Dakar

African Renaissance Monument

This colossal copper monument opened in 2010 and is dedicated to Africa's emergence from the oppressive European regimes that once ruled the continent and the end of slavery. It is also meant as a display of African pride to counter foreign perceptions of Africans as inferior people. The monument is rather controversial, with some Africans feeling the sense of pride it is meant to evoke while others criticizing it as a foreign (it was built by North Korea), completely un-African Stalinist statue. With its 52 m from base to top, it is the tallest statue in Africa and also the tallest in the world outside Eurasia. Free to visit on the outside. But the view from the top and the exhibition is worth the admission.

Open now · open 24 hours·CFA6500

Ali Baba

Greasy Spoon where you can get cheap Lebanese food. Good falafel sandwiches with French fries and lots of tahina sauce, shwarma, kebab and all sorts of other delicious (also western) snacks. Find it halfway up Ave. Pompidou.

Artisan Boulanger Eric Kayser

It's along the street of Cafe du Rome towards La Corniche (the sea) and away from the centre two blocks up on your right hand side. Serves fresh, warm croissants, pain au chocolate and pain ain au raisins. The coffee is good and the fruit juices freshly squeezed. You will be surrounded by locals in beautiful Islamic outfits, reading the paper and discussing the latest news.

Café de Rome

Authentic French food (you feel like you're in France), from oysters to steak tartar, and the famous Sole Meuniere. It is pricey by Dakar standards, but the food is great

Chez Elias

Fast food very popular with menu at the top. Simple welcoming place. Quality food and fast service. Best Shawarma.

Chez Loutcha

Chez Lutcha is a Cape Verdian restaurant that serves huge portions of excellent food. Cape Verdian (Portuguese inspired) dishes, Senegalese food and international cuisine. Cosy courtyard or air-con dining room. Excellent service.

Dakar Grand Mosque

Built in 1964 by French and Moroccan architects. Due to the Moroccan influence, there are strong similarities with the Grand Mosque in Casablanca.

Grand National Theater of Dakar

Grand Théâtre National de Dakar

One of the largest theaters in West Africa, hosting major concerts.

Hann Park and Zoo

The public gardens were built in 1903 and the arboretum was built in 1947. The gardens feature a wide variety of Senegalese plant life and the zoo contains over 130 animals.

Tue-Sun 10:00-12:30 and 15:00-18:30

Hotel Restaurant Farid

Drink a gigantic Arrak (made from anis) as an aperitif and then order the 20 Mezze.

Hotel de l'Indépendance

Eat here for the magnificent views from the restaurant on 16th floor.

Ile de Gorée

Goree Island

It was named by the Dutch after taking over the island from the Portuguese in the late 1600s. Today it's listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Goree was a minor location used for the transport of slaves headed to the Americas, though its prominence is often overplayed. The island has interesting colonial architecture, mostly in ruins, including the landmark "House of Slaves" museum. Ferries can be taken from the terminal north of Place de l'Independence and cost CFA5000. The trip takes 10-20 minutes. There are many small restaurants and a handful of places offering lodging. Just walk around and explore. It's a small island, so you can easily stroll around it in an hour. You can buy cheap beer and lounge on the beach when you're done, or stroll some more and buy art-work from the locals.

Ile de Ngor

Small popular isle off northwest tip of Dakar with clean (hopefully) beach and bars/eateries. A 5-minute boat ride to get there costs about 500 CFA leaves from the Embarcadere Ile de Ngor on mainland.

La Fourchette

Stylish place serving international cuisine (Mexican, Japanese, Moroccan, etc.) at moderate prices. Next to Marche Kermel.

Lake Retba

Lac Rose

Also called the "Pink Lake", the high concentration of cyanobacteria indeed gives the lake a pink tone. During the dry season and when the sun is brightest the color is said to be especially vivid. The lake has a high concentration of salt, so while you admire the beauty of the lake, you can also observe the salt harvesters who still gather salt in the traditional way.

Le Jardin Thailandais

Huge menu of delicious Thai food, great atmosphere. A little pricey, but worth it. Across the street from UCAD (Université Cheikh Anta Diop) off of Avenue Cheikh Anta Diop/Rue de Ouakam. There is a jazz club across the street.

Le N'Gor

A brightly painted open-air restaurant overlooking the sea. Several terraced patios give it a good feel. Portions are small, but the food is delicious. Expect to pay CFA10,000 for a full meal with beer and dessert. It is located in Les Almadies past the Hotel de Almadies from the new US embassy, set back from the road behind an often empty parking lot. Look for poorly lit painted signs for "Ile de Le N'Gor".

Le Viking

On the Ponty, in the midst of Sandaga madness, it is a popular spot for expats and tourists. Pricey drinks, but great atmosphere. Live music on weekend nights!

Leopold Sedar Senghor French Institute

French cultural institute offering theater, library, French lessons, dance, exhibitions, buffet.

Daily 09:00-20:00

Les Almadies

Les pointes des Almadies

The Western tip of the African continent where plenty of seafood restaurants are located.

Les batons ("BANT-YII")

Mythical place in Dakar to eat meat skewers with an epise from Niger made from corn. Atypical place if you are a lover of good meat. The food is very tasty there.

Loman Art Gallery

https://www.lomanart.com/

A place for contemporary African art aficionados owned by the eponymous artist. Along with works by various artists, you can find special showings, a cafe and even a homestay.

Daily 10:00-18:00·Free admission

Léopold Sédar Senghor national stadium

Football is as important as music! When the biggest team ASC Jeanne D'Arc plays, the stadium is packed with more than 60,000 fans. Expect passion, noise and African football at its best.

€5-15

Madeline Islands National Park

Le Parc National des Iles de la Madeleine

Island off Dakar tip with pristine ecosystem (particularly birds, bird nests) Stone Age tool discoveries, and place of ancient worship that is considered the smallest national park in the world. The boat trip can be a little intimidating, being in the open ocean on a canoe, but feels a world away from the hustle of Dakar, which you can take pictures of from the island.

~5000 CFA for boat trip

Magic Land, Dakar

A Senegalese amusement park, kind of run-down, like it is Pennywise's home. But if you get bored there is also the Casino Terrou-Bi and a small beach next door.

Sun-Fri 10:00-22:00, Sat 10:00-24:00

Marche Kermel

Traditional Senegalese market. Casino du Port also near here (north towards harbour) if you want to have a buffet or spend time at a casino.

Marche Sandaga

Madness. A decrepit concrete structure that has, despite appearance, three levels of activity: meat and vegetable stalls on the main floor, fish in the basement dungeon and restaurant stalls on the roof. You will need to brave the crumpled stairs and step around guys cleaning dead chicken to make it up. Around the market building a sprawling network of stalls offer everything from copied music CDs, Manchester United shirts, electronic gadgets and Islamic books. The hawkers can be very aggressive. The place is infamous for pickpockets, so take only the amount of money you need and keep it in a safe place.

Marche Soumbedioune

a popular evening fish market. There is also a "Village Artisanal" nearby selling handmade jewellery, wooden decoration elements and many other handicrafts. Be prepared to bargain.

Daily 08:00-19:00

Monument du Millénaire

A monument about looking to the future along the corniche, so more great views.

Musée Civilisations noires

Focus on African civilization and culture, the Nubian way of life. May need a little French understanding to comprehend the placards. Nice rotunda building.

Tue-Sun 10:00-19:00