Flights to Abidjan

From the airport

Taxis and hotel transfers take around 20 to 40 minutes to the Plateau or Cocody, depending on traffic over the lagoon bridges. Orange taxis are metered in principle, but agree the fare first. Carry your passport or a copy, as photo ID checks are common. Hotels in Marcory and Zone 4 are closest to the airport, while the Plateau and Cocody suit business trips.

The Plateau and Cocody

The Plateau is the business heart of the city, with towers that look out over the Ébrié Lagoon. Nearby, St Paul's Cathedral has a striking modern design and stained glass showing African and biblical scenes. Across the water, Cocody is home to embassies, hotels and the National Museum of Civilisations, which displays masks, statues and textiles from the country's many peoples.

Markets, maquis and music

Treichville and Adjamé markets are busy and chaotic, selling wax-print fabrics, produce and household goods, while the Cocody craft market is calmer for souvenirs. Evenings revolve around maquis, open-air restaurants serving attiéké, a cassava couscous, with grilled fish or chicken and fried plantain, called alloco. Bars in Zone 4 and Marcory play coupé-décalé and zouglou late into the night, and weekend live music is easy to find.

Day trips and timing

Banco National Park offers forest walks on the city's western edge. Grand-Bassam, with its colonial quarter and beach, is about 45 minutes east, and Assinie's lagoon resorts are around two hours away. The Atlantic beaches near the city have strong currents, so swim only where locals advise. Abidjan is warm and humid all year, and December to March is driest. Allow a couple of days to get a feel for the city before heading to the coast.

Planning time in Abidjan? Call 020 7871 4545 and we'll arrange your flights.