit the market.

It is definitely a great place to buy beautiful and colorful African fabrics.

You can browse for what you need and haggle for negotiated prices and you will be satisfied with your purchases.

A visit to the Grand Market is a mandatory thing to do while in Lome because this is the central point of all the trading and economy of Togo.

You will also find nearby Supermarkets like Ramco and the Coco Beach area where you will find lots of maquis (local diners).

A visit to the central market is worth it to know a little about the culture in Togo and at the same time see all the diversity of products available.

Unfortunately one of the places where the market was installed before caught fire for some time.

Strolling in the market gets to be a little difficult because there are many people, cars and motorbikes, all mixed in one place.

This must be done if one passes Lomé, like a rite of passage, but some days there are so many people and it becomes difficult to move.

But it is also the nation’s pride, their fair advantage of the African culture.

So the next time you’ll be traveling in Africa, specifically in Togo, take a ride to see this great center of culture and trade.

This is a must when in Lome; the colors, flavors, smiles, a great atmosphere that is close to the sea and more.

Go check it out!

Marche Aux Fetiches

The Marche Aux Fetiches is one of the goals required of any trip or a visit to any work in Lome.

The place is full of odd and curious things that are somewhat interesting and quite unsuitable for sensitive souls.

This market, however, allows the curious traveler to find out something about the traditional religions of the place.

The vision of severed heads of animals (horses, donkeys, dogs, cats, etc.) is pretty raw.

The stench of carrion some still in the process of decomposition / putrefaction (all used for traditional medicine) does not help to overcome the visions described above.

If you ask locals around here and see it from their perspective this market is more of the “pharmacy of the Voodoo rites”.

While going around this market you will learn that voodoo is part of the Togolese culture, and for the market fetishists this is the place not to be missed.

If you believe in black magic and voodoo it’s a great place to be educated to the functionality of fetishes.

But if you have a chance to visit the shop of Abomey and Ouidah, you will have a guide who will educate you about the religious aspects of voodoo and away from the “black magic” impression that some believe when the word voodoo is mentioned.

If you do not like the smell of rotten birds or skins, ignore this market.

Popular Lome Tourist Attractions

National Museum

The National Museum is not very large but it is divided into two; the historical and ethnographic one.

It has many objects, but it lacks markers and guides.

It would be helpful to have more explanation of what you see in order to appreciate the significance and importance.

The petite museum has no air conditioning, loaded with rich content , but lacks further description, and certainly needs to be further developed.

Too bad the museum has almost seems abandoned.

You can still visit the museum to support its existence.

The National Museum is authentic with its pre-colonial history, ancient relics, areas that show the basic life in the rural regions of Togo.

There are some wonderful wooden sculptures of musical performers and local weavers.

It also shows images of traditional dancers wearing horns, scarves, and brightly colored beaded skills.

All shows are in French (Togo’s official language).

Nonetheless, it is worth spending time in case you’re looking for something to see and learn within one hour.

Musee International du Golfe de Guinee

The Musee International du Golfe de Guinee is a small museum that is housed in a private bungalow.

This museum contains a private collection of West African art of varying quality.

It has a total of three to four smaller rooms to visit, and the courtyard of the bungalow.

The artworks are close to each other and fill the small exhibition rooms.

The downside is the didactic explanations of the artworks are not offered and some items are often missing their label plates.

Do not miss seeing this museum that faces the Gulf of Guinea and carries one of the great Eco-tourism sites in Lome.

The Togolese people here are friendly, the atmosphere is warm, and the guides are competent.

If you are planning to visit, list down its full name and address because most taxi drivers do not know where the museum is.

Monument de l’independence

The Monument de l’independence stands right in the center of Lome and is certainly a place that is hard to miss.

The monument is surrounded by a well-manicured lawn, a fountain with clear and clean water, a few palm trees in the right place, very neat, and calm making this place an oasis that is worth seeing.

The monument serves as a tribute to Togo’s autonomy from France (April 27,1960).

