Beautiful landscapes, vibrant cities, captivating rainforests, iconic buildings and highbrow restaurants, Cote d’Ivoire Or Ivory Coast has got them all. 

From rural, tucked in the hills settlements, to cosmopolitan cities such as Abidjan, which is known in some circles as “The Manhattan of Africa”, the country offers up delights at every turn. 

If you’re planning to visit Cote d’Ivoire in the near future, here are some interesting places you shouldn’t miss. 

Places To Visit In Cote d’Ivoire Or Ivory Coast

For obvious reasons, any trip to Cote d’Ivoire is hardly complete without visiting Abidjan, the commercial hub of the country. With so many skyscrapers and other exotic structures, it’s tempting to wonder why this city is not the capital, or even whether you’re still in Africa. Especially when even the restaurants give off a decidedly continental vibe!

However, where this city really shines is that despite its European influences, it doesn’t quite manage to lose its traditional essence. 

You can enjoy a five-star treatment in one of the restaurants overlooking the ocean, or dive deep into the mainland to experience the local attractions. 

Parc National de Tai

Many people have explored this 5000sq-km dense rainforest, but nobody has been able to fully unravel the mysterious beauty of this excellent strip. 

This national park is such a vast reservoir of wildlife that even till date, new life forms are discovered almost on a regular basis. 

One of the few remaining areas of primary rainforest in West Africa, the Parc National de Tai is a World Heritage Site. Keep a keen lookout for extra smart Chimpanzees when you visit this place, along with elephants, buffaloes, and a wide range of other animals. 

Yamoussoukro

Compared to the glamorous Abidjan, Yamoussoukro is almost timid. Yet, this city is charming in its own way. 

In addition to being the capital of the country, it is the capital of the Senoufo tribe. You’ll find a large number of gigantic buildings here, including the presidential palace and the peerless St Peter’s Basilica. In case you didn’t know, this church is the largest in the whole world. 

While the hustle and bustle of normal city life is largely absent here. You can bask in the laid-back experience this city offers and find time for quiet reflection. 

Man

Man is every hiker’s dream! When you get tired of peering at monolithic historical buildings and are chomping at the bit to test yourself against nature, head over to Man. This city is not known as “the city of 18 mountains” for nothing, after all. 

The air is cooler, the streets are more slippery, and the peaks are covered in lush green vegetation in Man. There are also waterfalls, and a bamboo forest absolutely covered in butterflies. The effects are amazing, but you need to see it for yourself. 

Grand Bassam in Ivory Coast

Rounding off our list is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bassam is covered in beautiful, sparkling beaches with plenty of fascinating stories to tell. 

This beach used to be one of the most popular destinations for tourists. And locals alike, until a series of tragedies, faded it’s appeal immensely. Nevertheless, this site is slowly but surely recovering its verve. 

If you’re planning to visit this site, don’t go near the water at all. Strong currents in the water can and do kill people every year.