Things to do in Niamey

Things to do in Niamey

1. Do

   The Hippodrome

   Go out for an afternoon at the races at the hippodrome. A race is held Saturday afternoons around 17:00 or so, and it's free to get in. Go for the ambience, the pageantry, and if you like, make a bet.

2. Do Not mapped

   Stade de la Lutte Traditionelle

   Traditional Wrestling

   You need a fair bit of luck to run into these traditional wrestling matches, as they are only held a few times every year, and can by law only be organized when crops are good. When they do, it's by far the most popular sport, and with a 2,000-year-history also the oldest. In the main national tournament each of Niger's eight regions sends 10 leather loincloth clad fighters to face of the 20 diameter ring. The first to fall, or even touch a knee to the ground, loses the match. Most matches are about 12 minutes long though they can last just a few seconds. Even if you are not into sports the cultural aspects; like opening prayer, praise poems, salutations, gift giving, traditional charms and the enthronement of the champion should keep you well occupied.

3. Do Not mapped

   Swimming Pools

   Most of Niamey's hotels with swimming pools allow non-guests to use the pool for a small fee (often a couple thousand francs). The best are at Hotel Gaweye & Grand Hotel, whose pools have a scenic view over the River Niger. There are public swimming pools beside Hotel la Fluviale (CFA 1,000) & beside Hotel Sahel (the "Picine Olympique", CFA 1,000). Ask to see the pool first to avoid paying for a dirty pool.

4. DoCinema

   Canal Olympia Hippodrome

   CanalOlympia Hippodrome

5. DoTheatre

   Place Amadou Boubacar (AB)

   Limited wheelchair access

6. DoArts centre

   Centre Culturel Imam Maleck

7. DoArts centre

   Centre de Metier de Cuir et d'Art du Niger

8. DoArts centre

   Centre de formation et de promotion musicale CFPM Taya

9. DoArts centre

   Centre des Jeunes Karadjé

10. DoArts centre

    Club des Artistes Jean Baco

11. DoPark

    Colonel ANOUTAB

12. DoPark

    Ct. Montel Square

13. DoCinema

    Jangorzo

14. DoTheatre

    Lieu des Activités Culturelles (EMIG)

15. DoPark

    Park d'agrément (Boloré, Blue zone)

16. DoPark

    Place de l'Union Africaine

17. DoPark

    Place de la République

18. DoTheatre

    Salle Canal

19. DoPark

    Vallée Gountouyena

20. DoArts centre

    Village d'Artisanal Wadata

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Niamey (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps.