Things to Do in Dakar
Top attractions, best neighborhoods to wander, and the food you shouldn't skip in Dakar, Senegal — 2026 traveler picks.
Top places to see
Île de Gorée (UNESCO slave trade memorial)
Pirogue ferry from Dakar harbour (XOF 5,200 round-trip, 25 min crossing). Maison des Esclaves + colonial buildings. Most emotional Dakar visit.
Marché Sandaga + Marché Kermel
Dakar's busiest market (Sandaga) + the historic colonial-era Kermel (rebuilt after fire). Senegalese textiles + fish + spices.
African Renaissance Monument
49m bronze statue (taller than Statue of Liberty) — controversial 2010 monument. XOF 8,000 entry. Best for a quick photo + view.
Lac Rose (Pink Lake)
40 min from Dakar — bright pink lake (Dunaliella salina algae). Famous Paris-Dakar Rally finish. Half-day excursion for 12+ hour layovers.
Book tours + skip-the-line tickets
Compare tours + attractions in Dakar across GetYourGuide, Tiqets and Trip.com — free cancellation on most, and prices match direct booking.
Things to do in Dakar
Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Dakar and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse DakarJust need timed-entry attraction tickets? Try Tiqets.Want a private driver-guide? Trip.com Private Tours in Dakar.Eat here first
Thieboudienne (Senegal's national dish: fish + rice) at any Maquis. Yassa poulet (lemon-onion chicken) at Le Lagon. Bissap (hibiscus drink) anywhere.
Local tip
DSS is 47km from central Dakar (the airport moved from old Léopold Sédar Senghor in 2017) — Yango ride-share is the standard option for tourists. Dakar Express bus is cheapest but slow. For 6+ hour layovers: Île de Gorée ferry + UNESCO visit is achievable in 5 hours.
Where to stay
Hotels across Dakar — filter by neighborhood + budget on the map below.