EXPERIENCE LOME

Overview

The capital city of Togo is Lome, located in West Africa, known for its beautiful palm-lined Atlantic coastline. Situated on the Bight of Benin, a bay sandwiched between Ghana and Benin. A long and thin stretch of 35 miles of coastline, the country is divided into five regions with a hot, humid tropical climate. The country is filled with great diversity with landscapes that include lakes, palm tree-lined beaches, rolling verdant hills, lush forests, and mountains, making it an excellent destination for hiking.

Lome was once dubbed as “the pearl of West Africa”, a charming city filled with tasty maquis (street food) and vibrant colorful markets, and palm-fringed boulevards. The authentic capital is filled with French influences found in the architecture, and cuisine. The heart of the city dates from the early 20th century and is filled with colonial-style architecture seen in places such as the Palace of the Governors.

Lome is a thriving metropolis and home to over 1.5 million residents. There are a plethora of first-rate restaurants, lovely beaches, delicious seafood, and a high quality of life. The varied landscapes throughout the country lead visitors to breathtakingly beautiful locations from the arid north to the waterfalls and lush greenery of the Plateaux region, to the tropical beaches of the south.

Things to see and do

Independence Monument or Monument de l’Independence is situated in the center of a large traffic circle, across from the National Museum and Hotel 2 Fervier, which is the tallest building in Lome. It commemorates Togo’s independence from France on April 27th, 1960, and features a silhouette carved into it.

Musee International d’Art d’Afrique (West African Art Museum) is a fascinating museum and well worth a visit when in Lome. The museum houses a large collection of original African art from the entire Western and Central African regions, some of the pieces are centuries old. There are a lot of wooden sculptures and other really cool objects, some of which were the private collection of a European expat.

Lome Cathedral is situated just around the corner from the main market, a true testimony to the country’s colonial history which is represented in its architecture. Also famously known as the “Sacred Heart Cathedral” this iconic cathedral was built in 1902, and is where Pope John Paul II celebrated mass in 1985.

The Governor’s Palace is a historic landmark built during the German colonization in 1905 and includes a botanical garden, art and cultural exhibits, and great views of the Gulf of Guinea.

Togo National Museum is housed in the Palais du Congres complex, the small museum contains collections of jewelry, musical instruments, dolls, pottery, weapons, and many other objects showing the arts and traditions of Togo.

Musee International du Golfe de Guinee is a small museum that houses a large collection of authentic mainly West African historical items including masks, wooden chairs, and funeral ceremonial items like stretchers and chests. Situated just outside of the city center on the beach and well worth a visit.

Visit Lake Togo for a day and take a canoe trip across the lake to take in the beauty of this area. A coastal strip separates the lake from the Atlantic and forms a lagoon. The lake is a significant sour of food for the locals of Togo. The lake is shallow making it perfect for small children to play, it is a popular place for watersports.

Visit Keran National Park, one of the most beautiful and popular national parks in the country, and one of the most well know. Come out and see the beautiful verdant forests brimming with wildlife including elephants, buffaloes, lions, antelopes, and monkeys. The Kara region is also home to Reserve de Sarakawa where typical African wildlife can be spotted including zebras, buffalo, and many bird species. It was once the private game reserve for President Gnassingbe Eyadema.

The Grand Market is a three-story building that houses this famous market selling everything from fresh produce to freshly caught fish and other items like traditional medicinal remedies. The first floor is home to the famous “Nana Benz” who sells multiple loincloths that are made locally.

Shopping

The biggest shopping attractions in Lome are its markets and some of the most popular souvenirs to purchase are traditional, tribal facial woodcarvings, wax prints, indigo cloth, Kente, and dye-stamped Adinkra cloth from Ghana. Other purchases may include marble ashtrays, gold and silver jewelry, traditional masks, and religious statuettes. Vodoo Stalls are very popular in Lome and in traditional West African dress. This light and airy colorful clothing vies a memorable reminder of your trip. Handmade leather sandals are sold in abundance and handmade malachite (a green, copper-carbonate stone) jewelry.

Lome Grand Market features 3 stories in a large hall and sells pretty much everything from fresh produce, fruit, dried fish, combs, travel bags, and traditional medicine remedies. Nana Benz is located on the first floor, a store known for its clothing. Fetish Market sells voodoo fetishes, gongons, and gris-gris. Centre Artisinale is another souvenir market selling wooden carvings, clay pots, authentic fabrics, local paintings, and African clothing.

Rue des Artisans is the pedestrianized alley situated between Rue Tokmake and Boulevard de la Republique in Lome. This area is filled with fascinating shops to explore and pick up unique souvenirs. Prepare to haggle, as bartering is the norm here. Grand Marche (Rue de Grand Marche) is the largest market in the country located in Lome selling an eclectic mix of goods, from souvenirs to voodoo items, clothing, and electronics. Village Artisanal (Avenue de Noveau Marche, Lome is where artisans can be seen weaving cloth, carving statues, and making wicker baskets, this is a great place to experience their local talent.

