Dakar

The capital at the westernmost tip of mainland Africa, with the House of Slaves on Gorée Island, the African Renaissance Monument and the Pink Lake, plus energetic surfing and mbalax music.

Dakar, the capital of Senegal, sits on the Cap-Vert Peninsula jutting into the Atlantic. It is the westernmost city on mainland Africa, with a metropolitan population of about 4 million. The city is divided into several areas: the Plateau at the southern tip is the colonial-era old town, home to Independence Square, the Presidential Palace, the cathedral and markets; along the western Corniche lie the Soumbédioune fishing harbor and the Gate of the Third Millennium; in the northwest, Ouakam, the Mamelles, Pointe des Almadies and N’Gor are the area for the monument, the lighthouse, beaches and surfing; and 3 km offshore lies the World Heritage Gorée Island. Climate: Nov–May is the dry season, sunny with little rain and cool sea breezes—the best time to visit; Jul–Oct is the hot, humid rainy season with occasional downpours. Classic itinerary: half a day on Gorée Island, half a day walking downtown, sunset at the Mamelles and Pointe des Almadies, a day trip northeast to the Pink Lake and the fishing port of Kayar, and a day southeast at the Bandia Reserve; allow 3–5 days. Getting there: international flights arrive at Blaise Diagne International Airport (about 45 km from the city), from where you can take the TER express train or a taxi into town; in the city, agree on taxi fares in advance, or use a ride-hailing app. Note: Chinese citizens must obtain a visa in advance—check the embassy’s latest rules; a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required; watch for pickpockets at markets and beaches, and turn down unsolicited “guides”; dress modestly at religious sites.

Top sights

• Gorée Island – A car-free island just off the port of Dakar. It is a witness to the Atlantic slave trade and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• House of Slaves – A memorial to the slave trade on Gorée Island. The 'Door of No Return' faces the sea and is the most moving spot on the island.
• African Renaissance Monument – A 49-metre bronze monument standing on Les Mamelles hill, one of the tallest statues in Africa. From the top you can overlook Dakar.
• Lake Retba (Lac Rose) – A pink salt lake about 35 km northeast of Dakar. Algae turn the water rose-pink, and workers harvesting salt by hand make for a unique scen…
• Museum of Black Civilizations – A pan-African cultural museum that opened in 2018. Its circular building showcases the history and art of Africa and the African diaspora.
• Le Castel, Gorée – The basalt heights at the southern tip of Gorée Island, where World War II-era big guns and bunkers still stand, offering views over the is…
• Grand Théâtre National – A modern grand theatre beside the Museum of Black Civilisations, seating about 1,800, hosting concerts, dance and mbalax performances.
• Pointe des Almadies – The westernmost point of the African continent, where a black volcanic rock coastline is lined with seafood eateries and views of the Atlan…
• Sandaga Market – Dakar's largest traditional market in the city centre, where fabrics, electronics, handicrafts and snacks fill the surrounding streets and…
• Théodore Monod Museum of African Art – One of West Africa's oldest museums, with a large collection of masks, sculptures, musical instruments and traditional dress.
• Grand Mosque of Dakar – The main mosque of Dakar, completed in 1964, whose minaret, about 67 metres tall, is a prominent landmark in the city.
• Mosque of the Divinity – A white mosque at the foot of seaside cliffs in Ouakam, with twin minarets against the Atlantic, one of Dakar's most photogenic buildings.
• Dakar Cathedral – The Catholic cathedral of Dakar, completed in 1936, blending Neo-Byzantine and Sudano-Sahelian architectural elements.
• Presidential Palace, Dakar – The former Governor-General's palace of French West Africa, where its white colonial building and red-caped guards make a classic photo spo…
• Place de l'Indépendance – The heart of Dakar's city centre, surrounded by colonial-era buildings, banks and government institutions.
• Ngor Island – A small island off the north side of Pointe des Almadies, reached by painted dugout canoe in a few minutes, with quiet beaches and a famous…
• Mamelles Lighthouse – A lighthouse built in 1864 on the summit of Mamelles hill, offering a superb viewpoint over the Dakar peninsula and the Atlantic.
• Soumbédioune Artisan Village & Fish Market – A craft village and fishing harbour by the West Coast road, where you can buy wood carvings and leather goods and watch fishing boats come…
• Kermel Market – A round colonial market with an iron frame, built in 1910, selling seafood, fruit, vegetables, flowers and handicrafts.
• Village des Arts de Dakar – An artists' community near the Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium, where dozens of studios open to visitors who can talk with painters and sculp…
• Îles de la Madeleine National Park – A small group of volcanic islands off Dakar, one of the smallest national parks in the world, known for its seabirds and dwarf baobabs.
• Bandia Reserve – A private reserve about 65 km southeast of Dakar, where you can see giraffes, rhinos and zebras up close from a safari vehicle.
• Keur Moussa Abbey – A Benedictine abbey known for its African-style masses accompanied by kora, where you can buy the monks' homemade jam and instruments.
• Yoff & Layène Mausoleum – A traditional fishing village beside the airport and holy site of the Layene Sufi brotherhood, with a white-and-green mausoleum by the sea…
• Kayar – One of Senegal's largest traditional fishing harbours, where hundreds of colourful dugout canoes ride the surf back to shore each afternoon…
• Toubab Dialaw – An artistic seaside village about 50 km southeast of Dakar, with red clay cliffs, a beach and an art hotel, ideal for a relaxing weekend es…
• Porte du Troisième Millénaire – A commemorative gate on the West Coast road built to mark the new millennium, with a seaside promenade where people walk and jog.
• Marché HLM – Dakar's best-known fabric market, with rows of stalls selling batik prints and Senegalese bazin.

Where to eat

• Chez Loutcha – A long-running Cape Verdean family restaurant in Plateau, famous for its generous portions of Senegalese fish and rice…
• La Cabane du Pêcheur – A seafood restaurant on N'Gor Beach where you can select live lobsters with views of N'Gor Island, highly rated in Daka…
• Le Lagon 1 – A stilt restaurant over the water founded in 1956, offering pier dining on Route de la Corniche Est with views of Gorée…
• La Terrasse - Farid – A long-established Lebanese restaurant in Plateau operating for over sixty years, highly rated for its hot and cold mez…
• Sunu Makane Chez Seck – A seaside eatery on the main beach of N'Gor Island, specializing in fresh grilled fish and reachable by a 10-minute boa…
• Noflaye Beach – A wooden oceanfront restaurant on the Almadies coast, famous for its crêpes and seafood skewers, offering a budget-frie…

Itineraries

• Northern Senegal & Saloum Delta Loop – A classic loop for first-timers, heading north from Dakar to the desert and Saint-Louis, then south to Fadiouth Shell I…
• Senegambia & Upper Gambia River Loop – A two-country loop heading south from Dakar through The Gambia, visiting Kunta Kinteh Island and the upper river before…
• West Africa Six-Country Overland – An epic overland journey heading south from Dakar through six countries to Monrovia, including the Bijagós Archipelago.