Benin is promoting its cultural and historical sites, despite being often overlooked by international travellers. The country has recently invested in tourism and cultural projects, including the Marina Boulev'art in Cotonou, which is described as Africa's largest street art wall.
Unveiled in 2024, the Marina Boulev'art is nearly a kilometre long and features works from 40 local and diaspora artists depicting Benin's history and future aspirations. In Ouidah, the "Door of No Return" stands as a monument to the slave trade, from which millions of Africans were forced onto ships. Ouidah also hosts the Python Temple, a site for the Vodun belief system, an official religion of Benin.
The stilt village of Ganvié on Lake Nokoué, home to approximately 25,000 people, has existed for four centuries. Its origins are linked to the slave trade, with the Tofinou people reportedly fleeing slavers to settle there. Ganvié's future is threatened by pollution, overfishing, and invasive water hyacinths, though locals hope increased tourism can support infrastructure improvements.