Dakar Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
capital and the largest city of Senegal
About Dakar
Dakar lies on the end of the Cap Verte peninsula, which is the westernmost point of the African mainland. The Senegalese are very proud of their reputation for "teranga", or hospitality. Locals are extremely friendly and helpful, but as you would anywhere else, watch out for scams andpickpockets. Petty crime here is relatively high, so be cautious. The peninsula was settled by the Lebou people, closely related to the Wolof people, when the Portuguese first reached it in 1444. The original villages: Ouakam, Ngor, Yoff and Hann, still constitute distinctively Lebou neighbourhoods of the city today. The Portuguese were repulsed by the locals at first (the first Portuguese ships were slave-raiders), but peaceful contact was made in 1456. The bay was an important stop for the Portuguese India a
Top Attractions in Dakar
Explore the best things to see and do in Dakar:
- ★African Renaissance Monument
- ★Birdwatching
- ★Dakar Cathedral
- ★Dakar Grand Mosque
- ★Grand National Theater of Dakar
- ★Hann Park and Zoo
- ★IFAN Museum of African Arts
- ★Ile de Goree
Where to Eat in Dakar
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Ali Baba
- 🍴Artisan Boulanger Eric Kayser
- 🍴Bidew
- 🍴Café de Rome
- 🍴Chez Elias
- 🍴Chez Loutcha
Where to Stay in Dakar
- 🏨Auberge Kingz Plaza
- 🏨Auberge Poulagou
- 🏨Chez Eric
- 🏨Hôtel du Phare Les Mamelles
- 🏨Hotel Farid
- 🏨Hotel Oceanic
Dakar Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 13 sections including: