Abidjan is a vast coastal metropolis spread around a tropical lagoon, with bridges linking business districts, residential areas, markets and port facilities. Modern towers dominate part of the commercial centre, while other neighbourhoods are known for dense street trade, restaurants and nightlife. Its size, traffic and divided geography are essential to understanding the city, which does not revolve around one old centre or a single group of landmarks.
The city is one of West Africa’s major centres for music, fashion, contemporary art and food. Galleries and formal cultural venues sit alongside live music, street stalls and large markets, creating a strong sense of current urban life rather than a preserved historic atmosphere. The city can feel intense for a first-time visitor, but clear planning by neighbourhood makes its scale easier to manage.
.svg)
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
