Ivory Coast

The Ivory Coast, more often known as the Côte d’Ivoire thanks to its French colonial legacy, is a vibrant West African country on the Atlantic coastline. It’s home to serene beach resorts, striking contemporary architecture, and lush green swathes of rainforest.

The country’s economic powerhouse is Abidjan, a modern city where skyscrapers lie next to traditional markets. Its sprawling urban development is set between still lagoons and sapphire ocean. Head to Galerie Cécile Fakhoury for an exceptional collection of contemporary African art, or to landmark modernist building La Pyramide for worn-down, photogenic outlooks. Modern Cathedrale St Paul is also worth a visit for its rich stained glass. Traditional crafts and artworks are housed at the fascinating Musée National. Head to Yamoussoukro to see the imposing Presidential Palace (from a distance), and the sacred crocodiles which live in its lake. To see incredible biodiversity, explore the thick, lush rainforests of Parc National de Taï. The arty former French capital of Bassam is a hotspot for resorts, beaches, and chilled-out, faded old-world glamour. It’s a Unesco World Heritage site. For white-sand beaches and surfing, head to Assinie, and to Man for lively market streets and mountainous green peaks full of stunning hiking trails.