The 10 things to do in Dakar

Visit Dakar: what are the best things to do and see in the capital of Senegal?

Are you looking for a cool place just 6 hours away from home? And if you let yourself be tempted by Senegal and in particular the city Dakar ? While for some, Dakar is synonymous with noise, rage, botttling, dirt, it seems that the city has another one, namely an incredible and fascinating city, a lively, lively, warm, bathed by the ocean’s clutches.

The first things to do in Dakar

To get a better impression, you have to start by getting to Mamelles lighthouse to have a fantastic 360° panorama on the peninsula. In the middle of this city that frogs at your feet, you take a good bowl of marine air.

To discover the authentic Dakar, why not go directly to the market Tilène ? With its special grigris space where you can find all your happiness in medicinal herbs, powders, seeds, dried animals and other perlimpinpine powders, you will realize how Senegalese are always attached to animistic values.

To take a little digestive break, go eat seafood on the Point of Almadies a golden opportunity that will make you forget that you stay in a city of more than 3 million souls.

For those who want to discover the surroundings and see breathtaking landscapes, there are the Yoff beaches , those of Ngor or the island of Gorée which is sadly known for being the largest trading center of slaves across the African coast.

Tens of places full of life

For all that is cultural, Dakar which is the capital of Senegal is full of places that will satisfy your desires for art: first there are museums of Gorée a woman's museum, a museum of the sea, a museum of the slave house.

The national gallery offers beautiful works but the atmosphere is not frankly warm while at the gallery Arte permanent exhibitions of art and crafts with sculptures, jewellery or paintings live in an enchanting and extremely lively place.

The café des arts (rue Mousse Diop) is an attachment gallery for about 15 painters not to be missed.

Samba Diery Diallo offers a permanent exhibition of paintings and photos that tell the history of the national gendarmerie from the mid-19th century to the present day.

The theatre Daniel Sorano is the national Senegalese theatre: you will often see African ballets as well as contemporary or traditional concerts. Located in the heart of Dakar, the theatre would deserve to be better exploited to radiate as a true popular cultural place.

I mean, IFAN Museum (Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noire), created by Mr. Théodore Monod, is now made up of various departments dominated by Cheikh Anta Diop University and the museum. Even if the rare collections are not highlighted as they should be, it is a place to discover and make discover for African art to live.

Monuments

There is first Presidential palace : former palace of the governor of Dakar during the colonial period, this palace is facing the sea, surrounded by magnificent tropical gardens. Unfortunately, this palace is not accessible from the inside and it is recommended to have the authorization of a Red Guard (legion of the gendarmerie) to make some pictures.

The Bel Air Catholic Cemetery : located in the district of Bel Air, not far from the French military camp and the beach of the Voile d’Or, this cemetery is reserved for all Catholics and a monument to the dead pays tribute to the victims of the Senegalese fire brigades of two world wars.

Cathedral of Dakar : a rather incredible place to discover, especially for its African frescoes on the parvis.

L’ Hotel de Ville : a colonial building that has not lost its original function. It dominates the port and the building presents a certain cachet. It is impossible to visit the town hall but it is possible to discover the municipal premises and the garden.

The Corniche : it is in fact a road that runs along the steep coast of the end of the Cape Verde peninsula. A busy road and that’s why you have to be very careful not to go there in the evening or at night. On the day, it is a perfect place to discover far from the islands of Gorée and also those of the Madeleines.

L’ Cheikh Anta Diop University : simply the largest university in West Africa. Composing a campus, scientific buildings but also a university hospital, the national health development school, this university is a real small town in Dakar. A haven of peace and silence where you can stroll, work, rest, drink a fresh drink, buy some books in the shops.

Don’t forget African Renaissance Monument a monumental statue of 52 meters in bronze and copper

Other places

The Parc d’Hann is a small forest park that identifies all plant species in the country. The large aisles allow you to walk quietly or then make your little morning running session. For those who have children, this place is perfect as it also benefits from a zoo with many specimens of lions, gazelles, gorillas, hyenas, small monkeys.

The Kermel : dating from the middle of the 19th century, it is one of the most important sites in Dakar because it is here that the whole economic and social life of the city is concentrated: a va and comes constant from people, smells, flavors and colors to lose their heads. The products offered on the stalls are of very good quality (fruits, fish, meats) even if the prices are a little more expensive than accustomed.

For the most religious of you, the great mosque in Dakar is open, including non-Muslims, just bend to the rules of Muslim use (remove its shoes, silence in prayer rooms, cover your shoulders and legs).

The beach of Yoff (as mentioned at the beginning of this article) is a perfect place to forget constant demands, traffic, noise, dust. If you have children, here is a place to breathe with your family, put your feet in the water. And then, enjoy the panorama that offers to you at the top of one of the two “mashes” of the beach, one of those hills surmounted by a lighthouse.

The Pointe des Almadies is the most western point in all of Africa, it is located at the end of the Cap Vert peninsula with its two small hills of 100 meters high, you will have the opportunity to admire a breathtaking view of the ocean, on the beach and a small part of Dakar.

Dakar: How to get there? Where to sleep?

There are direct flights Paris Dakar with Air France, Corsair or Air Europe, which provide daily flights. Flights with stopovers are also possible from many French cities such as Bordeaux, Toulouse, Lyon, Carcassonne, Nantes, and Nice in various companies such as Brussels Airlines, Iberia and Ryanair. Make sure you find the best prices on Ulysses .

Making your hotel choice in the "Dakarian jungle" seems difficult. Strangely, it is the luxury hotels that offer the best quality-price ratios. Choose instead the residential suburbs (Ngor, Yoff, ...) To find a cheap hotel in Dakar, search our website Compare hotels .

Have you visited Dakar?