Senegal · 2026 itinerary
Dakar 3-Day Itinerary
A day-by-day plan for Dakar: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.
Arrive & Explore the Highlights
A compact museum inside Dakar's main university, housing masks, statues, textiles and ritual objects from across West Africa. Focuses on traditional and contemporary pieces.
🕐 Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00
Free entry💡 Free entry applies to the main exhibition hall only. Check if temporary shows have separate pricing. Allow 45 minutes to an hour.
Hotels near IFAN Museum of African Arts →A working fish market where boats unload the day's catch directly onto the sand. Watch fishermen, buying and bartering in the late morning, then walk past the craft stalls.
🕐 Daily 07:00–13:00
Free entry💡 Arrive by 10am to see the most activity. Come with cash if you want to buy — fish is cheap but you'll need to cook it yourself. Avoid touching anything unless buying.
Hotels near Soumbédioune Fish Market →Restaurant Gastronomique · ££
La Croix du Sud · ££
Deeper Into Dakar
A small sandy island accessed by a five-minute pirogue crossing from the Ngor village beach. Quiet, clean and good for swimming without the crowds of downtown beaches.
🕐 Open 24 hours; boat crossings run daylight hours
💡 The boat costs about 500 CFA round trip. Bring water and snacks — the island has few facilities. Best on weekdays when locals are at work.
A 52-metre bronze statue on a hilltop, visible from most of Dakar. You can walk around the base for free, but access to the interior and observation deck costs a small fee.
🕐 Daily 08:00–19:00
💡 Go late afternoon to avoid the heat and catch sunset views over the city and Atlantic. The escalator up the hill costs extra but saves a steep walk.
Café de Rome
l'Elysée
Final Favourites & Departure
A 30-hectare urban forest with walking trails, a small zoo and a botanical garden. Less polished than some parks but refreshingly green and quiet. Great for a m
💡 Entry is 500 CFA. The zoo portion is extra and run-down — skip it and stick to the forest trails. Bring insect repellent.
Cercle de la Rade
Caesar's
Getting Around Dakar
Use the official prepaid booth just outside arrivals. Ignore touts. Pay in local CFA, not euros. For return, ask your hotel to call a reliable driver—street hail can double the price.
Download Orange Taxi in advance—it shows a fixed price and avoids haggling. Works best on Plateau. At rush hour, be prepared for surge pricing. Not for airport trips because drivers often refuse long hauls.
Hop on going west for Marché Kermel, east for Sandaga. Wave it down clearly. Stops are unmarked—tell the driver 'hôtel' as you near your drop. Women: sit in the front section; men usually fill the back.
Cramped and very hot. Only do this with a small backpack. Have exact change—the conductor won't break notes. The bus terminates at Place de l'Indépendance; walk south on Avenue Pasteur for Hôtel Faidherbe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Dakar?
Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like IFAN Museum of African Arts and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.
What is the best time to visit Dakar?
See our full best time to visit Dakar guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Hôtel de l'Indépendance, Keur Yaa Dikoone, Savana. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.