Togo's to-dos: best things to add to your itinerary

It’s not often you hear of someone heading to Togo on vacation. This sliver of West Africa doesn’t always make it onto travel lists, often overshadowed by its more famous neighbours like Ghana, but Togo deserves consideration for many reasons. By the time you finish reading about the best things to do in Togo, you're sure to be checking flight prices — if not already packing your bags!

Where is Togo?

You may have heard the name before, but finding this narrow strip of land on a map can be tricky. Stretching about 579km (360 mi) from north to south, this country is only 160km (100 mi) wide. Situated in West Africa, Togo is tucked between Ghana, one of the region's best-known countries, and Benin, the birthplace of vodou (also known as voodoo). To the north, it shares a border with Burkina Faso. Boasting an impressive geographical diversity, from sun-drenched coastlines and lush rolling hills to semi-arid savanna, Togo is packed with natural beauty and adventure.

Is Togo worth visiting?

Despite its small size, Togo is home to more than 40 ethnic groups. It feels like every few miles, you can encounter new cultures, traditions, songs, and languages. Beyond its diverse and friendly people, Togo overflows with a variety of things to do, whether that’s climbing its highest mountain, Mt Agou, chilling on spectacular Aneho Beach, or staring wide-eyed as elephants pass you in Fazao Malfakassa National Park. Yes, Togo is worth visiting, and we’ve gathered a solid starting list of things to do for you.

Learn about voodoo at a fetish market

To understand the Akodessewa Fetish Market, you might need to rethink your definition of the word fetish. No, it’s not about toes or handcuffs. In the world of voodoo, a fetish is an object believed to hold supernatural or magical powers, often used as a charm or talisman. That’s exactly what you’ll find at Akodessewa Fetish Market, in the form of animal skins, bones, dried herbs, and a concoction of other things that might surprise you. Being the world’s largest voodoo market, Akodessewa is one of the top things to do in Lomé, Togo's capital city, and a fascinating place to learn and witness the rich traditions of West African spirituality.

Get lost in Lomé's Grand Marché

A slightly different kind of market from Akodessewa, the Grand Marché in Lomé is a maze of colour, energy, and entrepreneurship. This bustling marketplace stretches across an entire city block, overflowing with vendors selling everything from vibrant wax prints and handcrafted goods to fresh produce and fragrant spices. What sets Grand Marché apart is its rich history of female business owners. The legendary Nana Benz, a group of savvy businesswomen, rose to prominence here, dominating the trade of luxurious wax print fabrics. Their influence extended far beyond Togo, with their textiles making their way to the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and England, cementing their place as pioneers of African fashion on a global scale.

See it for yourself on: Ghana, Togo, & Benin: Castles, Coastlines and Voodoo Discoveries

Admire the Sacred Heart Cathedral

A quick stop but a top thing to do in Lomé is the Sacred Heart Cathedral. Built in 1901 by German colonists, it became and still is one of Togo’s most iconic religious landmarks. Take a moment to admire this striking red and white neo-Gothic church with twin bell towers and intricate stained-glass windows.

Appreciate African heritage

If you want to learn some history and culture, head to the International Museum of the Gulf of Guinea in Lomé. Founded by a private collector, the museum aims to preserve and promote African heritage through its impressive collection of African art, cultural artifacts, and historical pieces.

Learn the stories of the Batammariba

With more than 40 distinct ethnic groups calling Togo home, seeing each group's different ways of life, traditions, and cultures makes the country a unique destination. One of the most remarkable places to explore is Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Togo, near the border with Benin.

The Batammariba are renowned for their mud-brick tower houses, called takienta, which some liken to small castles. These homes are clusters of structures, each serving a specific purpose, such as bedrooms, kitchens, and storerooms, offering a glimpse into their practical yet spiritually rooted way of life. In addition to learning about their traditional architecture, there’s much to appreciate from observing their ceremonies, connection to the Earth, spirituality, and community life.

