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District · Dakar

Ouakam and Mamelles

The hill with the African Renaissance Monument and the twin lighthouses; on the way to Ngor.

see

Key facts

Suits
The monument and the views
Sights here
3
Eats here
1

What it's like

Feels:
Beach-side, breezy and resort-like; bars, restaurants and surfers
Suits:
The monument and the views
Best time:
Afternoon to late
Watch out for:
Expecting a walkable city; every outing is a car.
In short:
The hill with the African Renaissance Monument and the twin lighthouses; on the way to Ngor.

About these names

Addresses work by landmark and neighbourhood more than by street number: give your driver the district and a nearby landmark.

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.

Where exactly

This district is highlighted. Shapes follow this guide's walking areas and places, not official boundaries.

Ouakam and Mamelles on the Dakar mapTap an area for what it is like and who it suits. Shapes follow this guide’s walking areas and places, not official boundaries.
Ngor and the Almadies: Beach evenings, seafood, longer staysThe Plateau · $$$

Ouakam and Mamelles

see

The hill with the African Renaissance Monument and the twin lighthouses; on the way to Ngor.

Suits: The monument and the views

On the map: Ngor Island, African Renaissance Monument, Pointe des Almadies

District guideWalk: Ngor and the AlmadiesIn the districts table

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.

Stay here?

Not a base in this guide

No sleep area here has scores. The best-placed bases are Plateau, Ngor and the Almadies.

See

Opening hours and prices from each place page; (check) means typical hours, not yet verified.

  • Ngor IslandGo

    A short pirogue ride from Ngor beach to a small car-free island: sand lanes, painted houses, a beach and simple seafood; go for a slow half day, not a rushed hour.

    Hours:
    Pirogues run from early morning to about dusk; confirm the last return.(check)
    Entry:
    XOF 1,000–2,500 (2026 estimate)
  • African Renaissance MonumentGo

    A 49 m bronze statue on a hill in Ouakam, unveiled in 2010: go for the view and the scale, 45–75 minutes, on the way between the Plateau and Ngor; the walk to the top is hot, so go early or late.

    Hours:
    Desk estimate: daytime; confirm.(check)
    Entry:
    XOF 2,000–5,000 (2026 estimate)
  • Pointe des Almadies

    The westernmost point of mainland Africa: a rocky headland with a sign and a view; skip unless you are already on the Almadies road, and go at sunset if you do.

    Hours:
    Open air; access to nearby clubs varies.(check)
    Entry:
    Free

Eat

What to order and what locals pay, from each eat page. Prices are estimates; check the menu.

  • Seafood terraces, Ngor beach

    Grilled fish, prawns and lobster on a sand-floor terrace facing Ngor island: the Almadies lunch or sunset dinner; book a table for weekend evenings and confirm prices first.

    Price: A simple grilled fish costs XOF 4,000–6,000.

Drink and nightlife

Lines from the Dakar drinking guide that name this district.

  • Almadies and Ngor bars · Beach bars, lounges, restaurants · until Late on weekendsThe main expat and visitor strip; go by booked car.
  • Ouakam and Mermoz · Clubs, live-music bars · until Very late on weekendsMbalax and live music; go with a local contact or a booked driver.
  • Beer and grills · Gazelle or Flag beer with grilled fish or dibi · until Late on weekends · XOF 1,000–2,000 a beerAlmadies, Ngor, Medina

Getting there and around

Where to get off

  • Ngor beach pirogue landing (near the Ngor village end of the beach road) · for Ngor Island
  • Ouakam hill road; taxi or hired car to the entrance · for African Renaissance Monument
  • Almadies point road, taxi to the end · for Pointe des Almadies
  • Ngor beach terraces, facing the island · 3 min walk to Seafood terraces, Ngor beach

On to the next area

From other sleep areas

  • From Ngor and the Almadies: 3–6 min walk to Ngor and the Almadies

Minutes are this guide’s typical walking and ride times (p50–p90); traffic and heat stretch them.

Walking loop

A loop that starts and ends at the same place, through this district's sights and eats. Pick a length; download it for Organic Maps, OsmAnd or Google Earth.

About 112 min in all: 57 min on foot, the rest at the stops. 3 stops, back to where you started.

123
  1. Ngor IslandStart here · stop about 30 min
  2. Seafood terraces, Ngor beach3 min walk (estimate) · stop about 15 min (snack, or note it for later)
  3. Pointe des Almadies28 min walk (estimate) · stop about 10 min
  4. Back to Ngor Island: 26 min walk (estimate)

Walking minutes come from this guide’s route graph where it has one; “estimate” means straight-line distance plus a quarter for street detours at an easy pace. Opening hours are not checked: look at “Open now” below before you set off.

Photo and sunset spots

Safety at night and noise

  • Ngor and the Almadiesday: oknight: caution

    Beach roads are dark at night; book a car for the return.

Nearby districts

Built from this guide’s Dakar districts table, place, eat and sleep pages, route graph and city notes. Hours, prices and rules change: anything marked (check) is typical, not verified. checked: 2026-09.