Stand on King's Square in the Central Business District and the city's long memory is right there with you: the Benin City National Museum on one side, the walled compound of the Royal Palace of Oba of Benin a short way off in Ogogugbo. Benin City rewards travellers who come for Edo history and culture rather than for a checklist of sights.
It suits visitors with a day or two to spare, people who are comfortable arranging their own transport and asking locally for directions, and anyone interested in the Benin kingdom, its court and its surviving architecture. This guide covers the places worth your time, with practical notes on how to fit them together.
Top things to do in Benin City
1. Benin City National Museum
This museum in King's Square, CBD, displays artifacts reflecting the history and culture of the Edo people and the Benin kingdom. Much of Benin's cultural heritage was looted and now resides in the British Museum, so what remains here is a valuable introduction to what you are seeing elsewhere in the city.
Come here first to give context to the palace and the older buildings. The curators may also be able to tell you what is possible at the Royal Palace of Oba of Benin, so ask before you set off.
2. Royal Palace of Oba of Benin
This is the home of the Oba of Benin in Ogogugbo. The original Kingdom of Benin palace was established around 1255-1280 AD by Oba Ewedo and was rebuilt in 1932.
You may not be able to get inside, and the exterior fence means you cannot see much from the outside. Treat it as a place to view respectfully from the street, and check at the museum beforehand in case access arrangements have changed.
3. Ogiamien Palace
Located at 102 Sakponba Rd, Avbiama, this is the only building that survived the 1897 British expedition. That alone makes it the most historically significant structure you can see in the city.
Combine it with your museum visit so you can place it in the wider story of the city. As with any historic building, go quietly and respectfully.
4. Okomu National Park
South of Udaken, this is one of the last patches of undisturbed rainforest in Nigeria, with the possibility of seeing chimps, dwarf crocodiles, warthog, monkeys, African buffalo and even possibly elephants.
Directions are somewhat unclear, so it is best to contact the Nigerian National Park Service on +234 7069666450 for more details before you travel. Allow a full day for this rather than trying to squeeze it into a city itinerary.
5. Ogba Zoo
Ogba Zoo sits on Airport, Ogba Rd, in Ogogugbo, and is open daily from 11:30 to 6PM. You have a chance to see the lion and other animals, which look pretty pitiful in their cramped quarters.
Go with realistic expectations and treat it as a short stop rather than a highlight. It pairs naturally with the Ogogugbo side of the city, where the Royal Palace of Oba of Benin and Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium also sit.
6. Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium
On Stadium Rd, Ogogugbo, this multi-use stadium was built as Ogbe Stadium. It is used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Bendel Insurance FC and Edo Queens FC, and it is named after the two-time Governor of the old Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia.
If a match is on, this is one of the liveliest ways to spend an afternoon in the city. Otherwise, it is a straightforward look at a working local ground while you are already in Ogogugbo.
7. Kada Plaza Cinema & Entertainment Centre
At 111 Old Sapele Rd, Oka, in Oredo, this is a movie theatre in an ultramodern mall with an array of shops. Food and popcorn vendors are available too, and the environment is safe and secure with metered parking.
This is the obvious choice for an evening, especially if the weather turns, since the city is hot and humid year-round and generally very dull between July and September.
8. Oredo Local Government Area Secretariat
This is the Local Government Area Secretariat of Oredo in Benin City. It is a working administrative building rather than an attraction, so visit only if you have business there or a specific interest in how the city is administered.
It sits in Oredo, the same local government area as Kada Plaza Cinema & Entertainment Centre, so the two can be combined in one outing.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Benin City National Museum in King's Square, CBD, to get your bearings on Edo history and the Benin kingdom. Ask the curators there about the Royal Palace of Oba of Benin before you walk over to it in Ogogugbo and view it from the outside.
Afternoon: Head to Ogiamien Palace at 102 Sakponba Rd, Avbiama, the only building that survived the 1897 British expedition. If time allows, continue to Ogba Zoo on Airport, Ogba Rd, which opens at 11:30, or take in Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Stadium Rd while you are in Ogogugbo.
Evening: Finish at Kada Plaza Cinema & Entertainment Centre on Old Sapele Rd, Oka, in Oredo, for a film, some food and a safe, secure place to wind down with metered parking.
Frequently asked questions
Can I go inside the Royal Palace of Oba of Benin?
You may not be able to get inside, and you cannot see much from the outside because of the exterior fence. The curators at the Benin City National Museum may know more, so ask there.
How do I arrange a visit to Okomu National Park?
Directions are somewhat unclear, so it is best to contact the Nigerian National Park Service on +234 7069666450 for more details. It lies south of Udaken.
What are the opening hours of Ogba Zoo?
Ogba Zoo, on Airport, Ogba Rd, is open daily from 11:30 to 6PM.
Where can I watch a film in Benin City?
Kada Plaza Cinema & Entertainment Centre at 111 Old Sapele Rd, Oka, in Oredo, is a movie theatre in an ultramodern mall with shops, food and popcorn vendors, and metered parking.
Decide which of these fits your days, confirm the details that matter to you before you travel, and you can start planning your trip to Benin City.