Dakar
Save30 hand-picked places in 10 lists. Tick the categories you want to see on the map.
Only have a day? See 3 ready-made day plans ↓Show on the map
Tips
4 places on the map
Markets
- 1
Dakar's big downtown market for fabrics, spices and crafts.
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Watch your pockets
- Bargain firmly but kindly
📷 Photos
- 2
Seaside craft market and fishing beach with colourful pirogues.
- Tip: Late afternoon
2 tips
- Buy fresh fish and have it grilled
- Bargain for crafts
📷 Photos
- 3
Historic covered market in the Plateau for food and crafts.
📷 Photos
- 4
Take this map with you
Opens Google Maps with these places, ready to save to your own list.
Before you go: Dakar tips
Transportation
- Take the TER train: The Train Express Régional links central Dakar with suburbs and toward the new airport area.
- Use the BRT: Dakar's bus rapid transit line offers a faster ride across the city than regular buses.
- Use ride-hailing apps: Apps like Yango and Heetch help avoid fare haggling with yellow taxis.
Security
- Agree on taxi fares: Taxis are unmetered, so negotiate the price before you get in.
- Beware friendly hustlers: Some people approach tourists with stories or offers; politely decline and keep moving.
- Watch belongings in markets: Crowded markets like Sandaga and HLM attract pickpockets.
Saving
- Eat at local spots: Try thieboudienne at small restaurants for a filling meal at a fraction of tourist prices.
- Use local transport: Shared minibuses and buses are very cheap, though they can be crowded.
- Visit free beaches: Beaches like Ngor and Yoff are free for swimming and people watching.
Weather/Clothing
- Pack for heat: Dakar is warm all year, but the coast keeps it milder than inland Senegal.
- Plan for the rainy season: Rains usually fall from about July to October, bringing humidity and storms.
- Bring a light layer: In the dry season evenings can feel cool with sea breezes, so pack a light jacket.
Cultural
- Learn greetings: Greetings are important; take time to say salaam aleekum and ask how people are.
- Dress modestly: Senegal is mostly Muslim, so cover shoulders and knees, especially away from beaches.
- Enjoy attaya tea: Sharing sweet green tea in three rounds is a social ritual; accepting is polite.
Local Hacks
- Visit Gorée Island: Take the ferry to this historic island and its House of Slaves memorial.
- Catch live music: Dakar has a vibrant mbalax and music scene with live performances on weekends.
- Go to Lac Rose: The pink lake outside Dakar is a popular day trip; its colour is strongest in the dry season.
1-day itineraries in Dakar
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.
Day 1 of 3
Marché Sandaga and around
🕘 9:30–17:15📍 5 stops
- 1Marché Sandaga
- 2Cathédrale du Souvenir africain
- 3Grande Mosquée de Dakar
- 4Musée des Civilisations noires
- 5Marché Soumbédioune
Day 2 of 3
Île de Gorée and around
🕘 9:30–13:30📍 3 stops
- 1Île de Gorée
- 2Maison des Esclaves
- 3Musée historique de Gorée
Day 3 of 3
Monument de la Renaissance africaine and around
🕘 9:30–11:45📍 3 stops
- 1Mosquée de la Divinité
- 2Monument de la Renaissance africaine
- 3Phare des Mamelles