The structure has the shape of an individual cut inside it and is encompassed by paved walking areas, well tended gardens, wellsprings with dark and gold metal fences.

It is a taxi ride away from the city center .

It is an extraordinary spot to take good photos.

The recreation center serves as a venue for national events and festivals.

However, no one is allowed to enter the fenced area of the monument, but you can clearly see the engraved details that is inscribed in and around this famous monument in Lome.

To better understand the story of this landmark attraction in the city you must know about its interesting history.

For about 400 years since the arrival Portuguese explorers in the 1400s until the 1800s, Togo along with its other cities and Lome was caught up in the slave trade business and earned the name “Coast of Slaves”.

German missionaries and traders arrived in the mid 1800s and Germany gradually took over Togo.

During World War I, the country was occupied by Great Britain and France.

The area that Great Britain controlled was initially called the British Togoland and became part of the Gold Coast (now called Ghana) in 1956.

The French Togoland became independent in 1960.

The following years saw rivalry and political clashes between the north and the south with extended periods of military rule.

The multiparty elections held in 1993 were won by President Eyadema, but his regime was soon replaced by opposition forces and parties and had him ousted while still in power.

Village Artisanal

The Village Artisanal is a couple of shops spotted inside a substantial yard.

There are more than twelve stalls installed here with a great variety of things to offer like; icon statues, religious images, wooden models , Painting cards, book markers, artworks, Togo paintings, potteries, old costumes, ceramics and so on.

It is very calm inside this village of skilled workers, there is no pressure on you to buy and neither one will annoy or ask you and insist to buy their craft.

If someone approach you and offer guide services, it is advisable to avail of it for you to be able to understand the cause and goal of this village.

All artisans are extremely average and affable.

The village is located about 400 meters away from the northern side of Ramco Supermarket.

If you need gifts to bring back home, choose to buy it all here.

It is priced considerably lower and the final price can also be negotiated with for a lower value.

If you purchase more than one thing, they gladly give discounts for your next purchase for another item.

You will be entertained well by the skilled artisans who are at work with creative looking and fancy colored batik textiles and fabrics, and cowhide craft works.

You will witness the entire process and they will answer your questions about the batik dyeing task if you have one.

There is a reasonable choice of African materials and it is shown in stalls instead of spread or placed in the ground.

The artisan market is genuinely clean and some of the sellers talk good English.

Dissimilar to numerous markets in Lome, the merchants here don’t pressure anyone, plus, more of them are gracious and ready to answer questions.

If you meander through this market alone you will feel safe and secured if you walk along with a local.

In the event that you are searching for trinkets of Togo this is the perfect spot to find it.

Fun Activities & Games in Lome

Coco Beach

The Coco Beach of Lome offers a beautiful view of the ocean and coconut palms while you relax under the parasols with a drink in one hand and a serving of the best Togolese cuisine courtesy of its owner.

Credits goes to the new owners who manage to keep a beautiful private beach after the political turmoil and kept safe, it is also a great place for families.

The owner offers self catering of buffet service of fishes bought directly on the beach which are delicious.

Specialties includes; shrimp, lobster, and grilled fish.

The owner is also a tour guide and he can arrange interesting excursions all around the city of Lome.

Or bring you to other interesting parts of the nearby Gulf of Guinea.

Betamaribe

The Betamaribe community exists on both sides of the fringe in the middle of Togo and its neighboring country- Benin.

Betammaribé actually signifies as the group of “individuals who manufacture produce while working the wetland.”

The expression “Somba”, which additionally describes them signifies “great artisan.” Their homesteads are detached and not grouped in tight communities and they generally have two levels.

The house is noticeably symmetrical, as per an East-West hub, the “south” side is that the sacrosanct and the side of man.

The same applies to the loft patio: the south is where they save a few millet, rice and sorghum harvests dubbed as the “male” seeds, while to the north the “female” seeds, beans, peas, potatoes and peanuts are put away.

The entryway (which did not exist in the most recent century, since the porch can only be accessed by the adjacent sliding scale) is confronting west, far from overwhelming precipitation and harmattan.

