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Dakar, Senegal

Things to Do in Dakar

Top sights, the tours and tickets travellers book most, hidden gems and day trips.

Most booked:Explore Dakar and Gorée Island full day

Most booked tours and tickets in Dakar

Taxi DSS to DAKAR,SALY,RIU HOTEL,SOMONE ( please check Options)

Taxi DSS to DAKAR,SALY,RIU HOTEL,SOMONE ( please check Options)

5.0179 reviews50m
Pink lake with Bandia reserve. Minimum 2 people for reservation.

Pink lake with Bandia reserve. Minimum 2 people for reservation.

4.437 reviews8h

Top sights in Dakar

  1. 1Gorée Island
  2. 2African Renaissance Monument
  3. 3Lac Rose (Pink Lake)
  4. 4Sandaga Market
  5. 5IFAN Museum of African Arts
  6. 6Ngor Island
  • Immerse yourself in living history and culture: Stand in the slave quarters on Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and explore the poignant Maison des Esclaves. Then, contrast this with the contemporary power of the IFAN Museum of African Arts, home to one of the continent's finest collections of masks, instruments, and sculptures.
  • Experience legendary Senegalese hospitality (Teranga): This isn't just a concept; it's a daily practice. You'll feel it when a market vendor offers you attaya (sweet tea), when a stranger helps you find your way, or when you're invited to share a massive bowl of thieboudienne with a local family.
  • Surf world-class Atlantic waves and enjoy stunning beaches: From the consistent right-hand point break at Ngor Island to the powerful beach breaks of Ouakam and Yoff, Dakar is a surfer's paradise. For relaxation, the sheltered coves of Ngor and the vast stretches of Yoff Beach offer perfect sunbathing and swimming.

Tickets and passes in Dakar

Half Day Dakar City Tour (Minimum 2 Participants)

Half Day Dakar City Tour (Minimum 2 Participants)

4.333 reviews3h
Gorée Island - Pink Lake excursion 2 persons minimum

Gorée Island - Pink Lake excursion 2 persons minimum

5.025 reviews9h

Hidden gems in Dakar

Places most visitors miss, many of them free.

La Phare des Mamelles

The historic lighthouse perched atop the Mamelles hill, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the entire Cap-Vert peninsula.

Museum of Black Civilizations (MCN)

A stunning, modern museum dedicated to the contributions of black civilizations from Africa and the diaspora.

Plage de la Pointe des Almadies

The westernmost beach in Africa, located at the very tip of the Almadies peninsula.

Marché aux Poissons de Soumbédioune

The bustling fish market near the Mosque of the Divinity, where colorful pirogues unload their catch at dawn.

Les Jardins de la Francophonie

A peaceful, hidden botanical garden and cultural space near the Grand Mosque, featuring plants from across the French-speaking world.

Day trips from Dakar

Lac Rose (Pink Lake)

45 min - 1 hour by car/taxi

An otherworldly salt lake whose color shifts to vibrant pink due to algae, best seen in the dry season. It's also famous for its salt harvesters and as the finishing point of the Dakar Rally.

Île de Gorée

20 min by ferry from Port de Dakar

A UNESCO World Heritage site and a profoundly moving pilgrimage into the history of the Atlantic slave trade. The island is also strikingly beautiful, with colorful colonial houses and no cars.

Bandia Wildlife Reserve

1 hour 15 min by car

A fenced game reserve offering a 'mini-Savannah' experience, home to species reintroduced to Senegal like rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and various antelope.

Plan your Dakar trip

Things to do in Dakar: FAQ

What are the best things to do in Dakar?+

Top sights include Gorée Island, African Renaissance Monument, Lac Rose (Pink Lake) and Sandaga Market. Away from the crowds, try La Phare des Mamelles and Museum of Black Civilizations (MCN).

What are the most popular tours in Dakar?+

The most booked experiences on Viator are Explore Dakar and Gorée Island full day (5.0 stars, 280 reviews); Taxi DSS to DAKAR,SALY,RIU HOTEL,SOMONE ( please check Options) (5.0 stars, 179 reviews); Full-Day DAKAR city / GOREE Island Tour (4.7 stars, 174 reviews).

How much do tours in Dakar cost?+

The tours and tickets on this page start between €33 and €258 per person, depending on length and what is included.

Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.