Top Things to Do in Dakar, Senegal

There are lots of amazing things to do in Dakar, as well as the surrounding areas. Dakar is a beautiful blend of cultures with French influence and an African blaze; situated on the shore, there are many ways to enjoy the city. In this post, we share with you the ten best things to do in Dakar.

10 Best Things To Do In Dakar

1. Pink Lake

Dakar is one of the few places in the world with a pink lake. Remarkable, right?

Retba Lake is one of the top tourist attractions in Dakar, Senegal. The lake is off the shore, about 30 minutes from the city. It is vast, and there are many various ways that you can enjoy it. The lake has restaurants, hotels, and many water events, as well as ATVs and rentals to tour the surrounding.

2. Visit an Infinity Pool

Surfer Paradise is a minibar, restaurant, and surf camp in Almadies. They have private cabanas, great food, and a local infinity pool facing the ocean. Also, Dakar can get very hot, so many unique swimming places exist. 

3. Shop at a Local Market

There are lots of excellent markets in Dakar. The craft market has locally made goods. It is lively and enticing, just like the local people. Walk around and support small businesses while associating with the hospitable people of Dakar.

4. Wonder at the Mosque of Divinity

The Grand Mosque in Dakar was opened in 2019 and is the biggest in Western Africa! The Grand Mosque was built for 25 billion CAF (USD 41 million), mainly from financial donations. It is magnificent on the inside out.

5. Explore the Petite Côte

Surrounding 70 kilometers of preserved, golden shoreline between the Sine-Saloum Delta and the Cap-Vert Peninsula, the Petite Côte is dotted with unique seaside villages. Treat in style on the beach at Popenguine, go oyster hunting on the lagoon in Somone, kick back in the elegant resort of Saly and wander the old town of Toubab Diallo. 

6. Try Out The Local Seafood

Trying out the local seafood is one of the best things in Dakar. There are lots of ming restaurants built on the water. The most reviewed is Huitres de Sokone; you can find it next to the craft market of Almadies on the right. 

7. Visit the African Renaissance Monument

The massive sculpture pictures a man and woman carrying their baby. This is extremely important to the African continent because it displays the triumph of African liberation from ignorance, racism, and hate. The bronze monument ascends 49 meters high and is situated on “Collines des Mamelles,” the peak of one of the twin hills. Explore the long set of stairs with your foot and experience the power of the African Renaissance Monument.

8. Sail to Ile de Goree 

The island of Goree has an unfortunate history, but it is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Dakar, Senegal. Goree Island is home to the famous “house of slaves” museum. This is where you can learn about the history of the island and the slave trading that happened there. The island now houses talented artists, colorful buildings, and local craft markets. It is a famous day trip for families to swim in turquoise waters.

9. Take a Ride to Ngor Island

Ngor island is another ideal day trip from Dakar. Ngor Island is the perfect place for beach lovers, as one part has waves for surfers, and one part is a calm bay to relax in. Only 400 meters from land, you can get to this island by a short ferry ride. 

10. Ease into Local Senegalese Fair

With Dakar’s most extensive shoreline, restaurants are loaded with various captivating delicacies of the Atlantic, with the national fish, thiof. Even so, you can only explore the whole of Dakar by seeing three dishes everywhere. Thieboudienne means “fish and rice” in the local Wolof language. Second, Yassa is a sauce made of onions, garlic, and lemons, to decorate chicken and fish, and also it is served in a sandwich. Finally, Mafé is a moist peanut butter-filled sauce typically made in a curry with beef, chicken, or pork.