See it for yourself on: Togo and Benin: Local Markets, Koutammakou and Voodoo Traditions

Chase butterflies while hiking Mt Kloto

Mt Kloto is a modest mountain near Kpalimé in southwestern Togo. The mountain stands 710m (2,330 ft) tall, so most people don’t come here to be blown away by its height. Instead, they visit to take on a hiking trail through the dense forest, enjoying panoramic views and spotting butterflies — more than 500 species can be found here.

See it for yourself on: West African Adventure: Highlights of Ghana, Togo & Benin

Explore Lake Togo

Lake Togo is actually the largest lagoon in Togo, located just east of Lomé. While many visit to enjoy the lake's serene nature, watch for birds, ride in a canoe, and go fishing, the towns on its shoreline are just as much of an allure. The most popular include Togoville, Aného-Glidji, and Agbodrafo. All are worth a visit if you have the time because of their distinct uniqueness, but Togoville is typically the one at the top of travellers' lists. Boasting deep voodoo roots and a colonial past, there’s plenty to learn from this town, as well as simply enjoying its slow-paced way of life.

Spot elephants in Fazao Malfakassa

Togo has three national parks, and Fazao Malfakassa is the largest. Here’s where you really feel the benefit of Togo being an overlooked country by most tourists, because you won’t find many in the national park either. Enjoy hiking through its lush forest in search of waterfalls and wildlife. The park is home to elephants, antelopes, monkeys, buffalo, and more than 200 bird species. Make a bet on whether you’ll spot a tourist or an elephant first!

Embrace the energy of Atakpame

Atakpame isn’t on every traveller's Togo itinerary, giving it the feeling of being largely untouched by tourism. It’s a fantastic place to immerse yourself in West African culture, meet welcoming locals, and get sucked into the energy of the markets.

See it for yourself on: Togo and Benin: Local Markets, Koutammakou and Voodoo Traditions

Eat seafood and relax on Aneho Beach

No visit to Togo is complete without grabbing your towel, putting on your swimsuit, and heading to the beach. Aneho Beach is one of the country’s most famous. Close to the Benin border, Aneho Beach, with its golden sands and swaying palm trees, is a welcome escape from the hustle of Lomé and its busier shores.

Aneho is more than just a beach destination. It was once a colonial capital and a key centre in the trade of enslaved people in West Africa, adding a layer of history to a visit. If you’re a seafood lover, don’t leave without tasting the fresh catch of the day at a beachside restaurant — it’s bound to be one of your most memorable meals and top things you do in Togo.

Witness traditional dance in Sokodé

Togo’s second-largest city offers a different vibe from the capital of Lomé with its strong Islamic influence. The city is home to the Tem (Kotokoli) people, known for their rich traditions such as music, dance, wrestling events, and lively festivals. If you join a G Adventures tour, you have the honour of witnessing a traditional horse dance, followed by a captivating fire dance with roots from the north of Togo, usually performed only for special occasions and festivals.

See it for yourself on: Ghana, Togo, & Benin: Castles, Coastlines and Voodoo Discoveries

Hike Togo’s highest mountain, Mt Agou

Standing proudly at an elevation of 986m (3,235 ft), Mt Agou is Togo’s tallest peak and one of the best places to go hiking. Trails are well-marked, and there’s something to tackle no matter your fitness level. As you ascend, you pass through charming villages at the base, offering a glimpse into authentic rural Togolese life. Continue to be rewarded with panoramic views of Togo.

Learn about traditional weaving in Bafilo

Bafilo, in northern Togo, is famous for its traditional cloth, which has been woven and worn for generations. The vibrant colours and intricate patterns carefully crafted onto the fabrics each tell a story of the local culture and heritage. Watching these artisans at work with the rhythmic hum of weaving looms in the background is a memorable experience.

See it for yourself on: West African Adventure: Highlights of Ghana, Togo & Benin