Travel to Togo
Less than 115 km wide between Ghana and Benin, Togo runs from sandy lagoons to savannah, with mud tower-houses, vodun traditions and craft-making hill towns along the way. Here's what to know before you go.
Togo in numbers
Capital
Lomé
Population
8 to 9M
Area
~56,800 km²
Currency
CFA franc
Language
French
UNESCO sites
Koutammakou
Continent
Africa
Time zone
UTC
Airports covered
1
Why visit Togo
Living traditions, mud tower-houses and a small, walkable surprise
Koutammakou, Land of the Batammariba
Mud tower-houses, often two floors with cylindrical granaries, are the official national symbol. UNESCO designated the cultural landscape in 2004 and expanded it in 2023 across the border into Benin.
Rites you can still see
The Kabye of the north mark initiation with Evala wrestling, while the Guin celebrate the new year with the Epe-Ekpe stone ceremony at Glidji. In the south, vodun centres on the creator god Mawu.
Craft and cloth
Kpalimé is the main crafts centre, with wood sculpture, weaving, batik and ceramics. Wax-print cloth is central to dress, shaped by the women traders known as Nana Benz.
Waterfalls and hills
Around Kpalimé, falls at Tomegbe, Kpoeta, Woatti and other places drop from the plateau, among coffee and cocoa plantations and trails for birds and butterflies.
Where to go
Lomé, Kpalimé and the northern mud villages
Inbound tourism grew from 74,000 arrivals in 2008 to a peak of 876,000 in 2019, with Lomé's airport as the main point of entry. Most trips start in the capital.
Lomé
The Grand Market has a three-storey hall, with peppers, dried fish and traditional remedies; the first floor belongs to the Nana Benz. Akodessewa has a specialised fetish market. The Togo National Museum in the Palais de Congrès shows jewellery, instruments and pottery, and the city centre keeps the Palace of the Governors and the German neo-Gothic Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Kpalimé
About 120 km north of Lomé and 15 km from Ghana, Kpalimé is the base for Mount Agou, the highest peak at 986 m, and Mount Kloto, with distant views of Lake Volta on a clear day. There are 36 artisanal workshops and outlets in town.
Koutammakou
In the north-east, the Tammari people have lived on this land for centuries, and their houses are known as siken. After heavy rain in August 2018, UNESCO sent an emergency mission to assess damage, a reminder to go with a local guide and respect the villages.
Parks and reserves
At least five parks and reserves exist, among them Fazao Malfakassa, Fosse aux Lions and Kéran national parks and the Abdoulaye Faunal Reserve.
Before you go
A tropical country with a hotter, drier north
| Area | Climate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coast and Lomé | Average temperatures around 23 °C on the coast, tropical all year | Beaches and lagoons, a stable climate for city visits |
| Hills and plateau | Mount Agou rises to 986 m, with forest, plantations and waterfalls | Good for walking around Kpalimé |
| Far north | Average temperatures up to about 30 °C, savannah-like and drier | Allow for heat when visiting Koutammakou |
Entry requirements vary by nationality and change over time: check official sources and your government's travel advice before booking, especially for the north.
Planning a longer West Africa trip? See Ivory Coast and Senegal. Neighbouring Benin, Mali and Gabon are also on our African list.
Getting around
Hubs, taxis and an airline based in Lomé
Lomé is a regional aviation hub: ASKY Airlines, a private pan-African carrier, has its operational base there and serves more than 30 destinations in West, Central, East and Southern Africa. Togo has seven airports, two of them international. Inside the country, travel by road: agree taxi fares before you set off, and expect long drives to the north.
Culture
Ewe and Kabye traditions, twin figures and hand weaving
Ewe and Mina communities in the south and Kabye and Tem in the north give the country its cultural variety. Twin statuettes called venavi honour and memorialise twins, and Kloto carvers are known for "marriage chains" linking two figures with rings carved from a single block of wood.
Weaving is also prominent, for example in Bafilo, where ceremonial garments are produced. Basketball is the country's second most practised sport.
Cheap flights to Togo
The Lomé airport SniperAir tracks
Lomé Gnassingbé Eyadéma
The main international airport, 5 km northeast of the city centre. A new 21,000 m² terminal opened in 2016 and can handle up to 2 million passengers a year.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Togo
What's the best airport for arriving in Togo?
Lomé's Gnassingbé Eyadéma airport (LFW), about 5 km from the centre. The second international airport, Niamtougou, serves the north.
What's the best time to visit Togo?
The dry season is generally the most comfortable time. The north is hotter and drier than the coast, so plan visits to Koutammakou around the heat.
What is Koutammakou?
A UNESCO-listed cultural landscape in north-eastern Togo and neighbouring Benin, home to the Batammariba and their mud tower-houses.
Is Togo an expensive destination?
Everyday costs are generally modest, but long trips north and quality accommodation add up. Agree prices for taxis in advance.
Do I need a visa to travel to Togo?
It depends on your nationality and the rules change. Check official websites and your government's travel advice, including vaccination requirements, before you book.
How many days should I spend in Togo?
Five to seven days cover Lomé, Lake Togo and Kpalimé. Add a few days if you want to reach the north.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Togo drops below my budget?
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