The 16 best parks and gardens in Dakar

Very small exhibition and only one floor. Second floor seems to be under renovation. Took 10 minutes walking through all. They have but a few artifacts, but very little informative display other than brief description of each item. "Magic bottle from Guinea" for example. And it was quite expensive to enter at 5.000 for foreigners. Would not recommend the detour unless you're in the area.

You can find more (and more interesting) items in an upscale souvenir shop. The exhibition is very small, of limited artistic and/or historical significance and quite expensive (5,000 per person) for what you get. I hope sometime they will invest in acquiring a good collection. Senegal/africa has produced much greater art than this. There were maybe one or two objects that made an impression (photos). Little too no explanation. Sometimes the marketplace pricetag was still on the art.

This museum is a deception. Few pieces, interesting but limited explanations, not well preserved. Another missing opportunity in Senegal

Interesting place with a small collection of musical instruments and traditional dresses and masks.

Although Google map was indicating it as open, it was closed. Front entrance was open and there was no one to provide information. There were staffs sitting around but no one cared to provide any information. There was one art expo inside and we could see that.

A nice display of tribal art from several countries in the west Africa region. It was all in French so I had to use Google translate for English and Spanish. Behind the building is a nice garden with tables and chairs set up. Great place to relax and sit down to read a book or study for a little bit. I did not see a cafe in the building but if you bring your own snacks you can enjoy some peaceful time in the garden. There was a nice sand artist in the garden that did a demonstration of his art. We enjoyed meeting and talking with him for a while. There were also two peacocks walking around the garden. I enjoyed my leisurely time here.

A place to which you must go, because sadly there aren't many places in Dakar to see African culture. The place shows tribal art from several countries of the region, and what they show is ok BUT, I was expecting so much more... there are so many interesting in this part of the world, and this museum is ok, but should show so much more. There is no personnel to do guided tours, so you are left to do the tour on your own, and of course, that is a big loss. The tags are worthless most of the time, stating the obvious, that is, a description of what you can see, which you can see already! But no context, no info on what the piece was used for, etc. That was quite disappointing. There are two floors. There is a proyection room, but no projector... there is a TV which is running the same video again and again showing some national authority speaking at the UN speaking of the need to recover the African art that was shamelessly stolen by the colonialists. I am all for it, but this shouldn't be the one and only video... you can see they don't have resources. It's sad. But well, the things on display are really good, don't miss it.

This place is so worth a visit. There was a lovely vibe all around last Sunday, with lots of people enjoying themselves. The steps are fun, great for photos and the view. People at the top were relaxed and many were buying boxes of popcorn. We decided to go into the statue itself and we're glad that we did. You just stand around listening out for when they will organise the queue for the next tour. When you eventually get to the top, you're actually in the hat of the man in the statue, and have great views all around of the city and the Atlantic Ocean.

Great views, along a common location & parking is available. Plus, there is a canteen that sells snacks & drinks. Four stars because they only had a French guide! Hence some of us missed out on a critical part of history

Not sure why the Google listing gives you options for tickets. Maybe it is for tours, but you can literally walk up the stairs and look around. You do not need a ticket to walk up the stairs, take pictures, so forth and so on.

Impressive and very energetic place. Although the elevator was inoperative and we could not get on top of the sculpture, the sculpture from the outside is enough experience.

Must visit place in Dakar. Grand statue. Was fun with friends. One can go inside the status by paying some entrance fees.

Definitely advise to go to the hat. Fun experience! We waited about 10 minutes to enter. It takes about 30 minutes to go through the museum before you go up into the hat. I recommend bringing change.

Meaningful and historic site. Definitely climb up if you physically can because it's challenging. Take the time to observe the city from the top, best time is around the sunset or after when the temperature is a little cooler.

Come prepared for an deeply emotional journey into Black history, uncovering the roots of the Slave Trade. The guides are very well informed, the island itself is just beautiful. You'll probably make friends with a shopkeeper at the Dakar Port and she'll call you by name when you enter the market. Use that early meet to place your order because you won't have much time to shop if you're part of a big group tour. The food is mediocre, honestly the only negative part of the trip. But the history lesson is well worth it.

A must visit when in Senegal. Just a 30-minute ferry ride from Dakar, Gorée Island offers a deeply moving and unforgettable experience. Rich in history and culture, with beautiful streets lined with colorful, centuries-old buildings. But beyond the beauty lies a powerful story — the island is home to the House of Slaves, one of the most important and heartbreaking reminders of Africa’s past. Visiting it is emotional, eye-opening, and necessary.

An amazing island to visit while in Senegal. There are so much to discover in Gorée, even though it’s a small island. I stayed here for about a week in a hotel called Maison Augustin Ly, which’s hosted by a dude named Modou (a pretty friendly and cool guy). Enjoy your stay/visit in Gorée island!

You CANNOT visit Senegal without going to Île de Gorée. The history of this place will get you so emotional. It’s a beautiful sure and full of magic and memories and history that demonstrates strength

I don't know how some people didn't give this place 5 stars...It is a beautiful island, full of history, made me laugh and made me cry...so many artists, good food, colors, a sad past but that must not be forgotten...We took the first ferry in the morning which is very important, you will get the island to yourself for one or two hours...it gets busy after that...I'd also love to have stayed the night there...

