Thies 3-Day Itinerary

A day-by-day plan for Thies: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.

Day 1

Arrive & Explore the Highlights

Morning
Marché de Thiès

The main market — chaotic, noisy, full of life. Good for watching traders, buying street food, or picking up fabrics and spices for next to nothing.

🕐 Daily 7am–7pm

Free entry

💡 Bring small change and a reusable bag. Don't buy at the first stall — prices drop as you go deeper in.

Hotels near Marché de Thiès →
Afternoon
Monument aux Morts

A modest stone war memorial from the French colonial period, set in a small square. It's a quiet spot with a bit of local history and some shade.

🕐 Exterior always accessible

Free entry

💡 Combine with a walk down Avenue de la République just behind — the old administrative buildings are worth a look.

Hotels near Monument aux Morts →
Evening
Where to eat

Chez moi · ££

Le Massa Massa · ££

Day 2

Deeper Into Thies

Morning
Grande Mosquée de Thiès

A striking white mosque with tall minarets, visible from much of the city. Non-Muslims can walk the exterior grounds and admire the architecture.

🕐 Exterior accessible 24/7; interior open to Muslims only

💡 Go late afternoon when the light softens and the call to prayer echoes — fewer people around, better photos.

Midday
Jardin de la Gare

A small public garden next to the old railway station. Benches, shade trees, and a calm escape from the market bustle.

🕐 Open daily, dawn to dusk

💡 Sit near the station side — trains still pass occasionally and you get a glimpse of colonial-era rail architecture.

Evening
Dining tonight

Big Faim

Delices

Day 3

Final Favourites & Departure

Morning
Centre Artisanal de Thiès

A collection of workshops where local craftspeople make leather goods, wood carvings, and woven textiles. Free to wander and watch the work.

💡 Buying direct from the artisan can halve the price compared to market stalls. Polite haggling is expected.

Final meal

Ô Péché Mignon

Chicken House

Getting Around Thies

Petit Train de Banlieue (suburban train) From 1000 FCFA 90 min

Only runs a few times daily, so plan ahead. From Thies station, take a shared taxi (500 FCFA) or walk 20 minutes to Massa Massa. Buy ticket in cash at the station—no online booking.

Dakar Dem Dikk bus to Thies From 1500 FCFA 120 min

Catch the direct bus from Petersen station in Dakar, not the one from Mbao—it stops everywhere. Get off at Thies Gare Routière, then a 15-minute walk or 1500 FCFA taxi to Massa Massa.

Sept-place (shared taxi) to Thies From 2500 FCFA 90 min

The sept-place (Peugeot 504) is faster than the bus. Wait until you have 7 passengers to avoid extra charges. Ask the driver to stop at 'Pencil'—it's 500 FCFA taxi ride to the hotel.

Airport taxi to Massa Massa From 25000 FCFA 75 min

Agree the price before you get in. Look for yellow taxis with a red stripe—official airport cabs are safer. Pay in cash, small notes only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 3 days enough for Thies?

Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Marché de Thiès 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 Thies?

See our full best time to visit Thies 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 villa DIALLO, Croissant Magique, Alimamy. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.