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Sunrise

Dakar Sunrise: Golden Light at the Mosque

Start early to catch the sun rising over the Moroccan-inspired architecture of Dakar’s most iconic landmark.

Best time: sunriseAbout 90 min

Timeline

  1. 06:53

    Les batons ("BANT-YII")

    Grab a quick bite of meat skewers with corn epise from Niger at Les batons ("BANT-YII"). It is a mythical local spot for good meat, and the food is very tasty.

  2. 07:23

    Dakar Grand Mosque

    Walk to the Dakar Grand Mosque. Built in 1964 by French and Moroccan architects, it shares strong similarities with the Grand Mosque in Casablanca. Arrive just before sunrise to secure a good viewing spot.

  3. 07:38

    Dakar Grand Mosque

    Watch the sunrise. On 15 January, the sun rises at 07:38 and golden light begins around 18:29. The sun sets toward the WSW, casting a warm glow on the mosque’s distinct Moroccan influence.

  4. 08:08

    Les batons ("BANT-YII")

    Head back to Les batons ("BANT-YII") for a proper breakfast or coffee. The mythical place is open and ready to serve after the early morning ritual.

Local tip

The walk between the mosque and the food spot is short and easy. Check the route if you need specific directions.

Check before you go

  • Sunrise on 15 January is at 07:38 local time.
  • Golden light starts about 18:29.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Dakar (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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