What to do, area by area
In the south-east, the city of memory. The Plateau is best explored on foot, ideally in the morning: Place de l’Indépendance, Kermel Market under its covered hall, the cathedral, then the museums. The Théodore Monod Museum of African Art and the Museum of Black Civilisations, the newer of the two, complement each other well: one for the historical collections, the other for the grand story of the continent. For the feel of the markets, see our page on Dakar’s iconic markets. From the jetty, the ferry leaves for Gorée Island and its House of Slaves (Maison des Esclaves): it is the most booked outing in the capital, and it is all the better with a guided tour.
In the centre, the living city. The Médina, with the Great Mosque, its tailors’ workshops and its street food, is best experienced with someone who grew up there. This is the territory of neighbourhood walks, Senegalese cooking workshops and dance or drumming classes. On the south coast, Soumbédioune beach sees the pirogues come in late in the afternoon, and the craft village next door brings together sculptors and jewellers; further east, Anse Bernard offers a patch of beach right in the centre. For some greenery, the Hann Forest and Zoological Park gives families room to breathe.
In the west, the city of the ocean. The Corniche Ouest is made for running, cycling or driving with the windows down. It leads to the Mosque of the Divinity, the African Renaissance Monument and the Mamelles Lighthouse, whose view takes in the whole peninsula. Offshore, the Madeleine Islands National Park can be visited on an organised trip. At the Almadies and Ngor, it is time for surfing (the peninsula’s waves work all year round, on one side or the other depending on the swell), sea fishing, boat trips and the crossing to Ngor Island, a few minutes by pirogue from Ngor beach.
2026, the year Dakar changes pace
The TER to the airport. Since Monday 28 September 2026, phase 2 of the Regional Express Train has extended the line from Diamniadio to Blaise Diagne International Airport, adding 19 kilometres. You can now reach Dakar station from AIBD in just under an hour, without relying on the motorway. For travellers this is a real change: arrivals and departures no longer depend on the traffic. All the practical details are in our article on the TER now serving Blaise Diagne airport.
The Youth Olympic Games. From 31 October to 13 November 2026, Dakar hosts the first Olympic event ever held in Africa, shared with Diamniadio and Saly. In the city, several events take place at the Iba Mar Diop complex, the Tour de l’Œuf and on the Corniche Ouest. During that fortnight, expect a city in festive mood, but also altered traffic and accommodation in high demand: book your activities early and favour the train and walkable areas.
The Biennale. The 16th edition of the Biennale of Contemporary African Art (Dak’Art, the Dakar Biennale) also takes place in 2026; when it is in full swing, galleries, “off” venues and studios open their doors all over the city.
When to go
| November to February | Dry season and the mildest period; the harmattan can bring dust; the main swell season for surfing |
| March to June | Still dry, pleasant wind and air on the coast, the heat building towards the end of the period |
| July to October | The rainy season (hivernage): humid heat, sometimes violent downpours, a greener city and fewer visitors |
| Late October – mid-November 2026 | Youth Olympic Games: a unique atmosphere, logistics to plan ahead |
Within the day, two time slots are worth their weight in gold: early morning, before the heat and the traffic, for walking tours and surfing; and late afternoon, when the Corniche fills up and the sun sets over the Almadies. Early on Friday afternoon, the hour of the main weekly prayer slows the city down: a good moment for an activity on the water. To plan around it, our page on prayer times in Dakar can help.
Getting there and getting around
From Blaise Diagne airport there are two options: the TER, now direct to the centre, or the toll motorway, an hour or more depending on the time of day. For a door-to-door transfer, the airport / Dakar category brings together the bookable offers. In town, agree the taxi fare before you get in, ride-hailing apps spare you the haggling, and the BRT, the rapid bus on its own dedicated lane, crosses the city from the centre to the suburbs. For the Plateau, the Médina and the Corniche, walking is still the best way to see things.
Practical tips
Keep small notes: taxis, markets, the ferry and tips are often paid in cash. Only swim at authorised, supervised beaches: the Atlantic around the peninsula is powerful, and swimming is banned along several stretches; Ngor and Yoff offer the safest options, while the Almadies are best kept for sunsets. At the Gorée jetty and around the sites, politely turn down the services offered on the spot: a tour booked in advance spares you the negotiation. Cover up to enter mosques, bring a hat and water on the Corniche, and keep an eye on your phone in crowds. For a ready-made plan, our ideal three-day Dakar itinerary sets it all out day by day.
Nearby
The city has its getaways close at hand, each with its own page: Gorée opposite the port, Lac Rose (Pink Lake) to the north-east for dunes and salt, Rufisque and Diamniadio on the airport road, Toubab Dialaw and its cliffs further south. For the bigger picture of the metropolitan area, from the suburbs to the region’s escapes, see the Dakar Region page.
Book an activity in Dakar with QFS
Dakar is the best-stocked place on the site. To discover the city, see the guided cultural tours and the island excursions (Gorée, Ngor, Madeleine). On the ocean side, there are surf lessons & camps, boat trips (sunset, islands & sport fishing), sport fishing and diving & snorkelling. To get hands-on with the culture, try Senegalese cooking classes, drumming workshops, African dance classes, crafts & traditional skills and Senegalese wrestling. And to unwind, traditional massage and the whole wellness & relaxation range. You pay 20% to secure your booking (the booking fee), and the balance is paid on site, on the day. Official fees, such as the Gorée ferry and tax or a museum ticket, are payable on site and not included in the price. If you live in Senegal, you get the resident rate: up to 30% off depending on the activity.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need to discover Dakar?
Three days let you see the essentials if you group your visits by area: the Plateau and Gorée, then the Corniche, the Mamelles, the Almadies and Ngor, plus a hands-on activity such as a workshop or a surf session. A resident can take on one area per weekend.
How do you get from the airport to central Dakar?
Since 28 September 2026, the TER has linked Blaise Diagne airport to Dakar station in just under an hour (some trains require a change at Diamniadio). By road, allow an hour or more depending on traffic; a transfer booked in advance remains the simplest option with luggage.
Are the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games held in the city?
Yes: the Youth Olympic Games take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026, across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly. In Dakar, several events are scheduled at the Iba Mar Diop complex, the Tour de l’Œuf and on the Corniche Ouest; plan ahead for traffic and bookings.
Where can you swim in Dakar?
At authorised, supervised beaches, notably at Ngor and Yoff, or on Ngor Island. Swimming is not recommended at the Almadies or along several stretches of coast classed as dangerous: follow the signs and the lifeguards’ instructions.
Are there fees to pay on top of the activities?
For most activities in the city, there are no additional official fees. Some outings involve official fees, payable on site and not included in the price: the ferry and tax for Gorée, and entry to museums or the Madeleine Islands National Park.
What is the difference between this page and the Dakar Region page?
This page covers the city itself, its districts and what you can do there, from the Plateau to Yoff. The Dakar Region page covers the whole metropolitan area, the suburbs and the getaways around the capital, such as Lac Rose or Toubab Dialaw.
