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Capital city of Kano State, Nigeria
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Jriddell at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kano is the capital of Kano State. It has a population of around 3.6 million (2016 estimate), giving it a busy atmosphere. It is an ancient trading city inhabited for well over a thousand years. Despite the international airport, there is little tourist trade, but there are still surprisingly many attractions to visit and, as with the rest of Nigeria, the joy is in the people and the buzz of the streets.
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Kasuwar Kurmi
The oldest market in the city of kano. Textiles from around the world are on sale here.
Located in a 15th-century historical building, this museum has a significant collections of arts, crafts and items of historic interest related to the Kano area. Galleries include the Zaure in the main entrance with displays of traditional materials, city walls and maps of Kano, the history of statehood, Kano in the 19th century, the Civil War, economy, industry and music.
Gidan dan Hausa
Has a collection of artifacts from stone age to present day within the colonial house of the governor from the 1900s. A friendly tour guide will explain all the objects for you.
The home of Nigerian Premier League champions Kano Pillars FC.
In the centre of the city and on Fridays over 50,000 people will worship there.
Zoological Garden
Large zoo with mainly indigenous animals. The zoo reached international headlines in 2019 when a lion escaped, evaded 2 tranquiliser darts, and remained missing for over 24 hours.
Prominent hill with a significant contribution to the history of the city, it was home to prominent residents in antiquity and important for iron working. Some of the hill has been excavated and used as an underground water storage tank.
Constructed in the 18th century and is popular as a tourist centre because of its unique architectural structures. The palace was buildings that reflect the early 19th century northern Nigerian traditional architectural designs. The palace has a reception area, clinic, mosque, an old council chamber (tsohuwar majalisa), and a children’s playground.
Ancient defensive fortifications with a radius of 14 km, most of which constructed in mud and sand, with numerous entrance gates. The expanding population of Kano has led to sections of the wall being demolished to make space for residential developments. The walls have been declared a National Monument in Nigeria and their submission as a is pending, in an effort to preserve them. Some of the entrance gates have been restored and repainted.
A historical place that wipes up nostalgia.Location of one of the original Kano City gates.
It is a nice, secure and organised place for events, meetings and conference.
A mosque with an open-space health facility in Albasu town.
A great place to hangout with the family.
A nice place where you can spend time alone or with your loved ones. Their food is amazing and they serve the best Chapman in the whole of Kano. Service options: delivery, dine-in and takeaway.
Surprisingly good Chinese food. Not too expensive and serves beer. No pork, so only try the dumplings if you like the idea of beef in your dumplings. Dine-in. Takeaway. Delivery.
Lebanese fare (hummus, kebabs, falafel, etc). Serves beer. Members only, but visitors can pay ₦200 to get in, negotiate if you are just visiting town. Dinner outside settings on Friday evenings only.
Dine-in. Takeaway. No contact delivery.
Dine-in.Takeaway.Delivery.
Dine-in.Takeaway.Delivery.
Dine-in.Takeaway.Delivery.
Dine-in.Takeaway.Delivery.
Dine-in.Takeaway.Delivery.
Dine-in.Takeaway.Delivery.
Dine-in.Takeaway.Delivery.
Dine-in.Takeaway.Delivery.
Dine-in. Takeaway.
Dine-in. Takeaway.
Chicken Paradise Restaurant is a fast food restaurant serving a wide variety of menus such as fried rice with chicken, jollof rice, meat pie, pizza and noodles.
Daily Fresh Restaurant serves fresh, delicious mouthwatering Nigerian dishes such as rice with tomatoes stew and banga stew, swallow with any soup of your choice, meat and drinks.
A restaurant that serves freshly prepared continental dishes and other varieties.
New Orleans foods, continental cuisines and Nigerian dishes.
Oriental Kitchen is a restaurant in the municipality area of Kano that serves everything pepper soup, rice, agidi, swallow with nsala soup or any soup of your choice, meat of all kinds and chilled drinks.
A nice relaxation place to be. To wine and dine with friends and family. A sport center for young and old people.Their service options includes, delivery, dine-in and takeaway.
Another Kano bar that offers great customer service. You can buy both in wholesale and retail.
Eddie King Burger is a bar with takeaway service.
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Each room has an air conditioner, a study desk, wireless internet, flat screen TV, and a refrigerator. Also available at the hotel are a business center and a bar. Guests can choose to buy dishes or eat at the restaurant. Services available include room service and laundry services. In addition, guests can also enjoy luggage storage on request.
Prince Hotel is a well-run hotel in a quiet district and is a favourite with expatriates and NGOs. Security is good, and you will find all categories of well kept rooms, chalets and suites, though the Standard rooms are fairly small. All rooms are fully appointed with air conditioner, fridge, satellite television, and en-suite bathroom. Wi-Fi internet is available for about US$3 for 24 hours. One of the few hotels in Kano where you can have a decent meal and a drink at their Calypso Restaurant which offers excellent continental and Lebanese cuisine. Laundry and room service is also available. No gym as yet but there is a nice pool for lodging guests only.
Tahir Guest Palace is a sprawling complex of buildings containing probably the largest number of rooms in Kano. Security is OK. Rooms are all very large, a/c, fridge, easy chairs, large double beds, fridge. The best gym in Northern Nigeria for about US$7 per session. Restaurant with buffet service at night, OK but not outstanding. Room service, laundry service and bakery across the road. Small shop and travel agent in the hotel. No alcohol. Good breakfast. Internet free of charge.
Tropicana is a large hotel similar to the Tahir. The standard rooms are cozy but well kept with a/c, tv, fridge, etc. Internet is excellent and free.
Large shopping mall selling pretty much anything from food to dyes and perfumes.
In-store shopping. In-store pick up. Delivery.
In-store shopping. Delivery.
In-store shopping. Delivery.
In-store shopping. Delivery.
In-store shopping. In-store pick up. Delivery.
In-store shopping. In-store pick up. Delivery.
In-store shopping. Delivery.
In-store shopping.
In-store shopping.
A traditional market that has roots to the trans-Sahelian trade in the 15th century. Perfumes, incense as well as Hausa clothing and handicrafts are all available.
By plane
By train
Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) operates long distance express passenger train services from Port Harcourt to Kano and Lagos via Ibadan and Kaduna to Kano every Thursday and Friday (as of 2021).
By car
By bus
By boat
Yellow- and blue-coloured taxis can be hired on the roadside, ensure you agree a price before leaving. More common are the motorbikes where travellers sit behind the driver.
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Kano · International · KAN
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Articles and travel topics about Kano and Nigeria.
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