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Thiès
ℹ️Practical info — Thiès
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Visit the 'Manufacture Sénégalaise des Arts Décoratifs' to see world-famous decorative tapestries.
- Use horse-drawn carriages ('Charettes') for short trips within the city, an authentic experience.
- Enjoy the slightly cooler and more pleasant climate compared to Dakar.
- The central square is good for watching the city's evening bustle.
- Look for the historic railway buildings, which reflect the city's past as a major transport hub.
🍽 Food
A refreshing drink made from hibiscus flowers, sold ice-cold by street vendors.
Try the local version of the national dish in restaurants around Place de France.
A thick, sweet drink made from the fruit of the baobab tree.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Unique artworks available directly in the factory's showroom.
Famous for hand-woven baskets and leather goods from the region.
A neighborhood with wide, tree-lined streets and colonial flair, convenient for walking.
The green spaces in this area are often quiet and offer shade.
Water temperature…
Thiès is the third-largest city in Senegal, located approximately 70 kilometers east of Dakar. Its development is closely linked to the construction of the Dakar-Niger railway line in the early 20th century, which turned the city into a central transportation hub and workshop center. Thiès is known today as the 'city of rails' and hosts significant educational institutions such as the École Polytechnique de Thiès. A cultural landmark of the city is the 'Manufactures Sénégalaises des Arts Décoratifs,' founded in 1966 under the initiative of President Léopold Sédar Senghor, which is world-famous for its handmade tapestries. Geographically, the city sits on a plateau and serves as a transition zone between the coastal region and the interior. The economy is shaped by transportation, agriculture, and mining (nearby phosphate extraction). In recent years, Thiès has gained economic importance due to its proximity to the new Blaise Diagne International Airport and the expansion of the highway network. The city is also a vital center for Senegalese craftsmanship and design.
- Location: Senegal
- Top sights: Mickey Land · Chez Baba Nd · Place Agora
- Nearby: Somone (37 km)
- Population: ~317.763 (2023)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 24 |
| Rain mm | 8 | 9 | 21 | 9 | 2 | 17 | 89 | 176 | 150 | 42 | 8 | 7 |
Geography
Facts
- Thiès was established as an independent commune in 1902.
- The city is a major railway junction on the Dakar-Niger line.
- The famous tapestry manufactory was established in 1966.
- Large phosphate mines (Taïba) are located in the vicinity of Thiès.
- The city hosts the renowned École Polytechnique de Thiès.
- Thiès is located about 70 kilometers from the capital city, Dakar.
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Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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Sights in the town Thiès (4)
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