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Dakar
ℹ️Practical info — Dakar
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Take the earliest ferry to Île de Gorée to avoid the large crowds and the intense midday heat while exploring its historic streets.
- Dakar traffic (embouteillages) can be notoriously heavy; always plan extra time for cross-city travel and avoid moving during rush hours.
- Yellow and black taxis don't have meters; you must negotiate the price firmly but politely before getting inside.
- Greetings are incredibly important in Senegalese culture; always say 'Bonjour' and ask how someone is before asking for directions or buying something.
🍽 Food
The flavorful national dish is best enjoyed at a local 'tangana' (street food stall) or a bustling lunchtime spot in the Plateau district.
Tangy chicken marinated in lemon and caramelized onions, widely available in casual restaurants across the city.
A refreshing, sweet hibiscus drink sold everywhere from simple street corners to high-end cafes.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Located in a beautiful colonial circular building, great for buying quality souvenirs, traditional masks, and fresh produce.
The absolute best place to buy local crafts, fine leather goods, and intricate wood carvings directly from the artisans.
A chaotic, intense market experience; excellent for buying vivid African fabrics, but be prepared for aggressive vendors.
The lighthouse, perched on one of the city's highest hills, gives memorable panoramic views of the peninsula and is especially peaceful at sunset.
A short pirogue ride from the noisy mainland, this small pedestrian-only island features quiet, sandy beaches and calm alleyways.
Water temperature…
Dakar is the capital of Senegal and is situated on the Cap-Vert Peninsula, the westernmost point of the African mainland. The city was founded in 1857 by the French as a fortified settlement and replaced Saint-Louis as the capital of French West Africa in 1902. This colonial past still shapes the city's appearance today, particularly in the Plateau district with its administrative buildings. Geographically, the city is favored by its strategic location on the Atlantic Ocean, which has made it one of the most important ports in West Africa. Dakar is a significant cultural center, renowned for the IFAN Museum of African Arts and the African Renaissance Monument, the tallest statue in Africa. The nearby Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, serves as a memorial to the transatlantic slave trade. Today, the metropolis is a dynamic economic hub with over 1.1 million inhabitants (over 3.7 million in the metropolitan area). It serves as a vital transport hub for sea and air traffic between Europe, the Americas, and the African continent.
- Location: Senegal
- Top sights: Place de l'Obélisque · Centre Technique Couturière · Massalikoul Djinane
- Nearby: Pikine (10 km)
- Population: ~2.646.503 (2024)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Feb–Apr.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 24 |
| Rain mm | 11 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 14 | 79 | 191 | 170 | 49 | 9 | 13 |
Geography
Facts
- Dakar is located at the westernmost point of Africa on the Cap-Vert Peninsula.
- The city was founded in 1857 by French General Faidherbe.
- The African Renaissance Monument stands 52 meters tall.
- Gorée Island was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1978.
- Dakar served as the capital of French West Africa from 1902 to 1960.
- The Dakar metropolitan area houses about 25% of Senegal's total population.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Dakar (10)
Centre de Recherche et d'Essais
Research and testing center for disseminating results and technology transfer.
CyberGame
Internet café or gaming center in Dakar, providing computer and game access.
Just 4 U
Arts center in Dakar, offering creative and cultural workshops.
Grande Mosquée de Dakar
Great Mosque in Dakar, Senegal, a central place of worship.
Grand Théâtre National de Dakar
National Theatre in Dakar, venue for theatre, dance, and music performances.
Musée International sur la Biographie du Prophète (PSL)🏛 museum
Museum in Dakar depicting the life of the Prophet Muhammad.
Frequently asked questions
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Dakar: where is it located?
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