Zou

Abomey is the historic capital of Benin's Zou Department, about 100 km northwest of Cotonou and Porto-Novo. Once the political heart of the Kingdom of Dahomey, the city is best known for the Royal Palaces of Abomey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of West Africa's most important heritage destinations.

The royal palace complex preserves the mud-built residences of several Dahomey kings, with walls decorated in symbolic bas-reliefs and collections of artefacts now housed in the Historical Museum of Abomey. Fon culture and Vodun traditions remain central to local identity, and Abomey's crafts scene continues to produce appliqué cloth, bronze work and carved objects.

Beyond the palaces, visitors explore the tombs of the kings, the nearby town of Bohicon with its busy markets and transport links, and the underground village of Agongointo-Zoungoudo a short drive away. The town's wide streets, royal sites and craft workshops give it a quieter, heritage-focused atmosphere compared with Benin's coastal cities.

Abomey functions as an administrative and cultural centre for the Zou region, with agriculture, crafts and tourism supporting the local economy. Bohicon, just east of Abomey, serves as the main commercial and railway hub for the area, while Cana Airport provides a small regional airfield.

Leisure travellers come mainly for Dahomey history and culture, while business and development visitors use Abomey as a base for regional administration and trade. The city is best combined with Cotonou or Porto-Novo on a southern Benin itinerary.