In Dakar—West Africa’s ocean-facing capital—rhythms from sabar drums mingle with the Atlantic breeze. The city’s story stretches from precolonial Senegambia through French rule to a confident, creative present led by artists, surfers, and chefs. You’ll feel “teranga,” Senegal’s famed hospitality, in markets, music clubs, and family-run restaurants serving ceebu jën, the national dish.

Across the bay lies Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves the memory of the Atlantic slave trade. On the city’s rim, the African Renaissance Monument rises above volcanic cliffs, while the Museum of Black Civilizations and IFAN museum showcase pan‑African heritage. Day trips reveal dune-backed beaches, the cotton-candy waters of Pink Lake (Lac Rose), and the Bandia Reserve’s giraffes and rhinos.

Practical notes: Most visitors don’t need a visa for short stays (verify for your passport), and the currency is West African CFA. French and Wolof are widely spoken. Traffic is real—plan buffer time between sights and for airport transfers. Dry season (roughly November–May) brings sunny days and surf; rainy season (June–October) is greener and humid with short downpours.

Dakar

Dakar is a peninsula of neighborhoods: government-era architecture in Plateau, café culture in Point E, seaside promenades on the Corniche, and beachy Almadies and Ngor where surfers paddle out at dawn. Street vendors fry golden pastels, drummers warm up for neighborhood dances, and fishermen guide pirogues past rocky capes.

• Don’t miss: Gorée Island’s House of Slaves, the African Renaissance Monument, the Museum of Black Civilizations, IFAN Museum, Mosque of the Divinity, Soumbédioune fish market, Ngor Island, and the coastal Corniche.
• Dining highlights: thieboudienne (ceebu jën), poulet yassa, mafé peanut stew, bissap hibiscus juice, and thiakry millet pudding. Seafood is stellar—think grilled thiof and prawns by the water.
• Where to stay: Base in Plateau for history and museums, or Almadies/Ngor for surf-friendly beaches and nightlife.

Browse stays on VRBO Dakar or compare hotels on Hotels.com Dakar. For flights into DSS (Blaise Diagne International), check Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. The airport is ~45–90 minutes from central Dakar depending on traffic; expect around 15,000–25,000 CFA ($25–40) by taxi or ride-hailing.

Day 1: Arrival, Corniche Views, and Sunset at the Monument

Afternoon: Land at DSS, transfer to your hotel in Plateau or Almadies, and settle in. If you’re peckish, a quick bite of pastels (tuna fritters) and bissap juice from a nearby kiosk hits the spot. Stroll the seaside Corniche to shake off jet lag—the basalt cliffs and Atlantic spray set Dakar’s tone.

Evening: Head to the African Renaissance Monument near Les Mamelles for golden-hour views over the peninsula. If time allows, pop into the monument’s small museum and the elevator to the crown for panoramas. Dinner options: - Le Lagon 1 (Plateau): classic seafood on a pier, order grilled thiof with garlic butter and a side of alloco (fried plantain). - La Calebasse (Almadies): a gallery-restaurant with live kora and a menu of yassa, mafé, and fresh fish; the space doubles as an artisan showcase. - Terrou‑Bi La Terrasse: relaxed resort vibe, good sushi and prawns by the water. Nightcap at the hotel or along the Corniche under the lighthouse beam.

Day 2: Gorée Island and the Soul of the City

Morning: Ferry to Gorée Island (about 20 minutes each way; round-trip tickets for visitors are roughly 5,500–6,000 CFA). Wander pastel alleys, climb to the Castel for ocean views, and visit the House of Slaves and its Door of No Return. For a guided, time-efficient day that also covers Dakar highlights, book: Explore Dakar and Gorée Island full day.

Afternoon: Lunch in a shaded Gorée courtyard—look for hearty ceebu jën or grilled dorade. Back in Dakar, swing by Independence Square and the old railway station for colonial-era architecture, then browse Marché Kermel’s produce pyramids and spice stalls.

Evening: Dinner near Plateau: try poulet yassa at a local canteen or seafood brochettes along the marina. For music, check listings at cultural centers around Plateau and Point E—Dakar’s live scene leans jazz, mbalax, and acoustic sets.

Day 3: Museums, Lighthouse Vistas, and Ngor Island

Morning: Coffee and croissants at Eric Kayser (Plateau or Almadies). Explore the Museum of Black Civilizations—a sweeping look at African art, cosmology, textiles, and contemporary installations (allow 1.5–2 hours). Next, the IFAN Museum (Théodore Monod) focuses on West African masks, instruments, and ethnography.

Afternoon: Aim for Les Mamelles. Join a guided walk that pairs the lighthouse’s cliff-top views with a hop to Ngor: Mamelles Lighthouse and Ngor Island (Walking Tour).

Afterward, take the pirogue to Ngor Island (5 minutes; small fee). Swim on the calm inner beach, then follow the path to the wilder outer shore where surfers ride Ngor Right, one of West Africa’s classic waves.

