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Dakar (/ d ɑː ˈ k ɑːr, d æ-/ UK also: / ˈ d æ k ɑːr /; French:; Wolof: Ndakaaru) is the capital and largest city of Senegal. The department of Dakar has a population of 1,182,417, and the population of the Dakar metropolitan area is estimated at 3.9 million in 2023.
Jun 29, 2024 · Dakar, Senegal. Dakar, city, capital of Senegal, and one of the chief seaports on the western African coast. It is located midway between the mouths of the Gambia and Sénégal rivers on the southeastern side of the Cape Verde Peninsula, close to Africa’s most westerly point.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Dakar, Senegal. At the westernmost point of the African continent, Dakar stands as a multicultural, diverse city full of vibrant arts and traditions. Residents from various ethnic groups present assorted crafts, foods, jewelry, fabrics and wood and metal goods at bustling markets such as Marche Sandaga or Marche HLM.
- Visit Gorée Island. A 20-minute ferry ride from the city, Gorée is a beautiful island with a harrowing history surrounding the Atlantic slave trade. Like many other islands in West Africa, Gorée was used to imprison slaves from the 15th to the 19th century before they were sent to North America.
- Ngor Island. Dakar’s other island, Ngor, sits just across from Ngor Beach (it takes just five minutes to travel to it from the mainland – check out my how to get to Ngor Island post here).
- Museum of Black Civilisations. The Museum of Black Civilisations is a vast museum documenting all you need to know about past and present African culture and customs.
- SCUBA diving. Dakar as a SCUBA diving destination – who would have thought it? Nautilus Diving Center offers fun dives and SCUBA courses around Ngor Island and Soumbédioune.
- Île de N'Gor. For a quick escape from the frenetic streets of Dakar, head to peaceful Île de N'Gor, a tiny island just off Dakar's north shore. It has a few calm…
- Musée Théodore Monod. The is one of Senegal's best museums. Exhibitions delve into African art and culture with over 9000 objects on display. Lively displays of masks and…
- African Renaissance Monument. Allegedly Africa's highest statue, the African Renaissance Monument was unveiled in 2010 to commemorate Senegal's 50 years of independence from France.
- Mamelles Lighthouse. A photogenic 1864 lighthouse graces the top of one of Dakar's few hills. It's worth making leisurely 20-minute walk, with sweeping views across the city…
Things to Do in Dakar, Senegal: See Tripadvisor's 29,704 traveler reviews and photos of Dakar tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in July. We have reviews of the best places to see in Dakar.
Dakar is the capital and largest city of Senegal and is often regarded as the cultural and commercial center of French-speaking West Africa. The metropolitan area is home to about 3.3 million people.
