Place · Gorée Island
House of Slaves, GoréeMaison des Esclaves
Go early on a Gorée morning: a memorial house on the island tied to the Atlantic slave trade; 30–60 minutes, quiet and heavy.
Key facts
- Time on site
- 45–60 min
- p95 90 min
- Price
- XOF 1,000–2,000
- adult, 2026 estimate
- Hours
- unknown
- see note below
- Best time
- early on a Gorée morning
- quietest window
- 28″ bags
- No
- Gorée Island: forbidden
- Getting there
- Main lane near the island's centre
- Atlantic trade memorial
- Island morning
- Quiet and heavy
- Go early on a Gorée morning
- Hard in a wheelchair
Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.
Rules in force · 11Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…Broken pavements and heavy traffic
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Senegal ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Senegalese government sources before booking.
- Senegal ↗Dress modestly in towns and at religious sites: shoulders and knees covered.
- Senegal ↗Check your government's advice before travelling to parts of the Casamance region in the south.
- Dakar and Cap-Vert ↗Traffic is heavy at rush hours; build a buffer for every road leg and the airport.
- Dakar ↗Broken pavements and heavy traffic: large suitcases go from the car to the door, never on a walk.
- Dakar ↗Blaise Diagne airport is about 45 km from central Dakar: pre-book the ride, agree the fare first, and decline drivers who approach you inside the hall.
- Dakar ↗Dress modestly in the city and at religious sites: shoulders and knees covered; beachwear stays on the beach.
Map & directions
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Plan
Open now, what it costs, what to know, how long it takes
Go now?
hours and prices: check on the day- Open
- Hours unknown
- Crowds
Go early on a Gorée morning
MonTueWedThuFriSatSunQuietest Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun · busiest Fri, Sat · desk estimate
- Tickets
- Adult: XOF 1,000–2,000 (2026 estimate)
- Time to spend
- 45–60 min · up to 90 min if you linger
Know before you go
- Take the early ferry: the island is quiet before 10:00 and the light is kinder.Take the early ferry: the island is quiet before 10:00 AM and the light is kinder.
- Buy the ferry ticket at the ticket window, not from touts at the quay.
- Historians debate how many people were held in the house and how central it was to the trade; the museum tells one story and the wider records tell others.
- Sand and cobbles: closed shoes, water, a hat.
- Confirm the last boat back before you leave the quay.
Weather here, next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Time on site
Minimum
30min
Worthwhile
45min
Typical
60min
p95
90min
Opening hours and days not printed until verified; the last boat back is the real limit.
Tickets & entry
- Where to buy
- Buy at the entrance on the day.
- Buy from the official site or the ticket desk; resellers add a fee for the same ticket.
- Dress code
- Modest, quiet clothing.
- Bags & lockers
- Small bags only; the island is on foot.
- Photos
- Ask before photographing; some rooms restrict photos.
- What's closed
- Monday and public holidayscheckConfirm before you cross; the last boat back is the real deadline.
“Check” dates move year to year: confirm on the official page for your date.
| Ticket | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | XOF 1,000–2,000 (2026 estimate) | Check at the door; the ferry fare is separate. |
On the ground
Getting in, crowds, and where to go if it does not work
Getting in
- Stop
- Main lane near the island's centre
- Exit
- —
- Ticket
- on site · official site
- Stairs
- unknown
- Shoes
- Shoes on.
Crowds and switching
- Crowd clock
- Quiet early; tour groups mid-morning.
- Sensory load
- 3/5
- Exposure
- medium
Bailouts
heat
Café terrace on Gorée
Nearest rescue anchor: A — Landing area benches (field-verify)
Step-free check
- Step-free entrance: partly · partly
- Lifts: no · no
- Accessible toilet: no · no
- Wheelchair: no · no
- Stroller: no · nopoor
Sand, cobbles and stairs inside the house; a step-free route is not confirmed.
Combine with
- 5 minTerrace lunch on Gorée · eat
- 8 minGorée Historical Museum
- —Gorée Island
Walk the Gorée Island area · the cluster page has the walking order, rescue stops and after-dark notes
Best photo time today
Sun times for today load in your browser.
Red lines
- Dress modestly and keep your voice low.
- Ask before photographing people.
More on the groundWho it suits · Skip it if · With kids
With kids
- with kids
- A heavy subject; older children only, with an explanation beforehand.
- child price
- check
Who it suits
| Traveler | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| History travellers | good | A defining memorial site of the Atlantic trade. |
| Families with young kids | caution | Heavy subject and sandy lanes. |
Skip it if
- You would arrive after midday with a short boat window.
- Heat and sun would make a slow morning hard.
Deep dive
Questions, what is nearby, photos and sources
Questions and answers
What should I wear?
Modest, comfortable clothes; closed shoes for sand and cobbles.
Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk
Can I go on a day trip only?
Yes; the boat is about 20 minutes each way (check the timetable).
Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk
How long do I need?
About 45 minutes in the house; a Gorée morning is 3–4 hours with the lanes and lunch.
Is it suitable for children?
Use judgement; the subject is heavy and the house is quiet and formal.
Nearby
Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.
Sources
- officialUNESCO — Island of Gorée
- secondaryWikivoyage — Dakar