Africa
Benin
Littoral Department
Cotonou
Places to visit in Cotonou
Marche Dantokpa

Marche Dantokpa, Cotonou: Address, Phone Number, Marche Dantokpa Reviews: 4/5

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Marche Dantokpa

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Marche Dantokpa
4
58
#3 of 17 things to do in Cotonou
Flea & Street Markets
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What people are saying
Joanna R
By Joanna R
“One of the biggest African markets”
Apr 2019
It could be a frustrating and chaotic experience for non-Africans, but I believe that every traveler should visit this market. You can find many thinks from food, fabrics, handicrafts, etc (it doesn't mean that you will find at a better price. There are smaller markets for that). But still, it is a market that you will have a very good feeling about the daily life of the locals. I also recommend crossing the river with the " pirogue", the wooden boat that the locals use for their transportation
“Wonderful market!”
Jan 2020
I love visiting out door markets when I travel, and this being Africas largest made it to tempting not to visit! I went early, about 8-9 AM because it is cooler. It is busy, sure, but no where have I been able to walk this undisturbed! People greeted me, and when they understood that I do mot speak French, they did their best in English! I just love this people! Oh, did I say that I was alone, female 50 + and speak no French? It went just fine! But do not be naive, wear your bag in front of you!
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
77 within 5 kms
Maquis du Port
162
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0.7 km
Mojito
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0.8 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹
Le Prive
56
1 km₹₹₹₹ • French • European
Mousquetaire
1
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Le Berlin
28
1.1 km₹₹₹₹ • African
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Attractions
9 within 10 kms
Fidjrosse Beach
67
0 mBeaches
Marché Ganhi
1
0.6 kmFarmers Markets
Cotonou Cathedral
9
1 kmChurches & Cathedrals
Fondation Zinsou
86
2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Artisanal Center
96
1.9 kmArt Galleries
Institut Français Du Bénin
2
2.5 kmCivic Centres
L'art Du Bénin D'hier Et D'aujourd'hui
2
2.7 kmExhibitions
Etoile Rouge
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4.0
58 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
33
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Joanna R
Athens, Greece144 contributions
One of the biggest African markets
Apr 2019
It could be a frustrating and chaotic experience for non-Africans, but I believe that every traveler should visit this market. You can find many thinks from food, fabrics, handicrafts, etc (it doesn't mean that you will find at a better price. There are smaller markets for that). But still, it is a market that you will have a very good feeling about the daily life of the locals. I also recommend crossing the river with the " pirogue", the wooden boat that the locals use for their transportation
Written 3 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Carin B
116 contributions
Wonderful market!
Jan 2020 • Solo
I love visiting out door markets when I travel, and this being Africas largest made it to tempting not to visit! I went early, about 8-9 AM because it is cooler. It is busy, sure, but no where have I been able to walk this undisturbed! People greeted me, and when they understood that I do mot speak French, they did their best in English! I just love this people! Oh, did I say that I was alone, female 50 + and speak no French? It went just fine! But do not be naive, wear your bag in front of you!
Written 6 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sergio B
Accra, Ghana34 contributions
Transfer by bus Lagos Accra
Nov 2019
To reach Accra from Lagos I took a bus and travelled across Benin and Togo. I remember Blvd St Michel, much traffic under a hot and bright Sun. Unfortunately I could not stop and take a walk there.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
kingdom
Cotonou, Benin19 contributions
Awesome
Oct 2019 • Business
DanTokpa is the only international market in Benin Republic, Cotonou.
But while visiting dantokpa for the first time, you have to be very careful of démarché.
They will be pretend of helping you asin taking you to places where they are selling what you want but all the places they show you and you bought from there, they has their (comition) also be careful on agboro. Tokpa is very beautiful in dry season but in rain season it's not.
You can buy anything at Dantokpa
Written 22 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Shimnik
Delft, The Netherlands6,328 contributions
Mostly for locals
Dec 2018 • Solo
Dantokpa is the largest open air market in West Africa. It covers more than 20 hectares, has 5.000 selling points and "employs" 25.000 people! Merchants mainly ell multicolored fabrics, foodstuff, alcoholic beverages, clothes and shoes, household electrical appliances, mobile phones, spare parts for cars, motorcycles and bicycles, cosmetics, household chemicals, jewelry, bijoux, as well as religious items and handicrafts. It is mostly oriented for locals. If you need souvenirs, it is better to visit Artesian village (centre Artisanal) close to Hall des Arts, Loisirs et Sports.
Written 24 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Whereintheworlf
168 contributions
Not for the fainthearted
Sep 2018 • Friends
The market is large and there is also a building with 2 stories of kiosks mainly selling material and jewellery. If it has just been raining, the sellers take longer to open their kiosks and the outside area becomes muddy and messy with lots of muck and puddles. Beware of guys claiming to be security and offering to show you around free of charge. They insist on accompanying you and get very grumpy if you don't give them at the end. We visited the fetishes market as well. It is part of the larger market. It may well shock you to see live rats, cats, tortoises and egrets in cages. There were also heads of horses, dogs, baboons and monkeys for sale. Dead parrots, snakes and barn owls abounded.I am not sure if any of this decimation of wildlife is respectful of CITES. I rather think not. They even had a leopard's head. If you care for nature don't go there, because even a casual walk-through can be interpreted as interest in the animal products on sale.
Written 29 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ifeabidakungbemisola
Lagos, Nigeria1 contribution
How to buy plain and pattern material
Aug 2018 • Business
Please I need help on where to buy plain and pattern in Benin Republic. Please I need help on how to buy. Thank you
Written 12 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Anago James Akeem Osho
96 contributions
The typical city Market
Aug 2017 • Business
It is a very interesting place for visitors that are visiting Benin republic for the first time. It is a quick and practical way of meeting the people. There are diverse items here to be purchased but the negotiation for the prices of products could be frustrating. The market is diverse culturally as different tribes are represented. And do not be surprised if you hear someone speak your native language, where ever you may come from.
Written 28 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Luca R
50 contributions
Awesome
Jun 2018 • Friends
Beautiful, colourful, smelly, crowdy street market where you can find almost everything you may need. Get prepared to negotiate for hours for every little thing. The only non-negotiable prices are for wax tissues (there are so many!). Definitely my favourite place in Cotonou.
Written 9 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Alexa D
Abuja, Nigeria67 contributions
Rather rowdy and stressful
Feb 2017
I was unable to buy anything because the market was too stressful and extremely rowdy. I left with nothing.
Written 24 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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