Maritime · Togo
Where to stay in Lomé
Lomé is a city in Maritime, Togo, home to about 2,188,000 people.
- Best months
- August
- Nearest airport
- LFW6 km · Lomé–Tokoin International Airport
- Currency
- XOFWest African CFA franc
- Time zone
- Africa/Lome
- Language
- French
About
About Lomé
Lomé (UK: LOH-may, US: loh-MAY) is the capital and largest city of Togo. It has an urban population of 837,437 while there were 2,188,376 permanent residents in its metropolitan area as of the 2022 census.
Lomé was founded in the 19th century by Ewe people, and subsequently became a major port, trading and administrative center. In 1897 Lomé became capital of the German colony Togoland. It remained the capital when France took over the colony following World War I and continued to grow throughout the colonial period and since independence. In 1975 the Lomé Convention was signed between the European Economic Community and 46 African, Caribbean and Pacific states.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Lomé
See
- Independence Monument
- Sacred Heart Cathedral
- Le Palais de Lomé
- Togo National Museum
- Musée International du Golfe de Guinée
Do
- Marcelo Beach
- Royal Beach Lome
- Lac Est
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Lomé to stay in
Decent hotels (as in there is a bed, sink, and shower) are in northern Lomé and cost about CFA 15,000 - 16,000. Hotels are common the closer you get to the beach, the most expensive being the 2 Fevrier and Hotel Sarakawa, on the beach road. Amenities are very accommodating, but they are incredibly expensive for Lomé starting at CFA 100,000 per night. There are a few nice hotels with fan/air-com in Kodjoviakope and surrounding areas that will run you CFA 7,000-15,000. Check out My Diana's, and for the budget traveller, ask for Mammy's, down the road from the Angolan Embassy (CFA 3,500 per room, rooms fit 2-3).
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Lomé
11 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Hôtel École Lébénè | 1958 | 1.0 km |
| Hôtel Sarakawa | 5.3 km | |
| Onomo Hotel Lomé | 3.2 km | |
| 2 Février Radisson Blu | 1980 | 0.2 km |
| Hotel Ahoefa King Salomon Garden | 2.5 km | |
| Hotel du Golfe | 1.1 km | |
| Hotel M'Rode | 2.9 km | |
| Hotel Magnificat | 1.2 km | |
| Hôtel Sancta Maria | 2.5 km | |
| Hotel Yabisso | 1.3 km | |
| Résidence Hôtelière Océane | 0.7 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Lomé
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Lomé are August. February is the warmest month, with average highs of 33 °C; June is the wettest, with about 200 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Lomé: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Lomé–Tokoin International Airport (LFW), about 5.8 km from the city centre in a straight line; Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport (COO, 132 km) is also within reach.
Getting in
The main border crossing from Ghana is Aflao, less than 2 km from the city centre. Visa on arrival is available at both airport and land border from Ghana for CFA 10,000 - 15,000 depending on your nationality and is good for one week. It can be extended for a month for no extra charge. As of January 2019, you can get a 3-month visa at the border for Ghana for 705 Ghana sedis (US$145).
Getting around
Motos are plentiful throughout the capital, and a good distance on a moto will cost you CFA 300. Taxis can be rented from around CFA 500, with CFA 2000 getting you basically anywhere in town. There are route taxis, costing normally CFA 200-400, but if you are visiting they are difficult to figure out and only ever really used by local folks. The most in-demand app for getting around the city is Gozem. You can book rides on a motorcycle, tricycle (tuk-tuk), and a range of autos, from basic to luxurious. Prices are significantly cheaper than negotiating a price with a taxi driver on the street.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
LFW · Lomé–Tokoin International Airport
COO · Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Lomé
Eat
Local street food is plentiful, and a large plate of rice or pate costs 200CFA. Lebanese restaurants are peppered throughout Lomé, with the best being in Kodjoviakope and wrapping around with the Boulevard. Recommended are Al Mohatas by the Route de Kpalime and Al Sultan's in Kodjoviakope. Most plates cost CFA 1,000-2,000. There are two Chinese restaurants, one in Kodjoviakope, the other in Asigame, down the street from the Togocel main offices.
Drink
Lomé really comes alive at night, the local Loméians dressing to the nines and going out to the numerous bars and discothèques. There are many western style dance clubs downtown. Two of the best (and most expensive) are Privilege, attached to the hotel Palm Beach and 7Clash, in Dekon on the Boulevard. For a more relaxed time, check out the beach close to the border with Ghana - seating is plentiful and, if you're lucky, the Castle Milk Stouts are pretty cold. Be sure to get off of the beach soon after nightfall, as it is easily the most dangerous part of the city. Local drinks can be found if you dig a little deeper. The local brew of choice is Tchouk, locally brewed millet beer.
Stay safe
The beaches and surrounding areas are known for frequent muggings, especially at night. Don’t wander around on your own at night on the beach unless there are plenty of people around.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Lomé: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Lomé?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Lomé are August. February is the warmest month, with average highs of 33 °C; June is the wettest, with about 200 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Lomé?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Lomé–Tokoin International Airport (LFW), about 5.8 km from the city centre in a straight line; Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport (COO, 132 km) is also within reach.
What currency is used in Lomé?
West African CFA franc (XOF).
Nearby
Destinations near Lomé
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.