Experience the Best Cities to Visit in West Africa Today

Editor: Kirandeep Kaur on Jul 28,2025

West Africa is a captivating contradiction of cultures, histories, and artistic expressions that you won’t find in any other part of the world. For its colorful street markets and music beats, the aroma of spiced food, West Africa's best cities are sensory delights. These places are not just some of the finest West African places for urban tourism in Africa, but also doors to the continent's richest cultural heritage. No matter if you are attracted to cultural cities in Africa, interested in embarking on food tours in West Africa, or wish to trace the finger of music traveling Africa, there are infinite reasons to discover the region.

Accra, Ghana – A City of Music, Travel Africa and Culture

Accra, the Ghanaian capital, tops the list of the best West African cities to visit due to its lively atmosphere, historical depth, and contemporary creativity. Accra is Africa's leading cultural city, filled with an engaging culture.

Why Go to Accra:

  • Cultural Scene: The Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, the W.E.B. DuBois Center, and the National Museum of Ghana are all sites that demonstrate the city's political and historical legacy.
  • Dining Out in West Africa: From jollof rice, banku, and tilapia, to kelewele, you will find each of these at street food stalls and fine dining establishments.
  • Music Travel Africa: Accra is rich in nightlife and has a spectrum of Afrobeat and highlife to experience. Visit Republic Bar or +233 Jazz Bar to hear both bands present and their rhythm and soul that is every bit Ghanaian.

Accra is everything urban travel in Africa promises it can be; it is lively, full of culture, and something new to experience every day.

Lagos, Nigeria – Urban Energy and Culinary Adventures.

Lagos is one of the best West African cities, experiencing nonstop action and creativity at every turn. As Nigeria's capital of commerce, it must be included on any itinerary or list of the best 

West African cities.

Why You Should Visit Lagos:

  • Culture: The National Theatre, Nike Art Gallery, and Freedom Park all share insight into Nigerian identity, art, and history.
  • Food Scene: Lagos is a food destination. Take a tour of the food scene in Lekki or Victoria Island, and try suya, egusi soup, and puff-puffs.
  • Music Capital: Lagos serves as the hub for Afrobeats (pun intended). Watch a live show, or listen to music festivals like Gidi Fest.

As a centre for music tourism in Africa, Lagos combines a contemporary night scene infused by indigenous beats, and is pure bliss for the music lover and adventure seeker alike.

Dakar, Senegal- Rhythm & Coastal Charm

coastal view of dakar city in west africa

Dakar seamlessly combines French colonial legacy and vibrant African customs, as it sits right on the Atlantic coast. Scenic Dakar is not only one of the best cities to visit in West Africa but also an African crown jewel of cultural cities.

Reasons to Explore Dakar:

  • Historical Significance: Take a day trip to Goree Island where you'll experience a moving history of the transatlantic slave trade.
  • Art and Fashion: Dakar has the reputation of hosting the Dakar Biennale and has a fashion reputation to match, placing it at the top of the list as an urban travel destination in Africa.
  • Food and Music: Dakar will have you testing the food tour options in West Africa with thieboudienne (Senegal's national dish) while you enjoy mbalax music playing in clubs and bars.

Dakar is a great entry point to music travel in Africa—it's dazzling, soulful, and deeply emotive.

Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire - the "Paris of West Africa"

Abidjan, known as the "Paris of West Africa," is stunning with its newest urban skyline, cosmopolitan feel, and its burgeoning purveyor of post-colonial culture. It's sure to be one of the top cities to visit in West Africa for an immersive, high-end experience.

Why Visit Abidjan:

  • Art and Culture: The Museum of Civilizations, Galerie Cécile Fakhoury, and the Abobo Cultural Center unveil a rich fabric of Ivorian life.
  • Food Tours West Africa: The city's food is a French-African blend—sample alloco, attiéké, and grilled chicken both on the streets and upscale.
  • Music Travel Africa: Birthplace of coupé-décalé music, Abidjan comes alive at night in clubs such as Parker Place and VIP Discothèque.

Abidjan is worthy of claiming a spot among West Africa's premier locations thanks to its contemporary but culture-oriented offerings.

Banjul, The Gambia – Calming and Cultural

As a small city, Banjul has a peaceful but unpolished West African experience to offer. It may not be showy, but it is still one of the more enjoyable destinations in West Africa for cultural reflection and seaside calm.

Why Visit Banjul:

  • Heritage Sites: Visit the Arch 22 monument and the National Museum to get immersed in Gambian history.
  • Markets and Food: Visit Albert Market and join food tours in West Africa to try benachin and domoda.
  • Music Travel Africa: There are many ways to have live kora performances. Enjoy them when you attend cultural nights and music festivals.