Lome Beach

The Lomé Beach is an uncommon place in the city mainly because of its sheer size, armed with more length than width: it gives an exceptional touch to the capital of Togo without being an agreeable spot.

The sun here is un excessively extreme for a sunbathing session, also irritating as what the locals told.

Swimming is not suggested during the heavy rain fall season because of the strong undercurrent and energy of the sea waves in the Gulf of Guinea.

Likewise, it is still an outstanding area for the eager fisherman who like this area and can still physically pulling up their manual fishing implements.

If you need to take photographs of them while working it is definitely ok.

You can spend time watching the hustle and bustle of the local life here and also observe all the upcoming boats approaching its narrow port harbor.

This beach is lined with coconut trees that provide enough shade.

There is no beach infrastructure but there are some hawkers who will insist you buy food , drinks, or fruit.

Downtown Lome

Lomé, Togo’s capital, appears to live a financial blast because of the progressive development in its port movement.

The city never stops improving, it has become sprawling, with broadening of streets at the cost of little organizations and help of the business sector and investors.

Numerous kilometers of streets rather occupied with its chaotic traffic, while a two-route avenue along the limitless sandy shoreline stands majestic on which most fisherman from the city keeps pulling over and over, by hand, an overwhelming and catch filled net.

On the shoreline of the Downtown Lome you can see women who are drying clothing and later, between the interstate and the harbor dividers, and little market enclosures.

Lome is conversely a gathering of great number of avenues in the ground, a ton of cruisers in the waters, autos of all ages from old to new and tremendous billboards, neon advertising, and posters touting the most recent technological or gadget products.

All the above simply demonstrate the latest sleek models.

In addition  in front of that is the sight of locals who need to survive and work daily with their meager means of livelihood.

If you are ready to see the beauty of nature and simplicity of the people (aside from their peculiar beliefs about voodoo and black magic despite the clear signs of modernity), visit the city of Lome, Togo.

Lome is city that is still hounded by the mistakes of the past and without many attractions to see, but still worth a visit.

Famous Places in Togo

Get ready to embark on a Togolicious adventure and discover the hidden treasures of Togo.

From gravity-defying houses to breathtaking waterfalls, Togo is a small but mighty country brimming with exciting and famous destinations.

Grab your sense of humor, pack your curiosity, and let’s dive into the fun-filled world of famous places in Togo:

1. Koutammakou: Where the Roofs Reach for the Sky

Step into a fairytale land where the houses defy gravity—Koutammakou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Marvel at the Batammariba people’s incredible mud houses with roofs that seem to touch the heavens.

These extraordinary structures stand tall, as if they are challenging gravity itself.

It’s like living in a real-life “Up” movie!

2. Tamberma Valley: The Fortress of Clay

Prepare to be amazed by the Tamberma Valley’s architectural marvels!

Here, you’ll find clay houses that don’t just shelter people but also double as formidable fortresses.

These clay castles were ingeniously designed by the Batammariba people to protect against intruders.

You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a fantasy world, where every house is a kingdom of its own.

3. Lome: Sun, Sea, & Savoir-Faire

Welcome to Lome, the capital city of Togo, where the sun kisses your skin, the sea beckons you, and the people know how to have a good time!

This vibrant city offers a delightful mix of modern and traditional experiences.

Whether you’re exploring the bustling markets, lounging on the stunning beaches, or immersing yourself in the lively cultural scene, Lome will captivate you with its unique savoir-faire.

4. Lake Togo: Tranquility by the Waters

Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and find tranquility at Lake Togo.

Imagine yourself surrounded by lush greenery, with a gentle breeze caressing your face as you indulge in some fishing or boating.

This picturesque freshwater lake is a haven for nature lovers and a perfect spot to unwind.

Remember to bring your fishing gear and camera—memorable moments and Instagram-worthy shots await!

5. Cascade de Kpime: Nature’s Majestic Shower

Prepare to be mesmerized by the breathtaking beauty of Cascade de Kpime.

