Connecting African Culture Through the Seas
The Amazing Journey of Bill Pinkney Imagine leaving your life and the familiar touch of soil beneath your feet to sail across treacherous seas around the globe with only a …
With its hot sandy streets, whitewashed mosques and bright flashes of color, Dakar beats to a different drum than other West African capitals. Spread out over the rocky Cap-Vert peninsula, the year-round breeze carries the complex sound of mbalax music and the smell of piping hot street food. At any given moment thousands of Dakarois are heading to the city’s famed beaches for open-air workout sessions, while women fry fish and plantains by the roadside. Fishermen haul in their catch in the shadow of sleek shopping malls, while men dressed in silky boubous stop for prayers and hawkers sell peanuts and wood carvings on every corner.
Some of the top attractions in the city include the Medina, with its imposing Grande Mosquee, bustling and bountiful markets such as Marché Kermel and Marché des HLM, the Village des Arts Complex, and the excellent Museum Theodore Monod. Visitors will also have a hard time missing the gigantic Le Monument de la Renaissance Africaine, former President Abdoulaye Wade’s legacy, and the tallest bronze statue in the world.
For a break from the city’s manic energy, visitors can head to L’Institut Francais, a relaxing enclave of trees, gardens, and quiet cafes in the city center, or spend a day at the nearby beach in Yoff. The offshore islands of Ngor, Goree and La Madeleine all have swimmable beaches as well, and Goree is also an important historical site which played a role in the slave trade. Further outside the city, you’ll find stunning cliffs at Toubab Dialaw and even more incredible beaches as you head south into the Petite Côte.
Dakar is one of the best places for nightlife in west Africa. Travelers will enjoy heading to Thoissane, the nightclub owned by legendary Senegalese musician Yossou N’Dour — a perfect spot for dancing the night away. The city also offers plenty of great dining spots and specializes in fresh seafood dishes. When it comes time to lay your head, leisure travelers have a large selection of resort and luxury hotels to choose from, with many of them overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
SAFETY: Pickpocketing and other petty crime in Dakar is relatively high. Be mindful of your whereabouts at all times, especially if walking the streets after dark. Be cautious at the airport with your bags and around ATMs, as scammers have been known to be prevalent here.
The Amazing Journey of Bill Pinkney Imagine leaving your life and the familiar touch of soil beneath your feet to sail across treacherous seas around the globe with only a …
I moved to Dakar, Senegal’s seaside capital, in 2010, enchanted by stories of mbalax music, gentle breezes infused with the scent of incense, and colorful architecture. But something else won …