Once the capital of the Fon Kingdom, Porto-Novo can be seen on a short day trip from Cotonou. There's little to do in Benin's official capital except look at the jumble of colonial, native and Islamic architecture and visit one of two well-kept museums. Those interested in West African culture will find the Ethnographic Museum of Porto-Novo very worthwhile (excellent masks, carved drums, costumes, tools, etc.
). We particularly enjoyed the beautifully carved wooden gates at the entrance (they're from an ancient king's palace in the northeast town of
Ketou). The other museum, the Royal Palace (also known as the Palais Royal and the Musee Honme), is the old Fon kings' palace. Try to plan your trip so it coincides with market day in nearby
Adjarra (every fourth day): Its market has
vodu objects, musical instruments (particularly many types of drums), tie-dyed cloth, pottery and other local handicrafts. One block north of the market area is a 19th-century church that has been converted into a colorful mosque. Plan two hours to see Adjarra's sights, unless it's market day, then allow two more. Also nearby is
Aguegue, another water village similar to (though smaller than) Ganvie.
Porto-Novo is 20 mi/30 km east of Cotonou.
