Senegal · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Senegal
These are the places we would point a friend to in Senegal, from Dakar's surf beaches, galleries and music clubs to Saint-Louis, the Petite Cote, the Sine-Saloum mangroves and Casamance. Small businesses change quietly here, so check opening times locally before you set out.
Places to Visit in Dakar
Things to Do
- African Renaissance Monument (Ouakam)
Ride up inside the giant bronze statue for the widest view over Dakar and the ocean. - Goree Island ferry (Port of Dakar, Plateau)
The short crossing to car free Goree, the essential half day from the capital. - Mamelles Lighthouse (Ouakam)
A short uphill walk to the lighthouse for sunset over the Atlantic. - Surf lessons at Yoff (Yoff)
Beginner friendly surf schools on the beaches north of the city. - Ngor Right surf break (Ngor Island)
The famous right hand wave that put Dakar on the global surf map. - Corniche Ouest walk (Corniche Ouest)
Join joggers and outdoor gym fans along the seafront path at sunset.
Arts and Culture
- House of Slaves (Goree Island)
A moving memorial to the Atlantic slave trade with its famous Door of No Return. - Museum of Black Civilisations (Place de la Gare, Plateau)
A bold modern museum celebrating African and diaspora history, art and science. - IFAN Museum of African Arts (Place Soweto, Plateau)
Masks, textiles and instruments from across West Africa in a compact colonial building. - Village des Arts (Route de l'Aeroport, Yoff)
Wander open studios where Dakar's painters and sculptors work and sell. - Mosque of the Divinity (Ouakam)
A white mosque on the shore, striking at sunset with the waves below. - Layene Mausoleum (Yoff)
The seaside mausoleum of the Layene brotherhood's founder, in a traditional Lebou village. - Grand Theatre National (Plateau)
Catch a concert or performance at the national theatre.
Nature and Outdoors
- Ngor Island (Ngor)
Hop on a pirogue for calm swimming coves, seafood lunches and surf off the point. - Lac Rose (Niaga, near Dakar)
A salt lake that can glow pink in the dry season, worked by salt collectors. - Yoff Beach (Yoff)
A wide working beach where fishermen haul in pirogues and locals play football.
Shopping and Markets
- Soumbedioune Fish Market (Corniche Ouest)
Watch the pirogues land the evening catch and browse the craft village next door. - Marche Kermel (Plateau)
A restored colonial market hall with fish, flowers, fabric and crafts. - Marche HLM (HLM)
Dakar's fabric market, piled high with wax prints and bazin, with tailors close by. - Marche Tilene (Medina)
A noisy everyday market for spices, produce and a real slice of Medina life.
Restaurants
- Chez Loutcha (Plateau)
Generous plates of Senegalese and Cape Verdean classics in a long running local favourite. - Le Lagon 1 (Corniche Est, Plateau)
A seafood restaurant on stilts over the water with views to Goree. - Le Ngor (Ngor)
A classic seafront restaurant for grilled fish and lobster with sea views. - Les Almadies Pointe (Almadies)
Head to the point of Almadies for grilled fish shacks and waves crashing below.
Cafés
- Cafe de Rome (Plateau)
A Dakar institution for coffee, pastries and people watching in the centre. - La Brioche Doree (Point E)
A busy bakery cafe for croissants, sandwiches and breakfast. - Cafe Touba stalls (Medina)
Try spiced cafe Touba from a street vendor, a Dakar morning ritual.
Bars and Nightlife
- Just 4 U (Point E)
Dakar's best known live music club, with mbalax, jazz and Afro bands. - Le Djoloff (Fann Hock)
A rooftop bar and restaurant with live jazz and city views.
Events
- Dak'Art Biennale (Citywide)
Africa's leading contemporary art biennale, held in even numbered years. - Dakar wrestling matches (Arene Nationale, Pikine)
Watch laamb, Senegal's wrestling, a spectacle of music, mystique and muscle.
Stays
- Terrou-Bi (Corniche Ouest)
A seafront hotel with a private beach, pool and casino. - Radisson Blu Hotel Dakar Sea Plaza (Corniche Ouest)
Sea view rooms and an infinity pool beside a shopping mall. - Pullman Dakar Teranga (Plateau)
A central hotel with ocean views, a good choice for short stays.
Places to Visit in Saint-Louis
Things to Do
- Faidherbe Bridge (Saint-Louis island)
The iron bridge that is the city's symbol, best seen lit at night. - Caleche tour of the island (Saint-Louis island)
Clip clop around the old streets by horse drawn carriage.
Arts and Culture
- Guet Ndar fishing quarter (Langue de Barbarie)
Hundreds of painted pirogues and a vibrant fishing community. - CRDS Museum (Southern tip of the island)
Regional history and ethnography in an old colonial building. - Institut Francais Saint-Louis (Saint-Louis island)
Concerts, films and exhibitions in a colonial building.
