Dakar
Dakar

Dakar

Joie de vivre and dream beaches await in surprising Senegal

5 good reasons to go to Dakar

Sunbathing
Sunbathing
With its hundreds of kilometres of coast and beaches, Senegal is a first class sea-side destination with exceptional sunshine. Average temperatures are always over 20 degrees Celsius, but the best time to go is in the dry season, from November to March. There are plenty of sea-side resorts like Saly, Somone or Cap Skirring.
Discover African culture
Discover African culture
Dakar is a bustling city which embodies all the cultural and artistic drive of this part of the world, showcasing contemporary works as well as ancestral crafts. It is home to two major museums: the Théodore Monod Museum of African Art and the new Museum of Black Civilisations. There are artists and designers everywhere, showcasing their colourful, ethnic-patterned creations by the roadside, on stalls or at markets.
Eye-opening nature
Eye-opening nature
Senegal has six national parks and some 30 nature reserves where 169 mammal species and 540 bird species can be observed. The country has many deltas, lagoons, mangroves and isolated islands where they can flourish. Several companies organise safaris to discover the wildlife. Don't forget your binoculars.
Young, creative people
Young, creative people
Half the Senegalese population is under 20 years of age, which certainly explains why people are so energetic, fun-loving and resourceful. The country is reputed for its cheerful hospitality. The ubiquitous and contagious good humour will help you forget your daily hassles.
Cut yourself off from the world on the islands
Cut yourself off from the world on the islands
Just a pirogue trip away, escape the noise of the city on one of the delightful, authentic islands. Gorée, for instance, has no motorised vehicles and N’Gor Island is not even connected to the grid. Time to switch off for a day and enjoy the tempting bathing waters. The wild, uninhabited Madeleine Islands are now a natural, national park.

To see / do

Culture and History

Dakar-Plateau

Dakar-Plateau

This historic quarter of Dakar is located in the south of Cape Verde Peninsula and was built during the colonial era. It is still home to plenty of exceptional buildings from the beginning of the 20th century, like the Presidential Palace, Kermel Market and Our Lady of Victories Cathedral. The avenues follow a grid pattern and are lined with majestic trees, it's a lovely place to take a stroll.

Street art in the medina

Street art in the medina

Today, Senegal is a mainly Muslim country. The Medina of Dakar is a particularly authentic and interesting quarter to visit. Its old facades have gradually been covered by magnificent mural frescoes, particularly during the Festigraff, a major event dedicated to urban culture, which takes place each year in April.

Gorée Island

Gorée Island

This small, car-free island in the Bay of Dakar is a haven of peace. It was founded by the colonial administration before Dakar and was seen as perfect for a trading post for slaves, rubber, peanut oil, skins and spices. It is now a UNESCO heritage site and holiday destination, with its quiet streets, pastel-coloured facades and charming beach. Its calm, crystal clear waters are slightly cooler than those on the continent.

The Museum of Black Civilisations

This new museum was inaugurated in late 2018 and has become the largest in the city. Its bold architecture was inspired by the Impluvium houses in the Casamance region. The inaugural exhibition "African Civilisations: ongoing creation of mankind"  covers four floors divided into different periods: The Cradle of Humanity, Continental African Civilisations, Negritude Worldwide and Now Africa.

Wallace Neff's bubble houses

In what is now nicknamed the "Quartiers Boules" (Bubble District), we can still see very strange, egg-shaped houses. They date from the great reconstruction of Dakar in the 1950s, when American architect Wallace Neff was called upon to design quick-to-build, economical dwellings to replace more traditional shelters. He invented the Airform process, which consists in projecting cement onto a rubber ball covered with metal meshing. Over 1200 houses were built using this technique! We're sure you can find some of them.

Excursions

Saly

Saly

The best-known beaches in Senegal are to be found at the Saly Portudal coastal resort, 80 km south-east of Dakar. This former Portuguese trading post has become a sought-after tourist destination thanks to the quality of its hotels, restaurants, night clubs and arts and crafts shops. From the fishing village, you can still observe the return of fish-ladened pirogues.

The Lake of Retba

The distictive pink colour of this lake in the outskirts of Dakar is caused by a micro-organism. Its waters are extremely salty, due to seawater seepage which is then concentrated by evaporation. It is almost impossible to swim in because you float so easily. Bathing quickly becomes irritating for the skin, unless you smother yourself with shea butter like the salt workers do.

Gastronomy

Thieboudienne

Thieboudienne

This is the Senegalese national dish. It is made of rice, fish, vegetables (cabbage, carrots, cassava) a few spices and tomato sauce, which gives it its colour. A slow-cooked dish which can be found everywhere.

Yassa

Yassa is another iconic dish in the country, it is a speciality made with fried onions and rice, served with meat or fish marinated in lemon juice. It's quick and simple but also delicious. Chicken Yassa is the most common form but you can discover plenty of other options.

Practical information

Currency

CFA Franc

Spoken languages

French, Wolof

Time difference

-2h in summer, -1h in winter

Distance

3616 km

You might also like

* The information on this page is provided for information purposes only and is not exhaustive. The list of airlines is subject to change. Changes to flight offers may occur at any time and without notice. For details of connections, contact airlines or travel agencies.