Stories · Côte d'Ivoire
3 days in Abidjan
The story I wish I had read before going.
My first time in Abidjan, I tried to see everything and mostly saw queues. Now I do it differently: a few places a day, the right ones, in the right order. Here is my 3-day thread.
Day 1 · The icons
In the morning, meet me at Pont Ado. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.5 out of 5 across 229 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: here is the route by public transport · what visitors say.
Then, it’s LouiSimone Guirandou Gallery. I always pick two or three rooms rather than seeing everything. You walk out light. Unmissable, and for good reason. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise go through Tiqets.
For lunch, trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
Later, head to Treichville. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Unmissable, and for good reason. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or also check Tiqets.
Keep the evening free. Abidjan is a city that tells itself better at night.
Day 2 · The icons
Early in the morning, I make my way to Salam Mosque of Plateau. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Unmissable, and for good reason. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise compare on Tiqets.
Late morning, it’s St. Paul's Cathedral. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Travellers give it 4.5 out of 5 (4,244 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise go through Tiqets.
For lunch, Abidjan is full of options: trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
After lunch, I make my way to Musée des Civilisations de Côte d'Ivoire. The audio guides are worth it; otherwise, follow a group and steal three anecdotes on the way. Everyone goes; everyone is right. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise go through Tiqets.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and Abidjan does the rest.
Day 3 · Fresh air
To start, head to Office Ivoirien des Parcs et Réserves (OIPR). This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. Unmissable, and for good reason. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise also check Tiqets.
Around noon, meet me at Carrefour Monument Abidjan Cocody Riviera Faya. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise compare on Tiqets.
At lunchtime, stay around Abidjan: a noisy room, a dish of the day, and you’ve understood everything.
In the afternoon, head to Paradisia Abidjan. The kids will still be talking about it weeks later. So will the adults, though they admit it less. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or go through Tiqets.
Keep the evening free. Abidjan is a city that tells itself better at night.
If you’re still hungry
Other places I wish I could have fitted in: Splash Park Angre II Plateaux, Abidjan Mall, Playce Shopping Mall, French Institute Côte d'Ivoire, Parc National du Banco and Galerie Cécile Fakhoury. Slip them in wherever a day feels light.
My advice
Walk. Then take public transport: that is where you see the city live.
Book the busiest places the day before: queues have ruined more than one morning.
Keep a little local cash: the best addresses are often the least equipped.
And if you go, tell me what you loved. Abidjan changes, and so do I.
A Triovol story · written by someone who would go back tomorrow
Opening hours, prices and closures change: a quick look at the venue’s website before you go avoids bad surprises.