Abidjan

Abidjan, the economic capital and largest city of Côte d'Ivoire, is a vibrant, cosmopolitan metropolis sprawling around a vast lagoon, sometimes called the Manhattan of West Africa for the gleaming high-rise skyline of its Plateau business district. It is a city of striking contrasts, from the modernist St Paul's Cathedral and upmarket Cocody district to the teeming markets and lively working-class quarters of Treichville and Adjamé. Famous across the continent for its energetic nightlife, restaurants and the infectious coupé-décalé music born here, Abidjan is a dynamic, fast-moving and quintessentially West African city, the beating heart of the nation.

History

A Tchaman oral tradition says the name came from a misunderstanding: an old man carrying branches, asked by a European the name of the place, replied "M'bi min djan", "I've just been cutting leaves". The city grew quickly after a new wharf was built in 1931, and the opening of the Vridi Canal in 1951 made it an important seaport (Wikipedia, Abidjan).

What to look for

• The Plateau skyline - the gleaming high-rise business district.
• St Paul's Cathedral - the striking modernist cathedral.
• The markets - the teeming Treichville and Adjamé markets.
• The nightlife and music - the legendary coupé-décalé scene.

When to go

November to March, the drier season, for the most comfortable weather; the city is lively year-round, with a nightlife and music scene that pulses every weekend. The cooler, drier months are best for exploring the markets, districts and lagoon, and for enjoying the outdoor cafe and maquis eatery culture.

Before you go

Abidjan is a big, hot, humid and sometimes chaotic African metropolis with heavy traffic, stark contrasts of wealth and poverty, and the usual big-city precautions, so its appeal is energy, culture, music and food rather than polished sights; As a dynamic, cosmopolitan and vibrant city, the cultural and economic heart of the Ivory Coast, though, Abidjan is a fascinating and lively introduction.

Nearby

Grand-Bassam, the beaches and the lagoon villages are close by.

Key facts