Districts · Dakar
Dakar by district
Dakar is a long peninsula. The Plateau (offices, museums, the port and the Gorée ferry) is at the south end; Sandaga and the Medina sit just north; the Corniche runs along the west shore; the Almadies and Ngor are 30–45 minutes' drive north-west. The airport is far to the east.
About these names
Addresses work by landmark and neighbourhood more than by street number: give your driver the district and a nearby landmark.
- PlateauseesleepSuits: A first morning of sights; short stays with bagsColonial-era centre, museums, government buildings and the Gorée ferry quay; quiet in the evening.3 sights · 2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Sandaga and MedinaseeeatSuits: Markets, street food, mosquesCrowded and loud; the market district and the old African quarter, best by day and by car.1 sights · 2 eatsDistrict guide →
- Gorée IslandseeSuits: A half-day trip by ferryCar-free island with the House of Slaves and small museums; go early.2 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Ngor and the AlmadiessleepeatseeSuits: Beach evenings, seafood, longer staysBreezy, resort-like, with beaches, surf and a pirogue to Ngor island; a car ride from everything else.3 sights · 1 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Ouakam and MamellesseeSuits: The monument and the viewsThe hill with the African Renaissance Monument and the twin lighthouses; on the way to Ngor.3 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Yoffskip as a baseSuits: A local beach dayA traditional Lebou village near the old airport, with a lively beach; useful if you have a local host.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Pikine and Guédiawayeskip as a baseSuits: Local lifeVast outer suburbs; not set up for sightseeing.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) (60–100 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Yoff, Pikine and Guédiawaye. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Plateau: Colonial-era centre, museums, government buildings and the Gorée ferry quay; quiet in the evening. Suits: A first morning of sights; short stays with bags. Price band $$$.
- Sandaga and Medina: Crowded and loud; the market district and the old African quarter, best by day and by car. Suits: Markets, street food, mosques.
- Gorée Island: Car-free island with the House of Slaves and small museums; go early. Suits: A half-day trip by ferry.
- Ngor and the Almadies: Breezy, resort-like, with beaches, surf and a pirogue to Ngor island; a car ride from everything else. Suits: Beach evenings, seafood, longer stays. Price band $$$.
- Ouakam and Mamelles: The hill with the African Renaissance Monument and the twin lighthouses; on the way to Ngor. Suits: The monument and the views.
- Yoff: A traditional Lebou village near the old airport, with a lively beach; useful if you have a local host. Suits: A local beach day.
- Pikine and Guédiawaye: Vast outer suburbs; not set up for sightseeing. Suits: Local life.
- Sleep area Ngor and the Almadies: suits Beach evenings, seafood, longer stays, price band $$$.
- Sleep area The Plateau: suits A first morning of sights; short stays with bags, price band $$$.
- Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS), 60–100 min by the usual route.