🇸🇳 Senegal

10 best places in Dakar

Dakar juts into the Atlantic at Africa's westernmost point - a loud, musical capital of mbalax rhythms, Sufi devotion and the sobering history of Gorée Island just offshore.

Sight

Gorée Island

A UNESCO site off Dakar's coast where the House of Slaves memorializes the tragic history of the transatlantic slave trade.

Sight

African Renaissance Monument

A giant bronze statue on a hill above Dakar - Africa's tallest monument, with a viewing platform in the crown.

Museum

Musée des Civilisations Noires

A striking modern museum dedicated to the history and art of Black civilizations worldwide.

Museum

IFAN Museum of African Arts

West Africa's oldest art museum, with masks, sculpture and textiles from dozens of regional peoples.

Market

Marché Sandaga

A vast covered market in the heart of the city - fabric, spices, jewellery and Dakar's true pulse.

Market

Marché Kermel

An elegant colonial-era covered market with flower stalls, fresh produce and souvenirs.

Park

Corniche Ouest

A seaside promenade for jogging, surfing and sunsets over the Atlantic near Place de Soweto.

Sight

Grande Mosquée de Dakar

The city's main mosque, its tall minaret visible from afar above the rooftops of the Médina.

Restaurant

Le Ngor

A restaurant in the Ngor neighbourhood serving thiéboudienne and fresh seafood right by the ocean.

District

Médina

Dakar's oldest quarter - narrow streets, tailor workshops, mbalax music and street food late into the night.

FAQ

When is the best time to visit Dakar?

November to May is dry and relatively mild, with the ocean breeze taking the edge off the heat. The rains fall roughly from July to October, in short bursts but with high humidity. December to February is the most pleasant stretch.

Is Dakar safe?

By regional standards Dakar is fairly calm, but pickpocketing and phone snatching around Plateau and Sandaga market are common. Take taxis at night and carry only what you need. Persistent vendors and self appointed guides come with the territory, and a firm no works better than a long conversation.

How many days do you need in Dakar?

Two or three days cover the city: the museums, the Renaissance Monument, the markets and the essential trip to Goree Island. After that, Saint-Louis, Lac Rose or the coast are the natural next stops. Many travellers use Dakar as their entry point to West Africa.

Do you need a visa for Senegal?

Many passports get visa free entry for short tourist stays, but it depends on your nationality. Longer stays need a residence permit through work, study or business, and the paperwork is slow. Entry rules change, so check them before booking flights.