City Details: Cotonou

A few alternate names for Cotonou are: Appi, COO, Catonou, Cotonou, Cotonu, Cotonú, Katanu, Kotonou, Kotonu, Kotonuo

Cotonou is the largest city and seat of government of Benin. Its official population count was 679,012 inhabitants in 2012; however, over two million people live in the larger urban area.

Inspired by Petr Knoll and Filip Zrnzevic
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Cotonou

General Information

  • Official Name: Benin
  • Common Name: Benin
  • Population: 679012
  • Timezone: Africa/Porto-Novo
  • Coordinates: 6.36536, 2.41833
  • Country Code: BEN
  • Continent: Africa

Closest Airports to Cotonou

  • 1. Cadjehoun Airport (COO), distance from city center: 3.86 km
  • 2. Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS), distance from city center: 102.50 km
  • 3. Lomé-Tokoin Airport (LFW), distance from city center: 130.54 km

Location of Cotonou

Benin Country Details

  • Country: Benin
  • Official Name: Republic of Benin
  • Capital: Porto-Novo
  • Region: Africa
  • Subregion: Western Africa
  • Population: 12,123,198
  • Area: 112,622 km²
  • Languages: French
  • Currency: West African CFA franc (Fr)
  • Timezones: UTC+01:00
  • Flag: Flag of {countryDetailsInfoJson[0].name.common}

Has borders with:

  • Burkina Faso
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Togo

Holidays in Cotonou, Benin

Planning a short trip? Check out the Long Weekends Calendar in Benin for 2026

  • New Year's Day - 2026-01-01
  • Traditional Day - 2026-01-10
  • Easter Sunday - 2026-04-05
  • Easter Monday - 2026-04-06
  • Labour Day - 2026-05-01
  • Ascension Day - 2026-05-14
  • Whit Monday - 2026-05-25
  • Independence Day - 2026-08-01
  • Assumption Day - 2026-08-15
  • Armed Forces Day - 2026-10-26
  • All Saints' Day - 2026-11-01
  • National Day - 2026-11-30
  • Christmas Day - 2026-12-25
  • Boxing Day - 2026-12-26

Museums in Cotonou, Benin

Museum

Fondation Zinsou

Rue des Missions, Cotonou, Benin

Coordinates: 6.3626° N, 2.4207° E

Hours: Mo 13:00-19:00 • Tu-Fr 8:30-19:00 • Sa 10:00-19:00

Museum

La galerie nationale

Rue Les Cocotiers, Cotonou, Benin

Coordinates: 6.3567° N, 2.3915° E