Grand-Bassam can be visited year-round. The driest and most comfortable months are November to March, when humidity is lower and the harmattan wind from the Sahara occasionally brings cooler, hazy days. The main rainy season runs from April to July, with a shorter wet spell in October and November. Heavy rain can make the beach less appealing but doesn't close the historic quarter.
The busiest times at Grand-Bassam are weekends throughout the year, when Abidjanais make the trip out to the beach. If you prefer to see the historic quarter without weekend crowds, visit on a weekday — the atmosphere is quieter, though some beach bars operate on reduced hours.
The artisan market is busiest and best stocked from October onward through the holiday season, when new stock arrives from craftspeople across the country.