Nature and Outdoors
- Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary (Djoudj)
Huge flocks of pelicans and flamingos in one of the world's great wetlands. - Langue de Barbarie National Park (Gandiol)
Boat trips past seabird colonies at the river mouth.
Restaurants
- Hotel de la Poste restaurant (Saint-Louis island)
Dine in the historic hotel tied to the Aeropostale pilots. - Fish grills on Guet Ndar (Langue de Barbarie)
Grilled fish fresh from the boats at simple beach stalls.
Cafés
- Flamingo Bar (Quai Henri Jay)
A riverside terrace for drinks and live music on weekends.
Events
- Saint-Louis Jazz Festival (Citywide)
One of Africa's oldest jazz festivals, usually around late May or early June.
Stays
- Hotel de la Poste (Saint-Louis island)
A historic hotel full of aviation memorabilia beside the bridge. - Hotel La Residence (Saint-Louis island)
A family run hotel in a restored colonial house. - Zebrabar (Langue de Barbarie, Mouit)
A campement in the park with kayaks and birdlife at the door.
Shopping and Markets
- Sor Market (Sor)
The mainland market for fabric, produce and everyday life.
Places to Visit in Saly
Nature and Outdoors
- Somone Lagoon (Somone)
Pirogue trips through mangroves full of birds where the river meets the sea. - Bandia Reserve (Bandia)
An easy game drive among giraffes, rhinos and giant baobabs. - Popenguine Nature Reserve (Popenguine)
Cliff walks and dry forest in a community managed reserve.
Shopping and Markets
- Mbour Fish Market (Mbour)
Chaotic, colourful afternoon landings of hundreds of pirogues. - Saly crafts village (Saly Portudal)
Woodcarvings, fabric and jewellery in the resort's craft market.
Arts and Culture
- Joal-Fadiouth (Joal)
Walk the wooden bridge to an island made of seashells and its shared cemetery. - Sobo Bade (Toubab Dialaw)
A mosaic covered arts centre and guesthouse on the cliffs. - Popenguine Basilica (Popenguine)
The shrine at the heart of Senegal's Pentecost pilgrimage.
Bars and Nightlife
- Saly Portudal nightlife strip (Saly Portudal)
Bars and clubs along the main resort road.
Things to Do
- Accrobaobab (Bandia forest)
Ziplines and rope courses through huge baobab trees.
Stays
- Lamantin Beach Resort (Saly Portudal)
A large spa resort on the beach. - Royam Hotel (Saly Portudal)
A resort with pools and gardens close to the beach. - Les Manguiers de Guereo (Guereo)
A peaceful lodge near the Somone lagoon.
Events
- Popenguine Pentecost pilgrimage (Popenguine)
A huge Catholic pilgrimage walk from Dakar at Pentecost.
Places to Visit in Toubacouta
Nature and Outdoors
- Saloum Delta National Park (Toubacouta)
Boat trips into protected mangroves and seabird islands. - Fathala Reserve (Karang)
A wildlife reserve with giraffes, antelope and a forest of baobabs. - Palmarin salt flats (Palmarin)
Pink tinged salt pans and lagoons at the delta's edge.
Things to Do
- Sine-Saloum pirogue trip (Toubacouta)
Drift through mangrove channels, stopping at shell islands and villages. - Kayaking the bolongs (Toubacouta)
Paddle quietly through creeks at high tide. - Foundiougne ferry crossing (Foundiougne)
A slow river crossing into the sleepy town on the Saloum.
Stays
- Keur Saloum (Toubacouta)
A riverside lodge with bungalows and boats at the jetty. - Les Paletuviers (Toubacouta)
A comfortable lodge among mangroves with a pool and boat trips. - Ecolodge de Simal (Simal)
Eco cabins on a creek with kayaks and quiet nights. - Fathala Wildlife Lodge (Karang)
Tented luxury on the edge of the reserve. - Les Collines de Niassam (Palmarin)
Unique tree houses and stilt rooms over a lagoon.
Arts and Culture
- Mar Lodj island (Mar Lodj)
A car free island where Muslim, Christian and animist shrines sit side by side.
Restaurants
- Lodge fish lunches on a sandbank (Toubacouta)
Grilled fish on a sandbank in the middle of the delta.
Shopping and Markets
- Sokone market (Sokone)
A rural market where delta villagers trade fish and produce.
Places to Visit in Ziguinchor
Shopping and Markets
- Marche Saint-Maur (Centre)
The busy central market for produce, fabric and daily life. - Ziguinchor artisans market (Centre)
Woodcarvings, baskets and fabric from Casamance artisans.
Things to Do
- Casamance River pirogue trip (Riverfront)
Explore mangroves, bird islands and fishing villages by boat.
Arts and Culture
- Alliance Franco-Senegalaise (Centre)
A beautiful building in Casamance style hosting concerts and exhibitions. - Carabane Island (Carabane)
An island with a colonial past, a quiet beach and an old church. - Cases a etage of Mlomp (Mlomp)
Unique two storey mud houses in a Jola village. - Oussouye (Oussouye)
The heart of Jola country and seat of the King of Oussouye. - Impluvium house of Enampore (Enampore)
A round clay house built around a rainwater basin.
