What to see and do in the Plateau
The political heart. Place de l’Indépendance is the natural starting point: central garden, traffic circling the square, buildings from the colonial years and the first decades of independence. A few streets further south, Avenue Léopold-Sédar-Senghor leads to the presidential palace, which you admire from the outside: guards are present and, out of discretion, it is best not to photograph the building or the soldiers. Nearby, the National Assembly, on Place Soweto, stands next to the museum.
The museums. The Théodore Monod Museum of African Art, on Place Soweto, is the heir to the former IFAN museum: masks, statuary, bronzes, textiles and adornments from across West Africa, in a colonial building on a human scale. It remains surprisingly little visited: make the most of it. On the edge of the area, on the station square and opposite the Grand Théâtre, the Museum of Black Civilisations tells the great story of the continent and its diasporas; the two complement each other in a single day.
The markets. Kermel, with its round hall and neo-Moorish touches, remains the place for crafts, fabrics, basketwork and fruit and fish stalls; visitor numbers have dropped, which makes it a peaceful market where people take the time to chat. Around the former Sandaga site, the atmosphere is quite different: packed pavements, fabrics, electronics, a cheerful crush. Our page on Dakar’s iconic markets will help you choose.
The sea below. The Corniche Est runs along the coast at the foot of the Plateau, with views over the harbour and Gorée. Below, Anse Bernard offers a small beach right in the centre where swimming is permitted; to the south, the port, the ferry terminal and the ferry to Gorée Island and its House of Slaves (Maison des Esclaves).
When to go
The Plateau can be visited all year round. From November to May, the harmattan and the trade winds make walking pleasant; from July to October, the humid heat and showers suggest keeping your walk to the early morning. On weekdays, the area lives to the rhythm of the offices, from morning to late afternoon: that is the time for atmosphere and markets. On Sundays, you can admire the architecture without cars. During the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), from 31 October to 13 November 2026, expect altered traffic across the whole city: favour the train and walking.
Getting there and getting around
The simplest option is the TER: Dakar station is the end of the line, which since late September 2026 has linked AIBD to the centre in just under an hour. By road, the journey time depends entirely on the hour: avoid arriving at the morning rush hour and leaving in the late afternoon. Once there, everything is done on foot: Place de l’Indépendance, Kermel, the cathedral, the museum and the ferry terminal are all within walking distance of one another. If you are arriving with luggage, see the airport / Dakar transfers.
Practical tips
Keep some cash: the ferry, the markets and museum admissions are rarely paid by card. Near the markets and at the ferry terminal, politely decline self-appointed guides. Dress appropriately to enter the cathedral, and be discreet in front of official buildings. At Anse Bernard, swimming is permitted, but only during the day: follow the times and instructions posted on site.
Nearby
To the north, the Médina and the Great Mosque offer the working-class counterpoint to the Plateau. Opposite, Gorée is reached by ferry from the port. For the whole city, from the Corniche Ouest to the Almadies, see the Dakar page and our ideal three-day itinerary in Dakar; for getaways around the capital, the Dakar Region page.
Book an activity in the Plateau with QFS
Activities in the Plateau are mainly found under guided cultural tours, to read the historic centre with someone who knows it, and island excursions, with Gorée first and foremost. To go further, see crafts & traditional skills. You pay 20% to secure your booking, which is the booking fee, and the balance is paid on site, on the day. Official fees, such as the Gorée ferry and tax or museum admission, 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 long does it take to visit the Plateau?
Half a day is enough for the walking tour: Place de l’Indépendance, Kermel, the cathedral, the palace seen from outside and the station. Allow a full day if you add a museum and the crossing to Gorée.
Can you visit the presidential palace?
No, it is the residence of the head of state: you admire it from the avenue. Avoid photographing the building and the guards.
Can you swim in the Plateau?
Yes, at Anse Bernard, a beach where swimming is permitted, below the area. Swim during the day and follow the times and instructions posted.
Where do you catch the ferry to Gorée?
At the ferry terminal in the port of Dakar, at the foot of the Plateau. Tickets are bought at the counter; it costs 1,500 FCFA return for a Senegalese adult, more for other categories, plus a 500 FCFA municipal tax, payable on site and not included in the price.
Does Sandaga market still exist?
The historic building was demolished in 2021 and its reconstruction is under way; in the meantime, trade carries on in the streets around the site. For a covered hall and crafts, choose Kermel.
