Dakar
Dakar - the capital of Senegal
Located at the westernmost tip of Africa, facing the Atlantic Ocean, Dakar unfolds in an exciting blend of modernity and authenticity. The capital city charms everyone who chooses to stay longer than just a brief stopover. Here you’ll find lively markets, a vibrant nightlife, peaceful islands just off the coast, historic landmarks, artisan villages—and not least, genuine fishing communities that have preserved their traditional way of life.
Dakar is a dynamic and welcoming city offering a wide range of experiences for curious travelers. Discover some of Africa’s best surf beaches, long kept as a well-guarded secret. Spend a day on the historic Gorée Island, marvel at the city’s mosques and churches, bargain at local markets, stroll through art galleries and museums, enjoy the rich flavors of Senegalese cuisine, and climb to the top of Africa’s tallest statue for a breathtaking view over Dakar’s rooftops.
For those seeking sun and relaxation, the coastline just outside Dakar is a paradise—with long stretches of fine sand and small coves where the waves of the Atlantic roll in. Dakar is also ideal for deep-sea fishing, and its rich underwater world attracts divers from around the globe.
Other pleasures await: fresh seafood, lively evenings, and an atmosphere that will stay with you long after your journey ends.
Île de Gorée
Île de Gorée is a small yet deeply significant island just off the coast of Dakar—a place where history lives and breathes among colorful colonial buildings. Located less than three kilometers from Senegal’s capital, this car-free island stands as a quiet reminder of a dark past, but also as a monument to human resilience.
Measuring just 28 hectares, Gorée was one of the most important departure points in the transatlantic slave trade between the 1500s and 1800s. The “House of Slaves” (Maison des Esclaves), with its infamous “Door of No Return”—through which countless enslaved people were led onto ships—now serves as a memorial and museum to this brutal history.
Throughout the centuries, Gorée was ruled by the Portuguese, Dutch, British, and French, each colonial power leaving its mark on the island’s architecture. The pastel-colored buildings with wrought-iron balconies and vibrant contrasts tell a complex story of wealth built on human suffering.
UNESCO designated the island a World Heritage Site in 1978. Today, Gorée is a destination visited by tourists, heads of state, and cultural icons alike. Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama, and Pope John Paul II have all visited to pay tribute to its historical significance.
Despite its heavy past, Gorée is now a living, vibrant community of around 1,500 residents, where local artists create and exhibit their work. The island’s tranquil, car-free atmosphere and beautiful beaches offer a stark contrast to its painful legacy.
Just a twenty-minute boat ride from Dakar, Gorée is a powerful journey into history—a place where the past feels tangible. Every street corner and building on Île de Gorée holds stories of cruelty, but also of resistance, survival, and ultimately reconciliation.
Île de Ngor
Just a few hundred meters off the northern coast of Dakar, Île de Ngor rests like a small emerald in the Atlantic. This enchanting island offers a striking contrast to the vibrant pulse of the capital, despite being only a short boat ride away.
Though modest in size, the island holds a special place in the hearts of both locals and visitors. The brief journey from the mainland—a boat trip of just five minutes—transports travelers to a different world, one defined by tranquility and traditional Senegalese island life.
Île de Ngor is especially known for its unspoiled beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rich marine life, which attract snorkelers and divers alike. The island’s western beach has become a haven for surfers from around the world, with waves ranked among the best in West Africa. In fact, the 1966 film The Endless Summer, which helped shape global surf culture, was partially filmed here.
Life on the island is genuine and simple. Narrow, winding alleys lead through traditional houses where the Lebou people—one of Senegal’s coastal communities—have preserved much of their original way of life. Freshly caught fish are grilled over open fires, and local artisans craft unique souvenirs.
Small restaurants on the island serve fresh seafood straight from the ocean, prepared using traditional Senegalese recipes. Enjoying a plate of thieboudienne (Senegal’s national dish of fish and rice) while gazing out over the Atlantic is an experience that captures the essence of the Senegalese spirit.
Unlike its more famous neighbor, Île de Gorée, Ngor does not carry a heavy historical legacy. Instead, it offers a glimpse into the everyday life of modern Senegal—a place where tradition and the present day coexist in harmonious rhythm.
For travelers seeking a breath of fresh air from the intensity of Dakar, Île de Ngor is the perfect retreat. Here, on this tiny dot in the Atlantic, time slows down, allowing visitors to experience the unique balance of natural beauty and cultural richness that makes Senegal such a captivating destination.
