A bustling city, exciting surf & tons to do
Duration: at least one week
Budget: $ 50 per day
Stay: Appartement avec jardin au coeur des mamelles
Dakar is a bustling, exciting metropolis that will make you want to explore Senegal. The capital of this African country has over one million inhabitants, and it’s only growing as more people move into Dakar from all around the region in search of opportunities. Dakar’s bustling vibes are displayed at every turn. Food vendors selling fried doughnuts covered with honey-waxed peanut butter are served during breakfast until late-night DJ sessions start soon after sunset!
Sand colors dominate the bustling metropolis. At the same time, it has bright hues and decorations throughout its landscape–whether in lavish buses or carefully tailored clothes worn on people’s bodies (or even artwork). The city seems like an exploration of color: every splash looks like someone went out just for this purpose!
- Activities 100%
- Authentic City Life 75%
- Culture 80%
- Adventure 75%
For me, Dakar was love at second sight. Dakar is the capital of contradictions. Traditional and modern, modest yet elegant. But also loud, dusty, and partly incredibly dirty. Dakar itself seems to be still under construction or already falling apart. One wonders why the city is so neglected. But Dakar became a place of longing, and if you give the metropolis a little time and look behind the facades, you will quickly realize what makes the city so unique.
If you ever feel like taking a break: Dakar’s three sides are lined with beaches that invite surfers to ride the waves of the Atlantic.
Feel the beat
What better way to spend your time in Dakar than with music and dancing all night? The people of Senegal are deeply religious, but they also love having fun. A lot is going on that will make you want to move along the streets. Music plays an important role, especially in Senegalese hip hop, attracting more attention from around Africa over recent years.
Dakar Plateau - Our favorite place
Take your time and spend some time at the Pleateau de Dakar. During the day you can explore the historic city center with the government district and the port area. As you leave the bustling neighborhood for the Atlantic, you’ll find jetties jutting far out into the Atlantic, inviting fishers to fish. You will discover a vast, sandy, rocky coast on the other side of the neighborhood. You can end the day on the rocky shore with one of the most beautiful sunsets in Dakar. Surrounded by happy people, the mighty ocean, and a feeling of freedom.
Île de Gorée - UNSECO woord heritage site
The small island of Gorée, located just off the coast of Dakar, has a captivating and sad history. Thousands upon thousands of enslaved people were held here before being shipped to North America. You can still see pieces left behind, such as a slave house built around 1778 with its brick walls intact today; it’s now run by an association that offers tours in French & English so you may learn more about these events that happened on what was once “Les quatre verges” (the four margins).
Today Île de Gorée is a quiet island where you can find peace at the doorsteps of Senegal’s capital. The island is car-free and very quiet. Unfortunately, sometimes too many tourists come to the island at once, so you should respect the privacy of the locals and not take pictures of the people.
Lauri took surf lessons at the Ngor Island Surfcamp. While searching for the best waves of the day by minibus or boat, we enjoyed getting to know the island.
Visit Dakar's Grand Mosque
Dakar’s Grand Mosque is one of Senegal’s most important religious sites. The mosque was built in 1964 and can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers. It is an active site of worship and also a place of study for students of Islam.
The Senegalese people are known for their open and welcoming culture. They enjoy sharing traditions, especially those related to faith-based beliefs!
Therefore also, Non-Muslims are welcome to visit the mosque, but there are a few things to keep in mind:
Dress conservatively (cover your shoulders and knees).
Remove your shoes before entering.
Be respectful of those who are praying.
You can take pictures inside, but make sure not to use a flash.
One of the best times to visit the mosque is during Friday prayers when the courtyard is full of people worshipping together.
Pay a visit to the Dakar's colorful HLM quarter
Dakar’s HLM quarter is another cool place to visit. Here you’ll find the Presidential Palace and many other essential government buildings. The area is heavily guarded, so take your passport and dress conservatively.
The HLM Quarter is also home to Dakar’s best hotels, restaurants, and nightlife. HLM Quarter is the place to stay if you want a luxurious experience. However, if you’re on a budget, there are plenty of cheaper options in the city center.
