7 of the Absolute Best Things to do in Lomé, Togo

There are some awesome things to do in Lomé, Togo!

Whether you are passing through or settling down, there are some absolute must see’s and things to do in Lomé! Lomé is quite a small city, and so you could easily do all of these things in one busy day or spread out over several more relaxed days.

It gets very hot there so you may need to take a break at the beach! Lomé is located right on the water and you can even see the ocean from the central market.

I met a moto driver named Amen when I needed to find where to buy a bus ticket. He ended up joining me to explore the best things to do in Lomé and we had a lot of fun.

In my opinion, some things to do in Lomé that are listed in larger publications aren’t really worth your time. I opted to keep this list shorter and only include the things to do that are worth your time.

So here they are, the best things to do in Lomé, Togo!

1. The Grand Marché

I made the silly mistake of asking where Lomé’s Grand Marché was while standing a stone’s throw away from it. There’s an outdoor and indoor portion of the market, and you can find anything your heart desires there.

Enjoy the hectic market environment. I just bought a ton of mangoes and browsed around eating them in the midday sun. You can buy snacks, meals, clothes, meat, vegetables, purses, baskets…anything!

Don’t forget to bring plenty of water, or of course you can buy it at the market.

You can also chat with the vendors and learn about their lives. Some travel in for the market, and others live locally.

I found that as a tourist people generally left me alone in the market unless I initiated a conversation. It was a lovely chaotic market, but it was not intimidating.

The Grand Marché is authentically Togolese and a must do for anybody who visits Lomé.

Note: A lot of guide books and tourist sites also recommend going to the Handicraft Market and also the the Fetish Market. I decided to leave them out of this list of things to do in Lomé. I found that you could have a more authentic experience with Fetish Markets in smaller towns in neighboring Benin. The Handicraft Market is the place to go to buy tourist trinkets, but expect steep prices and be prepared to bargain. Both places are great places to go if you want to support local vendors and are not on a strict budget. They may be a bit overwhelming for introverts (like me haha).

2. The Lomé Cathedral

The Lomé Cathedral looms over the Grand Marché and so you can easily visit it while exploring the market. Did you know that Togo was once a German colony? This cathedral attests to this complicated colonial history that still affects the lives of the Togolese today.

The Lomé Cathedral is in good condition and is worth a quick visit!

3. Monument de l’Independence

Although it takes just a few minutes to see, I think seeing the Monument de l’Independence is still one of the best things to do in Lomé. It is a beautiful monument in the center of a large traffic circle and represents the end of colonial rule in Togo.

To tell you the truth, the area is gated and so you can’t go inside to get a close up view. But you are bound to drive by it while  navigating around the other things to do in Lomé!

4. The National Museum and the Palais de Congres

I listed these two together because the National Museum of Lomé is actually located inside the Palais de Congres (though the entrance is on the far side and not the main entrance).

Who wouldn’t be able to enjoy the unique 1960s architecture? I love it.

The National Museum is small but houses a collection of cultural and historical artifacts. From tools to clothing to musical instruments, it is a great place to catch a glimpse of Togolese culture. There is also a sobering section that details the history of the slave trade in the region that I think is important for every visitor to see.

5. Musée International d’Art d’Afrique (West African Art Museum)

I found this museum to be fascinating and well worth a visit. In fact in my opinion it may be the best touristic thing to do in Lomé. They even have a student rate so don’t forget your Student ID.

This museum houses a very large collection of original African art from the entire Western and Central African regions. Some pieces are centuries-old.

There are a LOT of pieces to see. They are primarily wooden sculptures but there are other objects that are very cool. If you’re into art you will love this place.

It was originally a private collection that belonged to a European expat. He then sold it to a Chinese man who keeps it as a museum. The young tour guides who work there are great and will give you a very detailed tour and explanation of the objects. I should say, though, that the tour will most likely be in French.

To find the museum, you need to go outside of the center of Lomé on the N2 (the road along the beach) in the direction of Benin. Just check Google Maps! The museum itself, though, is an unassuming door that is easy to miss. It is actually a nice private residence so you have to ring a bell to be let in.

6. Go to the Beach!

You can’t visit a city next to the ocean without going to the beach! Togo has some amazing beaches and you can easily visit some of them from Lomé! It’s definitely one of the best things to do in Togo.

The best way to visit the beach is to go to or stay in a hotel that is on the beach and offers beach services. New Robinson Plage is an option that has comfortable rooms and a nice beach and restaurant. It is a bit outside of town but you can easily take a shared taxi there for cheap (they zip up and down along the beach). Hotel Coco Beach is also really popular!

The Atlantic is pretty rough in this part of the world, so swim with caution.

Also, it is best for tourists to avoid the beaches that are not affiliated with a restaurant or hotel. Apparently theft and muggings can occur there and it is not closely monitored. I was even advised to avoid walking on that side of the road and opt to walk on the city side of the road.

So be safe, but also be sure to enjoy some fruit juice and a trashy book on the beach for me!

7. Meet Wonderful Togolese People

Cheesy, I know, but I really enjoyed meeting people on buses and bush taxis or just in markets. I think the best thing to do in Togo is to get to know the Togolese people.

Eat at local restaurants, chat with women selling mangoes in the market, take public transportation…these are all great ways to not only experience local life but also to get to know these wonderful people!

Enjoy exploring Lomé!