The golden sand
The length of the city.
Edison McCullen — CC BY 4.0 · Philip Nalangan — CC BY 4.0 · Philip Nalangan — CC BY 4.0
The Seafront Beach is a long strip of sand on the Atlantic that runs along the seafront of Togo's capital. A broad coastal road lined with palm trees separates it from the city. Residents come to walk and exercise in the morning and to sit at sunset, and it is one of the liveliest places in town. Lomé was founded by the Ewe people and grew in the 19th century through German, British and African traders, becoming the capital of Togoland in 1897. Its name means «among the alo trees» in Ewe. The Port of Lomé, the country's main port, lies at the eastern end of the beach. You see wide golden sand, strong white waves and black rock groynes reaching into the water to protect the shore. On the horizon stand the tall cranes of the port, dark shapes at sunset when the sky turns orange. The road carries palm trees, lights and benches. The Independence Monument is about 2.4 km away in a straight line. Currents here are very dangerous and swimming is unsafe, so keep to walking. Watch your belongings, and avoid empty stretches after dark.
The length of the city.
Crane silhouettes.
For walking.
Boulevard de la République, Lomé seafront, Togo
Not advised, as currents are very dangerous.
Mornings for walking, or at sunset.