Dakar walking tour & city guide
A breezy Atlantic capital of music, markets and ocean views.
6 videos · uploaded 2020–2025
Downtown Dakar: 4K Immersive Walk
Video by Ludo Liu · Mar 2024 · All rights belong to the creator
All rights belong to the creator.
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Explore Dakar
City guide
Dakar on foot
Dakar fills the Cap-Vert peninsula, with the Atlantic on three sides. The Plateau, the old downtown, has wide avenues, markets and colonial buildings; the Corniche road runs along cliffs and beaches; and fishing villages like Yoff and Soumbédioune still launch their long painted pirogues from the sand every morning.
The Plateau and the Corniche
Independence Square is the heart of the Plateau, surrounded by banks, ministries and the busy Sandaga and Kermel markets. The Corniche Ouest leads north past the Soumbédioune fish market and craft village to Les Almadies, the westernmost point of the African mainland, lined with seafood shacks and surf spots.
On a hill above Ouakam stands the African Renaissance Monument, a bronze statue taller than the Statue of Liberty, with a viewing platform over the city and the ocean.
A classic day
Take the morning ferry from the port to Gorée Island, a car-free island of ochre houses and bougainvillea, and visit the House of Slaves, a memorial to the Atlantic slave trade and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Back in Dakar, walk the Corniche in the late afternoon and watch the sunset from the cliffs near Les Mamelles lighthouse.
Good to know
The dry season from November to May is the best time to visit, with cooler sea breezes from December to March. Taxis are cheap but agree the fare before you get in, or use the new BRT rapid bus and the TER train. Dakar is generally relaxed, but keep an eye on bags in crowded markets.
Don't miss
Top sights in Dakar
- 1
Gorée Island
A car-free island and memorial to the slave trade, by ferry from the port.
- 2
African Renaissance Monument
A giant bronze statue with views over Dakar.
- 3
Pointe des Almadies
The westernmost point of mainland Africa.
- 4
IFAN Museum of African Arts
Masks, textiles and sculpture from across West Africa.
- 5
Grand Mosque of Dakar
A landmark mosque with a tall minaret.
- 6
Les Mamelles Lighthouse
A hilltop lighthouse with sunset views over the ocean.
Eat
Food markets & where to eat in Dakar
Soumbédioune fish market
Fresh fish landed on the beach and grilled nearby.
Marché Kermel
A historic covered market in the Plateau.
Les Almadies
Seafood shacks along the westernmost coast.
Taste
Food to try in Dakar
Thieboudienne
Fish and rice cooked in tomato sauce, the national dish.
Yassa
Chicken or fish in a lemon and onion sauce.
Mafé
A rich peanut stew with meat and vegetables.
Bissap
A cold drink of hibiscus flowers.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
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