Togo — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“A capital on the Gulf of Guinea, a fetish market, World Heritage mud-tower houses, and voodoo culture”
Togo is an unspoiled West African country — Lomé, a capital on the Gulf of Guinea beaches, and Akodessewa, the largest voodoo (fetish) market in the world — while the north has the World Heritage mud-tower houses of Koutammakou, the hill town of Kpalimé with waterfalls and butterflies, and Lake Togo with its waterside villages — a land that lovers of the unusual can still discover.
Togo at a glance
Choose a city in Togo
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Togo right for you?
Why people love Togo, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
Akodessewa fetish market
The largest voodoo market in the world — skulls, animal hides and ritual herbs, an experience found nowhere else.
Koutammakou mud houses
Koutammakou, a UNESCO World Heritage site — the tower-shaped mud houses of the Batammariba people, living architecture.
The town of Kpalimé
Green hills, the Kpime waterfall, coffee and cocoa plantations, and clouds of colorful butterflies in a cool, pleasant climate.
Lake Togo
Cruise to see voodoo villages on the water, fishermen's lives, and calm, beautiful nature.
Gulf of Guinea beaches
Long beaches by the capital — relax over fresh seafood by the waves, in a West African mood.
Lomé, the border city
A lively capital with the Grand Marché market, Lomé Cathedral, and the life of a port city.
Togo vs its neighbors
| Togo | Ghana | Benin | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $40–86 | $46–100 | $37–80 |
| Visa (Thai passport) | Apply in advance / e-visa | Apply in advance | Apply in advance / e-visa |
| Known for | Voodoo · World Heritage mud houses | Beaches · slavery heritage | Voodoo · the Abomey palaces |
| Main language | French | English | French |
| Country size | Small · easy to get around | Medium | Small · easy to get around |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
Culture & ritual
The Akodessewa voodoo market, Lomé Cathedral and the villages of Lake Togo over 3–4 days.
See this plan → 🏰World Heritage
The Koutammakou mud-tower houses, the town of Kara and the north, for history and architecture lovers.
See this plan → 🦋Nature & hills
Kpalimé's waterfalls and butterflies, coffee and cocoa plantations, and hill hiking, for slow travelers.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
1 ranked reviewsNo reviews match these filters — try removing some.
- 1🥣
Fufu
Soft pounded cassava or maize dough, eaten with peanut soup or tomato soup.
📍 Staple - 2🍢
Brochette
Grilled chicken or goat skewers seasoned with African spices, eaten with bread or rice.
📍 Street food - 3🫘
Akume
Boiled, pounded maize shaped into balls, with bean soup or fish sauce — a traditional Ewe dish.
📍 Local dish - 4🐟
Grilled Fish
Fresh Gulf of Guinea fish grilled over coals, served with maize couscous (atieke), on Lomé beach.
📍 Beach - 5🥜
Peanut Soup
A rich peanut soup with chicken or fish, nutty and mildly spicy — a West African classic.
📍 Traditional soup - 6🍺
Solibra Beer
A local Togolese beer, drunk cold against the humid heat — popular in beach bars.
📍 Drinks
- 1🪄
Akodessewa Fetish Market
The largest voodoo market in the world — animal skulls, hides, herbs and ritual fetishes.
📍 Lomé - 2🏰
Koutammakou
The tower-shaped mud houses of the Batammariba people, UNESCO-listed, living architecture in the north.
📍 World Heritage - 3🦋
Kpime Falls
A waterfall in the wooded hills, with a cool climate amid colorful butterflies and coffee gardens.
📍 Kpalimé - 4🛶
Lake Togo
Cruise to see voodoo villages by the water, fishermen's lives, and traditional rituals.
📍 Southern coast - 5🏖️
Lome Beach
A long beach on the Gulf of Guinea in the heart of the capital — relax over seafood in an African mood.
📍 Lomé - 6⛪
Lome Cathedral
An old German-colonial Catholic cathedral, European architecture in the heart of an African city.
📍 Lomé
🚆 Getting around Togo
Zemidjan (Zemi-John)
The common motorbike taxis — cheap and fast, ideal for short trips around town.
Taxis and toto
Shared taxis and three-wheelers — agree on the fare before boarding, as there are no meters.
Intercity minibuses
Small buses linking Lomé, Kara and Kpalimé, waiting at the central bus station.
Lomé International Airport
LFW receives flights from Paris and major African cities; there are no direct flights from Thailand.
Car with driver
Recommended for the northern routes to Koutammakou — some roads need a high-clearance vehicle.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Togo
Voodoo — religion and way of life
Voodoo is an indigenous religion blending ancestor and spirit beliefs, with rituals central to daily life.
Greetings matter a lot
Togolese place great importance on polite greetings and embraces — not greeting is considered rude.
Ask before photographing
Especially at the fetish market and rituals — ask permission first, and there may sometimes be a fee.
Dress modestly in the countryside
In rural areas and at sacred sites, dress modestly and avoid overly short clothing.
National Voodoo Day, Jan 10
A national voodoo celebration in Benin and Togo, a big festival with colorful rituals and processions.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Guesthouse / hostel $11–26
Togo is cheap — eat at local restaurants, get around by zemidjan, and stay in local guesthouses.
Comfortable
🛏️ 3★ hotel $34–80
Stay at a city-center hotel, tour the voodoo market, and rent a car to Kpalimé.
Premium
🛏️ Good-quality hotel $100+
A hotel with a pool, a private guide, and domestic flights.
🗓️ When to visit Togo
Dry season
Nov – FebDry, pleasant weather, good for travel everywhere; waterfalls run low but trails are easy — the best time.
Early rainy season
Apr – MayLush green nature and beautiful waterfalls, but some roads start to get slippery in the humidity.
Voodoo festival
JanOn January 10, the national voodoo festival, with rituals and colorful processions you won't see elsewhere.
Heavy rainy season
Jun – SepHeavy rain in the north and gorgeous waterfalls, but hard travel on slippery roads — not for first-timers.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Togo — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9💑 Great for your trip
★ 9💑 Great for your trip
★ 8.7💼 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Togo?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Togo
How many days should I spend in Togo?+
5–7 days — 2 days in Lomé (voodoo market, the lake, beaches) + 2 days in Kpalimé (waterfalls, hiking) + 1–2 days in the north at Koutammakou.
Do Thai passport holders need a visa?+
Apply for a visa / e-visa in advance, plus a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Always check the latest rules before you travel.
Is Togo safe?+
Generally safe in the main tourist areas; watch your bag in crowded markets, and check the latest travel advisories before you go.
What is Togo's currency?+
The CFA Franc (XOF), shared with seven other West African countries — exchange money at the airport or a bank in Lomé.
Tips before you go to Togo
- Carry a yellow fever certificate (required) and malaria prophylaxis.
- Always agree on the fare for zemidjans and taxis before boarding — there are no meters.
- Ask permission before photographing at the voodoo market and rituals.
- Learn a few basic French greetings — locals are very pleased by it.
- Drink bottled water — don't drink from the tap.
- Most good-quality hotels are in Lomé; lodging in other towns is simple.