The HLM quarter is also home to the Fabric Market, one of the best places to find fabric in Dakar. The market is full of vibrant colors and patterns; you can find everything from traditional wax print fabrics to modern prints. Bargaining skills are key here!
Get a custom dress done
If you’re unsure what to do with all the fabric you’ve bought, consider having a custom piece made by a local tailor. It is a great way to support local businesses and get something unique you’ll cherish for years to come.
By the way: Dakar prides itself on being an African fashion hub. I admired their love for fashion and print showcased in their daily wardrobe. The women and men of Senegal are always dressed to impress. Their brightly patterned wax prints perfectly represent this continent-leading style that has come so far from its even pre-colonial roots. These folkloric garments date back centuries before colonization; they were initially brought over directly after dorsals. Then, Dutch companies started making items out of colorful fabric, which became wildly popularized because people could easily recognize each symbol.
Rather than being a design feature, the colors and patterns used served an essential purpose, indicating marital status and denoting ethnic identity.
Wax prints are gorgeous and have a deep meaning and history behind them. If you’re interested in learning more about the fabric. In that case, I recommend checking out the website of The University of Ghana’s Department of Textiles, where you can find a wealth of information on wax prints and their significance in West African culture.
Monument de Rennaissance africaine
The Monument de Rennaissance Africaine, or African Renaissance Monument, is a bronze statue on top of one of the hills in Dakar. The monument is 49 meters tall and overlooks the city.
The statue was built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Senegal’s independence from France. It is the tallest statue in Africa and one of the tallest statues in the world.
The monument has three levels:
- A base
- A middle level with an observation deck
- A top-level with a restaurant and bar
The Observation Deck offers views of Dakar and the Atlantic Ocean.
If you’re interested in learning more about Senegal’s history and culture, I recommend visiting the Museum of African Art, located in the same complex as the monument. The museum has a traditional and contemporary African art collection, library, and research center.
Plenty of shops also sell locally made goods at the monument complex. You can find anything from wood carvings to jewelry to wax print fabrics.
When planning your trip to Dakar, remember that it’s a large city with plenty to see and do. However, if you’re pressed for time, I recommend focusing on three main areas: the HLM Market, the Monument de Rennaissance Africaine, and the Museum of African Art.
Each of these places offers a unique glimpse into Senegal’s history and culture, and you’re sure to come away with some fantastic souvenirs
Go surfing
Dakar is a city that not only offers you the option to relax on its beautiful beaches but also has some great waves.
Dakar's not so "secret beach"
The “Secret Point” is not a secret anymore. The beginner-friendly beach enjoys high popularity and might have become one of Dakar’s most famous surf spots! It’s deep enough that intermediates can enjoy it, but stony beach floors mean those who want a true challenge will have to head elsewhere for their fix of waves crashing over rocks in an ocean filled with sea urchins!
Yoff district beaches
I recommend checking out Yoff District’s north coast – plenty of surf schools offer courses. The beach is also an excellent place to relax with a cool drink.
Psst: If your body is aching from too much surfing, you can rent a SUP here!
Get ready to travel Senegal
Best time to travel to Senegal:
The country has two seasons, the rainy and dry seasons. The best time to travel to Senegal is during the dry season, which runs from October to April. This is when temperatures are more relaxed, and there is less rainfall. The harmattan winds, which blow in from the Sahara Desert, also start to blow around this time. These winds can make conditions hot, dry, and dusty. However, they typically taper off by April when temperatures begin to climb again.
The renowned Saint Louis Jazz Festival is taking place in May.
How to get to Dakar from the Gambia
Do as the locals do
From Banjul, take the ferry for 25 Dalasi to Barra. Once in Barra, take a shared cab for another 30 minutes to the border in Amdallai, where the Gambian immigration office is located. You can walk about 1 km to the Senegalese immigration office in Karang or take a motorcycle cab to the border.
Although the hustle and bustle when the ferry arrives might suggest otherwise, the border crossing is swift and uncomplicated. Once you get your stamp in Karang, you can start looking for the gare routière, where so-called sept-places (cars converted to seven-seaters) wait until they are full to take off for Dakar. The approximately 6-hour drive cost 6000 CFA + another 2000 CFA for my backpack.