Evening: Dinner on Ngor or back in Almadies: - Le N’Gor: sandy-floor casual spot with grilled fish, yassa, and cold Gazelle beers. - La Calebasse if you missed it Day 1. Finish with a rooftop drink near the lighthouse—ocean breeze, distant drumming, starry sky.

Day 4: Pink Lake and Bandia Reserve Safari

Morning: Day trip northeast to Pink Lake (Lac Rose) where the algae-bloom shimmer can tint waters cotton-candy pink, especially in dry, sunny conditions. Learn about salt harvesting from local workers and, if you wish, ride a 4x4 over dunes to the ocean. To combine logistics seamlessly with wildlife, book: Pink lake with Bandia reserve. Minimum 2 people for reservation.

Afternoon: Continue to Bandia Reserve (about 1.5–2 hours from Dakar). On a guided game drive, look for giraffes, zebras, antelopes, buffalos, ostriches, and a rhino or two among baobabs. Entry and 4x4 hire are typically bundled on tours; independent visits require on-site vehicle/guide fees.

Evening: Return to Dakar (~1.5 hours depending on traffic). Treat yourself to dinner at Terrou‑Bi or a relaxed neighborhood grill—try thiéboudienne rouge with tamarind-chili relish. Early night recommended.

Day 5: Art, Markets, and a Street Food Safari

Morning: Espresso and a sable cookie at a Plateau café, then head to the Village des Arts near the airport road—open studios where painters, sculptors, and photographers chat about their work. Pick up portable pieces or sketchbooks.

Afternoon: Fabric hunt at Marché HLM: wax prints (wax hollandais), bazin, and custom-tailor shops. Continue to Soumbédioune artisanal market for wood carvings, calabash art, and woven baskets. Time your visit near sunset to also peek at the adjacent fish market where pirogues unload the day’s catch.

Evening: Savor Dakar like a local on a guided tasting: Senegalese Street Food Tour in Dakar.

Expect pastels with spicy onion relish, yassa chicken, dibi lamb, attiéké cassava couscous, and sweet thiakry—plus stories behind the recipes. If you prefer a sit-down dinner, try grilled prawns and thiouraye-spiced desserts along the Almadies strip.

Day 6: Coastal Escape to La Somone and Saly

Morning: Drive ~1.5–2 hours south to La Somone Lagoon, a tranquil estuary protected by mangroves. Hire a pirogue for birdwatching—kingfishers, herons, and sometimes flamingos—then wade onto a sandbank where the lagoon meets the sea.

Afternoon: Lunch on the beach—look for grilled capitaine with lime and garlic, plus yassa onions. Continue to nearby Saly for a swim or resort day-pass pools. If you’re keen on crafts, stop at roadside stalls for woven baskets and beaded jewelry on the return.

Evening: Back in Dakar, dinner picks: - Seafood braai stands near Soumbédioune—choose your fish and they’ll grill it to order. - Plateau brasserie staples for steak-frites and Senegalese classics. Nightlife concentrates in Almadies; expect DJ sets and Afrobeat until late.

Day 7: Surf, Brunch, Last Looks—and Departure

Morning: Optional surf lesson at Yoff Virage or an early swim off Ngor’s inner beach. Brunch with café touba or cappuccinos and a pain au chocolat at a neighborhood bakery.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping: pick up woven fans, leather sandals, or baobab powder at Kermel or an artisan village. Pack up and allow ample time for the airport run (45–90 minutes depending on traffic). For your next trip, save your favorite restaurants and tailor contacts—you’ll want to come back.

Evening: Flights typically depart late-day or overnight. If your schedule allows, a final stroll on the Corniche and a bissap to-go provide the perfect farewell.

Where to Stay (Quick Picks)

• Plateau: Ideal for museums and history; walk to Independence Square, Kermel, and the ferry port. Browse Hotels.com Dakar or VRBO Dakar.
• Almadies/Ngor: Beach time, sunset bars, quick access to surfing and the lighthouse.
• Mermoz/Point E: Central, residential, good cafés and easy Corniche access.

Getting In and Around

• Flights: Compare fares and schedules on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. DSS is ~50 km from central Dakar.
• Local transport: Taxis and ride-hailing are plentiful; agree on fares beforehand if not using an app. For Gorée, use the official ferry at the port. For day trips, a driver or organized tour is most efficient.
• Costs (est.): Taxi DSS–Plateau or Almadies $25–40; Gorée ferry $9–10; museum entries $3–9; day tours $60–150+ depending on inclusions.

Optional add-ons if you have extra time: a half-day focused city tour of Dakar’s markets and mosques; drumming or dance class; cooking workshop for ceebu jën; sunset horseback ride on Yoff beach.

Included Viator activities in this itinerary:

• Explore Dakar and Gorée Island full day
• Mamelles Lighthouse and Ngor Island (Walking Tour)
• Pink lake with Bandia reserve
• Senegalese Street Food Tour in Dakar

Seven days in Dakar carry you from Gorée’s reflective silence to the laughter of beach grills and the thrill of a Bandia safari. With art, cuisine, and ocean air stitched through every day, this Senegal travel guide balances depth and ease—leaving you with a playlist of memories and a solid reason to return.