Picture yourself standing in awe as water cascades down from a rocky cliff, forming a sparkling curtain of mist.

Take a dip in the refreshing pool at the base of the waterfall or simply bask in the serenity of this natural wonder.

It’s like nature’s way of giving you a refreshing shower while you admire its grandeur.

6. Mount Agou: Conquer the Heights

Calling all adventure seekers!

Mount Agou, the highest peak in Togo, awaits your conquering spirit.

Lace up your hiking boots and get ready for a thrilling trek to the summit.

As you ascend, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Feel the adrenaline rush as you challenge yourself and embrace the conqueror within.

Don’t forget to capture that victorious selfie at the peak!

7. Slave House of Togo: Reflecting on History

Step into the Slave House of Togo in the historic town of Togoville—a solemn place that invites reflection on a dark chapter of human history.

Stand in the same spaces where slaves were held captive and learn about their heartbreaking stories.

It’s a reminder of the resilience and strength of those who fought for freedom and justice.

Let this visit ignite your empathy and deepen your understanding of the world.

8. Kara: Where Traditions Come Alive

Welcome to Kara, a city that bursts with vibrant traditions and cultural festivities.

Explore the lively markets where you can find unique crafts, taste local delic

acies, and witness the spirited energy of the people.

Don’t miss out on the famous Evala wrestling ceremony, where participants showcase their strength and agility in a thrilling display of athleticism.

It’s like watching a real-life action movie, Togolese style!

9. Fazao-Malfakassa National Park: Nature’s Playground

Get ready to unleash your inner explorer at Fazao-Malfakassa National Park!

Embark on guided safaris or nature walks, where you’ll encounter magnificent elephants, playful monkeys, graceful antelopes, and a myriad of colorful bird species.

Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of this biodiverse haven.

Nature’s playground is calling, and you’re invited to join in the wild adventures!

10. Aneho: Where History Meets Serenity

Step into the charming town of Aneho, where history comes alive amidst serene surroundings.

Walk along streets lined with colonial-era architecture, bask in the golden sun on the beautiful beach, and immerse yourself in the vibrant fishing community.

To experience the true essence of Aneho, join the locals during their cultural festivals, where traditional music, dance, and customs take center stage.

It’s like traveling back in time while enjoying the present moment.

So my dear friend: Pack your bags, put on your adventurer’s hat, and get ready to explore these famous places in Togo.

From gravity-defying houses to nature’s wonders and cultural delights, Togo has it all.

Discover the hidden gems, create unforgettable memories, and embrace the magic that awaits you!

FAQs

What language do they speak in Lome?

The official language of Lome is French.

What kind of food can you find in Lome?

The people of Lome grow yams, corn, and cassava, which they use to make a variety of dishes.

You can also find grilled meats, seafood, and street food like grilled corn on the cob.

Is Lome safe for tourists?

Like any other city, it’s always best to take precautions and be aware of your surroundings.

However, Lome is generally considered safe for tourists.

Just be sure to follow the usual safety tips, like avoiding dark and isolated areas at night, and keeping your belongings close to you.

What is the weather like in Lome?

Lome has a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity throughout the year.

The rainy season runs from April to October, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in May and June.

The dry season runs from November to March.

What are some popular attractions in Lome?

Some popular attractions in Lome include the National Museum, the Fetish Market, the Akodessewa Voodoo Market, the Independence Monument, and the Lome Grand Market.

How do I get around in Lome?

The most popular modes of transportation in Lome are taxis and zemidjans (motorcycle taxis).

Buses and minibuses are also available, but they can be crowded and uncomfortable.

What should I pack for a trip to Lome?

It’s best to pack light, breathable clothing as the weather in Lome can be hot and humid.

You should also pack comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent, sunscreen, and a hat to protect yourself from the sun.

What is the currency used in Lome?

The currency used in Lome is the West African CFA franc.

It’s best to exchange your currency at a bank or a licensed exchange bureau to avoid scams.

Some places also accept US dollars and euros, but it’s always best to check beforehand.