Africa
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Benin
World Heritage Benin · UNESCO sites in Benin map · historical landmarks in Benin
Benin has 3 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 2 cultural and 1 natural inscriptions, inscribed between 1985 and 2004. This map of UNESCO sites in Benin covers every listing, with a short description, the inscription year and the nearest airports — the fastest way to see the country's most important historical sites and landmarks in one place.
Royal Palaces of Abomey was the country's first inscription, added in 1985; Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba is the most recent, listed in 2004; recurring threads across the list include wild places.
One inscription is transnational, shared with neighbouring countries: Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba. Start with Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba, Royal Palaces of Abomey and W-Arly-Pendjari Complex, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 3
- Cultural
- 2
- Natural
- 1
- First inscribed
- 1985
Sites on the map
Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- TMLTamale1 site
- COOCotonou1 site
- NIMNiamey1 site
Keep exploring
All 3 sites in Benin
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Benin
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koutammakou, the Land of the BatammaribaThe Koutammakou landscape in north-eastern Togo and neighbouring Benin is home to the Batammariba, whose remarkable mud… | 2004 | Cultural | The Koutammakou landscape in north-eastern Togo and neighbouring Benin is home to the Batammariba, whose remarkable mud tower-houses are known as… |
| Royal Palaces of AbomeyFrom 1625 to 1900, 12 kings succeeded one another at the head of the powerful Kingdom of Abomey. | 1985 | Cultural | From 1625 to 1900, 12 kings succeeded one another at the head of the powerful Kingdom of Abomey. |
| W-Arly-Pendjari ComplexThis transnational extension (Benin, Burkina Faso) to the W National Park of Niger, inscribed in 1996 on the W. | 1996 | Natural | This transnational extension (Benin, Burkina Faso) to the W National Park of Niger, inscribed in 1996 on the W. |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Benin
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Benin?
- Benin has 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 2 cultural and 1 natural.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Benin?
- Royal Palaces of Abomey was inscribed in 1985. From 1625 to 1900, 12 kings succeeded one another at the head of the powerful Kingdom of Abomey.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in Benin?
- Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba, inscribed in 2004. The Koutammakou landscape in north-eastern Togo and neighbouring Benin is home to the Batammariba, whose remarkable mud tower-houses are known as takienta (siki.
- Which sites in Benin are natural World Heritage Sites?
- 1 of the 3 listings is natural: W-Arly-Pendjari Complex.
- Which UNESCO sites in Benin are easiest to reach?
- Each site page lists the closest airports with distance, so you can pick the gateway city first and work outwards. The "Flying in" panel on this page shows the main gateways for Benin.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Benin?
- The 3 UNESCO-listed sites above are Benin's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Royal Palaces of Abomey (1985). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.