Banjul is the quintessential urban travel in Africa that is peaceful and exciting; it is perfect for anyone who wants something more relaxed and charming.

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso - Artistic Soul of the Sahel

Typically overlooked, Ouagadougou is the cultural heart of Burkina Faso. This artistic epicenter is a no brainer among the top West African cities to visit for travelers who enjoy creativity, and genuine art.

Reasons to go Ouagadougou:

  • Film + Art: The FESPACO Film Festival is one of Africa’s largest festivals, the festival celebrates the story-telling of African cinema.
  • Cultural Cities Africa: The artisans of Ouagadougou are exceptional craftsman, weaving, bronze-casting, pot-making to name a few, it is a craftner’s - those who live by selling their crafts dream.
  • Food + Music: Enjoy tô (a maize porridge) and brochettes, with probably the only live band playing at Mossi (a local style) rhythms, complete with contemporary fusion.

In the category of music travel Africa, Ouagadougou offers an interesting sonicscape - allowing you to hear the resonances of the past and the creativity of the present.

Lomé, Togo - Gateway to Hidden Treasures

When it comes to personality, Lomé may be small, but it is full of character. This is the coastal capital that made the list of the top cities in West Africa to visit because of its friendly people, vibrant markets, and richness of mixed culture.

Why Go to Lomé:

Markets and Culture: The Lomé Grand Market is bustling, and the fetish market provides a glimpse into spiritual practices.

  • Food Tours West Africa: When you let someone's local cooking tour take you to find akpan (a local dish), grilled fish, ablo (a dough product), you'll show up for the food and enjoy wonderful company.
  • Music + Community: The live music is outdoors at Lomé's open-air bars and festivals, the spaces between tradition and cooler urbanism...meets.

For urban travel in Africa, Lomé is a good place to stop for a little off the beaten path experience.

Niamey, Niger - Culture and Desert

Located in Niger on the Niger River, Niamey is a hint of a variation of West Africa. For those seeking a primarily rural - culturally rich - destination, it's hard to beat Niamey as one of the premier cities to visit in West Africa.

Why Niamey:

  • Museums and Mosques: The National Museum of Niger and the Grand Mosque represent the history of the country.
  • Culinary Scene: Millet meals, grills of meat, and local dates are highlights of the food tour of West Africa.
  • Musical Experience: Hausa traditional music mixed with desert blues, which gives a raw, pure experience to the music travel Africa enthusiasts.

Niamey redefines the urban travel of Africa through simplicity, heritage, and hospitality.

Top 10 Must-Have Experiences in West African Cities

1. Experience a Local Music Festival

From Afrobeats in Lagos to Dakar's mbalax, music festivals are central to music travel Africa.

2. Visit a Street Market

Experience culture and food in the crowded markets of Accra, Lomé, and Banjul.

3. Try a Traditional Plate of Food

Don't forget to try traditional foods, which include jollof rice, thieboudienne and attiéké, using food tours to travel west Africa.

4. Visit Historical Monuments

Places such as Goree Island and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park describe strength and pride.

5. Meet Local Artists

Make sure to take a trip to art shows and workshops in cultural cities in Africa such as Ouagadougou and Abidjan.

6. Experience Night Life

Brightened with sounds that describe music travel Africa, Lagos, Accra and Abidjan offer vibrant nightlife travel experiences in the evening.

7. Take a Cooking Class

Enhance your culinary experience by learning how to cook local meals hands-on.

8. Take part in a Cultural Dance

Participate in a traditional performance in villages or city festivals.

9. Use Public Transport

Get the beat of city life in a tro-tro or danfo, experiencing urban travel in Africa at first hand.

10. Watch a Local Movie

From Burkinabé to Nollywood, the cinema of Africa is a journey all its own.

 Final Thoughts: Why West Africa is Your Next Travel Adventure

Electrifying with energy, rooted in tradition, and so rich in flavors, West Africa is not just a place to visit; it is an experience. The top cities to explore in West Africa offer you more than stunning landscapes; they welcome you to the heart of the continent. Whether you're having food tours of West Africa, experiencing music travel in Africa, or strolling through the heritage of cultural cities in Africa, this continent provides every visitor a strong narrative to bring home.

So, if you're seeking the best West African destinations with abundant heritage, irreplaceable flavors, and music that speaks to you, there's no better time than now to discover the rich cultural gem that is West Africa.


This content was created by AI