A regular ferry service runs from the Port of Dakar to Île de Gorée; the crossing takes fifteen minutes. The entire island of Île de Gorée is pedestrianised, with no car traffic. Check the ferry schedule before your trip.

Gorée: Island History and Museum

Île de Gorée covers 28 hectares and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a symbol of the slave trade and a pilgrimage destination for the African diaspora. The historic Gorée Museum is housed in Fort d’Estrées. A visit to the island thus offers several perspectives on its cultural heritage; the pedestrian zone also makes the absence of car traffic a clear feature of getting around locally.

Museums, Art and History in Dakar

The state-run Musée des Civilisations Noires in Dakar opened on 6 December 2018. Its concept dates back to Léopold Sédar Senghor, following the first World Festival of Black Arts in 1966. Located in central Dakar, the Musée Théodore Monod d’art africain de l’IFAN opens onto Place Soweto. It is dedicated to preserving cultural heritage and serves as a venue for sharing artistic forms of expression.

The history of the Palais de la République is also part of the cityscape: the building in the Plateau district was constructed in 1902 as the official residence of the Governor-General of French West Africa. Dakar also hosts the Biennale of Contemporary African Art. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, check the dates of the relevant edition.

There are several ways to explore crafts and exhibitions. The Village artisanal de Soumbédioune is in the Médina district and showcases Senegalese handicrafts. The craft village of Soumbédioune was established in 1961 on the occasion of the World Festival of Black Arts and developed into a major tourist destination. Soumbédioune is also a traditional fishing site on Dakar’s West Corniche. At the Village des Arts, the offerings include the Galerie Leopold Sedar Senghor, whose exhibitions are renewed monthly. As the exhibition programme may change, check it for your specific travel dates.

The mausoleum of Seydina Limamou Laye (1843–1909), founder of the Layène brotherhood, offers another cultural perspective. It is one of Senegal’s most important Muslim pilgrimage sites. Sampling seafood is also part of what Dakar offers visitors.

Les Mamelles, the Coast and Nature

The Phare des Mamelles is Dakar’s oldest lighthouse, built in 1864. It stands at the volcanic geological site of Les Mamelles and offers panoramic views of the entire Cap-Vert Peninsula from a hilltop. The Monument de la Renaissance Africaine also stands on Les Mamelles hill. It is 52 metres tall and is considered the tallest statue in Africa.

Dakar’s coastline is lined with protected beaches and long stretches of sand overlooking the ocean waves. A destination for birdwatchers, the Parc National des îles de la Madeleine also has a protected ecosystem. The archipelago off Dakar also offers a natural rock-pool bathing spot among cliffs and small fish. If you plan to swim there, check local access conditions. Parc d’Hann is a small woodland and zoological park featuring plant species from Senegal.

The natural landscape around Dakar also includes Lac Retba, known as Lac Rose. The lagoon is surrounded by dunes and filao trees. Its pink appearance is attributed to microscopic algae that oxidise the iron in the salt water when exposed to sunlight. Excursions by off-road vehicle, motorbike and quad bike are offered in the area; ask locally about providers and conditions.

For swimming and nature outings, take local conditions into account. This will help you choose what you want to make the most of your stay in Dakar.

Discover more destinations: Grand-Yoff

For the main travel overview: Dakar.