How to get from Dakar’s airport to the city center
The ride from the airport to downtown by cab costs around 20,000 CFA depending on how well you can negotiate.
Dakar’s express buses: From the airport to Yoff
The most comfortable way to get to Yoff. You can also get back to the airport from the bus station. The ride costs 6,000 CFA and takes around 45min.
Teranga philosophy
The people of Senegal are known for their hospitality, which they call “teranga” in Wolof. It means ‘hospitality’ or Generousness’, and it’s a core principle of life there! So if you’re ever lucky enough to visit this beautiful African country, then be sure not to miss out on experiencing the culture by enjoying some delicious food with friendly locals who will show nothing but kindness!
Cannabis as part of the culture
Although it is illegal, cannabis is widely used in Senegal, as in many countries. Smoking together is part of the culture of some Senegalese. It seemed pretty normal to share and consume the herb, even in clubs. We wondered if that’s the reason some clubs don’t have a roof, and the sky shines right over you. It didn’t bother us. There was a relaxed and amiable atmosphere.
Safety in Dakar - female solo travel experience
Muslim, African, chaotic. Nevertheless, Dakar is the perfect African city to travel alone as a woman. You will quickly realize that you can easily get around like a woman on your own. Although I stayed in HLM5, a neighborhood where tourists are generally far away, we didn’t feel like strangers. I belonged just because I was there. It was an indescribably lovely feeling to be welcomed like that. Even in the dark, you could move through the streets without worries if it gets too late, better in the company of locals.
Dakar - Senegal's capital
Dakar is the capital and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city in the Old World and on the African mainland. Dakar is a major administrative center, home to numerous national government offices and departments, and the official residence of the President of Senegal. The city of Dakar has an estimated population of over two million people, while its metropolitan area contains close to five million inhabitants. Dakar is named after the Cape Verdean island of Gorée, once a major slave-trading center. The island was known as “Ceuta” (pronounced Say-oota) by early Portuguese explorers before the Lebou people gave it its current name.
Dakar’s arrondissement
Dakar’s urban areas could not be more different.
The bustling Plateau Dakar invites hikes along the rocky coast after shopping. In the hip arrondissement of Almadies, cultures mix, and many French expatriates and Senegalese meet in restaurants, bars, and clubs. Especially along the Plage de Mamelles, there is often something going on. In the arrondissement of Almadies, you will also find the districts of Yoff and Ngor, from where you can also cross over to the surfer island Ile de Ngor.
If, on the other hand, you want to immerse yourself in genuine Senegalese culture, a trip to Grand Dakar is worthwhile. The district awaits you with traditional markets and the largest mosque in West Africa, and in the evening, you can party to casual reggae music and typical Senegalese beats.
Tap water
The water is not potable, so bring your Lifestraw Pro.
Challenges for the conscious traveler
Sunscreen: Protect marine life by wearing reef-friendly sunscreen.
Trash: Bring your Lifestraw Pro to keep your water cold, and avoid buying bottled water. A foldable food container and cutlery will go a long way, too!
Photography: People around Lac Rose and Île de Gorée are susceptible to photography, so be extra sensitive.
Packing List Senegal
Not sure what to pack for your trip to Senegal? Check out our packing list for everything you need, from clothes to gear to eco-friendly toiletries.
Enjoy your trip without worrying about what you forgot to bring, and Immerse yourself in the culture of Senegal with all the right gear.
Traveling Senegal?
Senegal ItineraryPlaces to visit in Africa
Day trips from Dakar
Situated on the Atlantic coast, Senegal has beautiful beaches, lagoons, and island archipelagos. Inland, there are forests, savannas, and mountains. When visiting Dakar, there are plenty of things to do and see.
Casamance | Lush Mangroves, Diola people & traditional villages
From sandy beaches to forest-covered islands, there is so much to see and do. Immerse yourself in the beat of traditional villages and soak up the culture of the fiercely independent Diola people, who have made this region their proud homeland.
Gambia’s South | Gambia’s best beaches
Gambia’s only 42-km long coastline offers the perfect beach spot for everyone. If you are looking for a party, Kololi is the place to be, but if you seek more tranquility and serenity, check out Gambia’s South.