The capital and the coast
Banjul sits on St Mary's Island at the mouth of the river, a small, slightly faded capital with Arch 22, the National Museum and the noisy Albert Market. Most people visit for a day rather than stay.
Just west lies the resort coast of Kololi, Kotu and Bakau, where the hotels, restaurants and nightlife cluster. Here you find the Senegambia Strip, Bijilo Forest Park, the Kachikally crocodile pool and long beaches from Cape Point to Kololi. It is the easiest first base, especially for families and first-timers.
The quieter south
Head south along the coastal highway and the south coast from Tanji to Kartong feels like another country: fishing villages, the colourful Tanji fish landing, empty beaches at Sanyang and Gunjur and eco lodges near the Senegal border. Birders love the Tanji Bird Reserve and Kartong's wetlands.
Roots heritage
A boat trip up the river brings you to Kunta Kinteh Island and Juffureh, the heart of the story told in Alex Haley's Roots and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the most important day trip in the country and especially meaningful for diaspora visitors.
The upper river
Far inland, Janjanbureh and the upper river is the Gambia few tourists see: a sleepy island town, hippos in the river, the chimpanzee islands of the River Gambia National Park and the ancient Wassu stone circles. Allow at least two nights.
How to combine them
A classic week is four or five nights on the coast with day trips to Banjul, Kunta Kinteh Island and the south coast. With ten days or more, add two or three nights upriver. Use the free trip planner to shape your route, or browse our places to visit for specific spots.