Port Guide | Togo | Worth a Wander

Lome

Samantha Cruz | Editor

Published on 2025-08-12

Congratulations-you've arrived in Lome, Togo, a gloriously chaotic sliver of West Africa that's as refreshingly offbeat as your mode of travel (because honestly, what's more delightfully eccentric than cruising around the planet in your own floating condominium?). At first glance, Lome might seem an exuberant mash-up between bustling open-air markets (where else can you buy voodoo talismans next to knock-off designer jeans?) and breezy, palm-fringed beaches. This city is quirky charm personified: once the colonial playground for German expats, now ardently reclaimed as a thriving cultural crossroads full of warm smiles and louder debates-usually over football scores. Navigating Lome demands a dash of patience, respect for local sensibilities (throw an extra scarf or longer sleeves in your day bag), and a willingness to embrace the beautiful unpredictability that lies beyond the postcard cliches. So step ashore, haggle joyfully at the sprawling Grand Marche, test your courage (and negotiation skills) at the surreal Akodessawa Fetish Market, then retreat to a seaside maquis for cold Togolese lager and spicy kebabs. After all, you're not here for bland sightseeing-you're here to savor the messy, exhilarating, and beautifully human chaos of Lome.