The Akodessewa Fetish Market also known as Marche des Feticheurs, it is the world’s largest voodoo market. A very unique experience in the thriving capital of Togo, stroll through this fascinating market where you will find a range of voodoo talismans, and ingredients including monkey heads, skulls, and skins of various dead animals. The healers of this unique voodoo market will have aid for any ailment. Togo is one of the birthplaces of the practice of voodoo, derived from African polytheism, voodoo is a religion that is still practiced today in many parts of the country.

Beaches

The beautiful tropical coastline of Togo features over 35 miles of beach access and is home to several different beaches worth visiting. Lome boasts some of the best pristine beaches in the country and quaint beach towns such as Baguda, and Avepozo, which are among the most beautiful and untouched beaches on the West African coast.

Coco Beach is located in Lome, a beach set in front of the hotel of the same name. A lovely stretch of shoreline that is clean and quiet and set on the Atlantic coast. Lined by coconut trees it is one of the most beautiful beaches in the country with wide boulevards backing the beach boasting accommodations, food, beverages, and shopping opportunities. The beach features golden sand and calm waters and different activities to enjoy.

Saint James Beach is located in Lome, in Togo’s Maritime Region, a calm stretch of soft white sand ideal for unwinding and getting away from the hustle and bustle of the capital city. There is a restaurant in the area serving delicious regional cuisine. There are some quaint colorful beach cottages found here which provide some fantastic accommodation options for visitors.

Boma Beach is located in Lome, a picturesque stretch of golden sand lined with swaying palm trees and offering stunning views. The water here is calm and safe for swimming, there is a restaurant and a resort set right on the beach.

Pure Beach is located in Lome, a lovely golden sand beach that is well-kept and provides breathtaking vistas. The water here can be rough and not safe for swimming, there are pools found at the beachside hotels.

Dining

Togolese cuisine includes staple foods such as maize, rice, millet, cassava, yam, plantain, and beans. Maize is the most commonly consumed food in the region and fish is a significant source of protein. There are a great variety of restaurants and food stalls to choose from. Togolese-style cuisine is a combination of African, French, and German influences and features many sauces and pates, many made from eggplant, tomato, spinach, and fish. Roadside food stalls sell groundnuts, omelets, brochettes, corn on the cob, and cooked prawns. There is an abundance of fruits and vegetables grown in the beautiful green countryside just outside the city, medical herbs also are grown year-round in quantity, quality, and variety. Traditional farmers and traders provide the country with rich organic food supplies and vegetables for national consumption and international exportation. Some of the most popular imported products from Togo are coffee, cacao, avocado, soya beans, and exotic fruits and vegetables.

The country derives its dishes from fresh and locally grown ingredients, its colonial history introduced French and German influences to its foods to enrich them even more and make mouthwatering dishes. There are Lebanese restaurants found scattered throughout the streets of Lome, one of the found in the Kodjoviakope neighborhood. There are a few Chinese restaurants as well, one also found in Kodjoviakope, and the other in Asigame. A few Indian, French, Italian, and American restaurants can also be found in the city. Street food is very popular, especially in the markets.

Some of the popular dishes in the country include Koume, a traditional corn flour served as a side dish with fish, vegetables, and meat stew. Fufu is a paste made from yam, cassava, or plantains and served with a clear sauce or a peanut sauce along with meat of fish, beef, or chicken. Ayimolou is a recipe of rice and beans cooked together in a tomato sauce. Djenkoume is a corn dough dish with tomato, garlic, ginger, and local red palm oil, typically made with chicken. Pinon is one of the most popular dishes, made from cassava flour, ginger, bay leaves, garlic, pepper, tomatoes, and onion, then added to boiled pork or goat meat, a very flavorful dish.

Nightlife

The city of Lome really comes alive at night with local Lomeians getting dressed up to the nines and heading out on the town to numerous bars and discos for a night on the town. The city features many Western-style dance clubs in the downtown area, among two of the best are Privilege, which is attached to the Hotel Palm Beach, and 7Clahs which is in Dekon on the Boulevard.

For a relaxing evening check out the beach at night there are many beachfront restaurants and bars to choose from and of course, sunset is always a great way to end the day with an ice-cold Castle Mile Stout.Another local brew of choice is Tchouk, the locally brewed millet beer, enjoy a calabash full at a tchouk stand. Deha is palm wine, and Sobade, a Togolese bathtub hooch is a grain liquor that burns. There are many international bars, clubs, and restaurants to check out in the Togolese capital. Large beach hotels host beach parties that include traditional music, dance, magicians, and fire artists. There are lots of lively African clubs to check out along the Rue de la Gar in the heart of the city, more upscale clubs can be found around the Boulevard du 13 Janvier.