Museum of Black Civilisations
A large modern museum in a round building near the city centre, presenting the history, arts and cultures of Africa and its diaspora. Its displays range from ancient objects to contemporary work.
Dakar
Both capital and main gateway, this vibrant city has the African Renaissance Monument, surf beaches, live music and busy markets.
Attractive locations
African Renaissance Monument
A huge bronze statue of a man, woman and child on a hilltop over the city, among the tallest statues in Africa. Visitors can climb to its viewing level for wide views.
Pointe des Almadies
The westernmost point of mainland Africa, where waves crash against black rocks. Surf spots, beach clubs and seafood restaurants line the surrounding coast.
IFAN Museum of African Arts
A museum in the city centre with masks, statues, textiles and everyday objects from across West Africa. It is among the oldest and most respected collections of its kind in the region.
Madeleine Islands National Park
A small group of uninhabited rocky islets just off the coast, protected for their seabirds and their rare vegetation. Visits are made by boat, usually with a guide, and offer a break from the city.
Lake Retba
A shallow lake northeast of Dakar whose water often turns pink from algae that thrive in its salt. Workers collect salt by hand, and dunes along the shore separate it from the Atlantic.
Dakar Grand Mosque
Dakar's main mosque, a large white building with a tall minaret, built in the 1960s in a Moroccan-inspired style. It stands in the Medina district and is respectfully visited from outside.
Airports
Blaise Diagne International Airport DSS
It is about 39 km in a straight line from Dakar.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Senegal page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan21.9 °C11 mm
- Feb20.5 °C8 mm
- Mar20.5 °C3 mm
- Apr20.6 °C6 mm
- May22.2 °C2 mm
- Jun24.9 °C14 mm
- Jul26.6 °C79 mm
- Aug27.3 °C191 mm
- Sep27.8 °C170 mm
- Oct28.2 °C49 mm
- Nov26.9 °C9 mm
- Dec24.3 °C13 mm
Driest months: Mar, Apr, May. Wettest months: Jul, Aug, Sep.
Costs
Prices here are about 36% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
sport
Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026
Africa has never before hosted an Olympic event. Expect hotels to fill and prices to climb, so plan early.
Official siteWho can help
Emergency
Reported numbers: police 17, ambulance 1515, fire 18 - confirm with your hotel.
local government
Police Secours 17 (Ministry of the Interior)
Helps with: The Interior Ministry's site lists 17 as the police emergency number and a toll-free line 800 00 20 20. It does not mention a tourist police unit.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Senegal, including visitors, who needs the police urgently.
Phone: 17
Email: contact@interieur.gouv.sn
Address: Place Washington, Dakar 4002, Sénégal
local government
Sapeurs-Pompiers 18 (fire brigade)
Helps with: The fire brigade's emergency number, listed as 18 on the Interior Ministry's site, which also lists the toll-free line 800 00 20 20.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Senegal, including visitors, who needs the fire brigade urgently.
Phone: 18
local government
Agence Sénégalaise de Promotion Touristique (ASPT)
Helps with: Senegal's tourism promotion agency, working under the ministry in charge of tourism. It markets the country as a destination and lists a Dakar office, phone and email for enquiries.
Who qualifies: Anyone planning a trip to Senegal. It is a promotion agency, not an emergency service.
Phone: +221 33 869 61 90
Email: contact@aspt.sn
Address: VDN, Annex Fund Social Security, Building ASPT
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Senegal
Helps with: The UN migration agency. In Senegal it works on trafficking, assisted voluntary return and reintegration, labour migration and migrant health.
Who qualifies: Migrants, including returnees and child trafficking victims. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +221 33 869 75 30
Email: COdakar@iom.int
Address: Route des Almadies, Zone 3, Dakar, Senegal