Restaurants
- Le Perroquet (Riverfront)
A friendly riverfront spot for fish and a drink at sunset.
Stays
- Hotel Kadiandoumagne (Riverfront)
A hotel with a terrace over the Casamance River. - Le Flamboyant (Centre)
A comfortable central hotel with a pool.
Nature and Outdoors
- Elinkine fishing port (Elinkine)
A busy port and the jumping off point for Carabane. - Kafountine fish smoking beach (Kafountine)
A vast beach where fish is smoked in open air.
Places to Visit in Cap Skirring
Nature and Outdoors
- Cap Skirring beach (Cap Skirring)
Miles of soft white sand and palm trees. - Boucotte beach (Boucotte)
Quiet beach walks past a fishing village. - Diembering (Diembering)
A village of giant kapok trees and dunes near the beach.
Stays
- Club Med Cap Skirring (Cap Skirring)
The classic all inclusive resort on the beach. - Hotel La Paillote (Cap Skirring)
A beachfront hotel with bungalows and a good restaurant.
Restaurants
- La Paillote restaurant (Cap Skirring)
Seafood dinners near the sand. - Village fish restaurants (Cap Skirring village)
Grilled barracuda and rice in simple family places.
Bars and Nightlife
- Cap Skirring beach bars (Cap Skirring)
Sundowners on the sand as the sun drops into the Atlantic.
Shopping and Markets
- Cap Skirring village market (Cap Skirring village)
Fruit, fabric and crafts in the village centre.
Things to Do
- Bicycle tour of the villages (Cap Skirring)
Cycle through rice paddies and Jola villages.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- La Fourchette (Plateau, Dakar)
Refined dining and cocktails in a stylish setting popular with Dakar's creatives. - Chez Fatou (Ngor beach, Dakar)
Fresh grilled fish with your toes in the sand at Ngor's fishing beach. - Le Cabanon (Almadies, Dakar)
Seafood and sundowners on a terrace right at the westernmost tip of Africa. - Chez Katia (Plateau, Dakar)
Simple, home style Senegalese plates in the city centre. - Patio Almadies (Almadies, Dakar)
A popular open air spot for drinks, music and evening crowds. - Thiossane Club (Sicap, Dakar)
Youssou N'Dour's legendary nightclub for late night mbalax. - Marche aux Puces (Medina, Dakar)
A sprawling flea market for second hand everything and serious bargaining. - Hotel du Phare (Les Mamelles, Dakar)
A small boutique hotel under the lighthouse. - Maison Abaka (Ouakam, Dakar)
A relaxed guesthouse popular with surfers near the reef breaks. - Hostellerie du Chevalier de Boufflers (Goree Island, Dakar)
Stay on Goree after the day visitors leave, with a terrace restaurant. - Musee de la Femme Henriette Bathily (Goree Island, Dakar)
A museum devoted to the roles and history of Senegalese women. - La Kora (Saint-Louis island, Saint-Louis)
Senegalese and international dishes in a historic building on the island. - La Linguere (Saint-Louis island, Saint-Louis)
A local favourite for thieboudienne, said to be born in Saint-Louis. - Siki Bar (Saint-Louis island, Saint-Louis)
A friendly bar with art on the walls and a mixed crowd. - Galerie Atelier Tesss (Saint-Louis island, Saint-Louis)
Local weaving and crafts made in the town. - Gandiol salt pans (Gandiol, Saint-Louis)
Women harvest salt in the pans near the river mouth. - Le Soleil de la Somone (Somone, Saly)
Lagoon side dining with sunset views. - Saly Marina restaurants (Saly Portudal, Saly)
A cluster of seafood and pizza spots near the boats. - Le Calao (Saly Portudal, Saly)
Simple local plates and grilled fish in the village. - Le Ndiambour (Saly Portudal, Saly)
A smaller hotel within walking distance of the centre. - Campement Sitor (Ndangane, Toubacouta)
A simple, friendly base for trips to Mar Lodj. - Dioron Boumak shell mound (Saloum Delta, Toubacouta)
An ancient shell midden crowned with baobabs. - Sipo island (Toubacouta, Toubacouta)
A tiny island village with its own small kingdom. - Le Kassa (Riverfront, Ziguinchor)
Riverside dining with Casamance dishes. - Abene Festival (Abene, Ziguinchor)
Music and dance around the turn of the year in a coastal village. - Campement Villageois d'Oussouye (Oussouye, Ziguinchor)
A simple village run guesthouse in Jola country. - Les Hibiscus (Cap Skirring, Cap Skirring)
A small, calm hotel close to the beach. - Auberge le Palmier (Cap Skirring village, Cap Skirring)
A friendly budget base in the village. - Le Mussuwam (Cap Skirring, Cap Skirring)
A relaxed beachside restaurant and hotel. - Cap Skirring golf course (Cap Skirring, Cap Skirring)
A seaside golf course among the palms.