The Atlas Obscura Guide To Ouidah

3 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Ouidah, Benin

Updated June 19, 2026

Email

Unusual Attractions in Ouidah

Pythons at the temple.

Ouidah, Benin

The Temple of Pythons

Dozens of snakes are housed and worshipped within the walls of this Vodun temple.

Door of No Return.

Ouidah, Benin

La Porte du Non-Retour (The Door of No Return)

A monument to the more than one million enslaved Africans deported from the port of Ouidah.

Ouidah, Benin

Fort of São João Baptista de Ajudá

This singular fort was once the smallest colony in the world, an international oddity

Are we missing something unusual?

Cotonou, Benin

Amazon Statue

The 100-foot-tall (30-meter) bronze statue was built to recognize the world's only documented all-female army.

22 miles from Ouidah

Cotonou, Benin

Ganvie Lake Village

Africa's Venice on stilts.

24 miles from Ouidah

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Ouidah, Benin

Voodoo 1

Temples 1

Snakes 1

Animals 1

Sacred Spaces 1

Slavery 1

Legends 1

Religion 1

History 1

Black History 1

Arches 1

Ouidah Leaderboard

Places Added

Join the Ranks!

Add an unusual place to Ouidah.

Places Edited

Join the Ranks!

Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

Join the Ranks!

Visit a place in Ouidah.

Recent Ouidah Activity

martinaclarknyc profile photo

martinaclarknyc

has been to The Temple of Pythons
martinaclarknyc profile photo

martinaclarknyc

has been to La Porte du Non-Retour (The Door of No Return)
martinaclarknyc profile photo

martinaclarknyc

has been to Fort of São João Baptista de Ajudá
marygraceb1013 profile photo

marygraceb1013

wants to go to La Porte du Non-Retour (The Door of No Return)
jessicaryi2003 profile photo

jessicaryi2003

wants to go to The Temple of Pythons