Abidjan

Abidjan sprawls along the Ébrié Lagoon, connected by bridges between its different peninsulas. The Plateau district has the high-rises and business towers, while Treichville and Adjamé are louder, messier, and more interesting for markets and street food. The city got the nickname "Paris of Africa" decades ago for its French colonial architecture, though that label feels dated now — Abidjan has its own energy. The Banco National Park, a patch of dense rainforest inside the city limits, is surprisingly wild for somewhere this urban. Taxis are cheap but negotiate the fare in advance. The local attiéké (cassava couscous) with grilled fish is everywhere and worth trying. French is the language you'll need here. The lagoon views from the Plateau are at their best in the late afternoon light.