Benin City is one of the oldest cities in Nigeria, dating back to pre-colonial times. It was the capital of one of the most advanced and organised kingdoms in Africa before the arrival of the British. The city used to be the capital of the old Bendel state until this was divided into Edo and Delta states. Benin City is the capital of Edo State, and had a population of about 1.5 million people in 2015. This article also covers Ovia North-East which houses Igbinedion University.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
The original people and founders of the Benin Empire, the Edo people, were ruled by the Ogiso (Kings of the Sky) dynasty from 40 BCE to 1100 CE, who called their land Igodomigodo. The rulers or kings were commonly known as Ogiso. Benin grew rich during the 16th and 17th centuries due to trade within southern Nigeria, as well as through trade with Europeans, mostly in pepper and ivory. In the early 16th century the Oba sent an ambassador to Lisbon, and the King of Portugal sent Christian missionaries to Benin.
Getting around in Benin isn't too difficult. The roads are fairly well constructed, and the city is well linked and networked. If you come in by air, there are taxis at the airport to take you probably anywhere you wish to go for an affordable price. And if you come in by road and are taken to the terminal of the transport service, you will also find taxis ready to take you anywhere. Taxis and buses are supposed to be painted red or rather wine on their body and yellow on the roof.
1 Benin City National Museum, King's Square, CBD. While much of the cultural heritage of Benin has been looted and now resides in British Museum, there are still several interesting artifacts displayed, reflecting the rich history and culture of the Edo people and Benin kingdom. (updated Dec 2016) 2 Royal Palace of Oba of Benin, Ogogugbo. This is the home of the Oba (King) of Benin. The original Kingdom of Benin palace was established around 1255-1280 AD by Oba Ewedo, then rebuilt in 1932. You may not be able to get inside, and you can't see much from the outside due to the exterior fence. It's possible the curators at the museum may know.
1 Okomu National Park (south of Udaken), ☏ +234 450241, tesleemadeniyi@gmail.com. This is one of the last patches of undisturbed rainforest in Nigeria, with the possibility of seeing chimps, dwarf crocodiles, warthog, monkeys, African buffalo, and even possibly elephants. Directions are somewhat unclear. It may be best to contact the Nigerian National Park Service at +234 7069666450 for more details. (updated Aug 2020) 2 Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Stadium Rd, Ogogugbo. The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Benin City that was built as known as Ogbe Stadium. It is used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Bendel Insurance FC and Edo Queens FC.
Edo people love pounded yam and orhe (ogbono) soup (draw soup). 1 Kilmanjaro, 121 Benin Sapele Road, Oka. 7:30PM - 10PM. Dine-in and takeaway. (updated Jun 2021) 2 Chicken Republic, 55 Airport Rd, Oka, ☏ +234 809 016 1485. 7:30PM - 10:30PM. Chicken Republic is a fast food restaurant that offers dine-in, takeaway and delivery service options. (updated Jun 2021) 3 Kada fried chicken, Kada plaza, Benin Sapele Road, Oka, ☏ +234 811 660 0110. 8AM - 11PM. Customers can either eat here or ask for a takeaway. (updated Jun 2021) 4 Royal China Restaurant, 72 Ihama Road, Oka, ☏ +234 906 685 0363. 10AM - 10PM. A Chinese restaurant in a serene ambience and has quite amazing scenery.
Palm wine from local palm wine tappers. Bottled palm wine does not taste as good. There are a lot of beer parlors in the Oredo area, as most occupants of the region step out to drink at any point they feel like doing so. 1 First Bar Bénin, Country Home Road, Oka, toll-free: +234 802 330 4748. 24/7. Dine-in and takeaway. (updated Jan 2023) Versus Lounge, 18 Guobadia Avenue, off 1st Ugbor Road, GRA, ☏ +234 906 344 7506. 24/7. Dine-in, curbside pickup, delivery and takeaway service options are available. (updated Jun 2021) Orhiakhi Bar and Guest House, Oko Central Road, Oka. 7:30AM-11:30PM. Dine-in and takeaway. (updated Jun 2021)
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Benin City typically sees ~27°C daytime highs and 29 rainy days.
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