Île de Gorée, located off the coast of Dakar, Senegal, is a place of profound historical significance and natural beauty. Visiting this island was a deeply moving experience, blending solemn history with a picturesque setting. The island is most renowned for its role in the transatlantic slave trade. The Maison des Esclaves (House of Slaves) is a stark reminder of this dark chapter in history. Walking through its narrow corridors and seeing the infamous Door of No Return, where countless enslaved Africans passed before being shipped off to the Americas, was a powerful and emotional experience. The museum provides a poignant and educational journey, emphasizing the importance of remembering and learning from the past. Despite its tragic history, Gorée is also a place of incredible beauty. The island is small, easily walkable, and boasts charming colonial architecture with colorful buildings draped in bougainvillea. The streets are narrow and often cobblestoned, giving a sense of stepping back in time. The peaceful atmosphere is a stark contrast to the bustling city of Dakar, making it a perfect day trip for those looking to escape the city's hustle and bustle. The island offers several small cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy local cuisine while taking in the views of the Atlantic Ocean. The beaches are small but serene, ideal for a relaxing afternoon. Artisans on the island sell a variety of crafts, paintings, and souvenirs, providing an opportunity to take home a piece of Senegalese culture. Climbing to the top of the island provides panoramic views of Dakar and the surrounding sea, making it a favorite spot for photographers. The island's vibrant community and lively atmosphere add to its charm, making it more than just a historical site but also a living, breathing part of Senegalese culture. In conclusion, Île de Gorée is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Senegal. It offers a unique blend of historical education, natural beauty, and cultural richness. The island serves as a powerful reminder of humanity's past while also showcasing the resilience and beauty of Senegalese culture. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or simply looking for a peaceful retreat, Gorée has something to offer.

Fantastic little island where you can wonder the colourful streets and understand the transatlantic slave trade. You can buy souvenirs from very persistent vendors and many places to eat. I highly recommend taking a ferry there and don’t forget your ID! The boat come every hour and is 25mins long journey on an open boat.

Great exhibition and artist’s residence ⭐️⭐️

The artists don't start before 11AM and most of them start later in the day. Don't go early, go around 2-3 pm. We went at 11am, only saw about 6 artists and the gallery. The gallery was pleasant.

I only decided to visit on the spur of the moment, and I'm so glad I did - all the artists made me feel welcome, and were more than happy to invite me into their workshops and take the time to chat about their work. The art exhibited in the gallery is stunning, but the artworks scattered throughout the village are equally as good, equally as thought-provoking. I only planned a short visit, but ended up spending more than half a day there. I'd highly recommend a visit if you happen to be in Dakar with time on your hands.

Watching some of the artists do their work was fantastic 😍. So glad we were able to tour.

Interesting concept, featuring many small local ateliers that you can visit. Rather small and not very well treated.

Sound System Reggae Bashment is an absolute must for music lovers!!!! Great DJs awesome vibez and there's food & drink on the spot Fridays & Sunday nights Get there late stay till sunrise

There are more artist workshops than galleries.

Beautiful mosque, inside and out. However, people inside don't know how to pray. Someone needs to go there to educate and teach. Tarawih there are literally one surah (ikhlas) repeated 3 times. The fastest prayer I've ever seen in my life (took sbout 1 minute).

A strange and beautiful masjid. So welcoming, so open! But the azaan was strange and the salaah was strange. The surrounding fishing community is such a vibe. My sister and I were there for a maghreb salaah.

Beautiful colorful mosque, but to be honest the best part for me was the beach and little fishing port right next to it! No tourists at all, the beach is small with super clear water, very peaceful. Only fishermen at work!

Public areas, public beach. Great place to exercise, extensive stairways, long-running stretches by the main road, open beach front, do your runs, swim, stretch at your own place. Plus there is a Chinese restaurant incase you need a bite.

One of the most beautiful places in Dakar. There’s a quaint fishing village surrounding the mosque. Steps lead up to the Corniche above where swarms of people work out in the evenings. The mosque itself is a stunning piece of architecture. Near the beach is peaceful and idyllic.

Facing the Atlantic Ocean, the Mosque of the Divinity which was built in 1997 is a stunning piece of architecture as well as beautiful religious building. If you are intending on visiting, you will need to be dressed appropriately - even to get close to the mosque. I was wearing shorts, so that was not possible. But I still could appreciate the structure and it’s minarets from outside of the grounds.

Beautiful and impressive mosque accessible by cab along Corniche West road and down the bridge to beach / seaside. It is also worth stopping at the top of the road to see it from above and take beautiful shots as it is facing the ocean. There is a fish market down to the beach and locals enjoying different sports by the beach @ sunset.

It’s been a while since I visited this beach 🏖 but it’s good place to eat fresh fish 🐠 and sit enjoy

This beach could be so beautiful.. Unfortunately it's full of plastic trash, both on the beach and in the water. There's so much trash that you literally swim in it. The food along the beach is pretty good. Lots of people about running, playing football and exercising which is nice. And the local fishermen of course 🙂

Lala Beach restaurant. Good food, music 🎶 R&B, good service.

Top

Nice place

Excellent service

Best ever

Hung out in the botanical garden area for a casual meeting. Its a very relaxed location, but it was a bit of a problem finding a proper restroom to pee. Didn't also help that my French was terrible.

(Translated by Google) Actually a nice green place with great trees, marshland and lots of birds. Good routing for a 5 km tour. There is also a small lake that invites you to linger. Unfortunately there is a lot of rubbish left behind by visitors, therefore only 3* (Original) Eigentlich ein schönes grünes Plätzchen mit tollem Baumbestand,Sumpfgebiet und vielen Vögeln. Gute Wegeführung für 5 km Rundgang.Auch ein kleiner See lädt zum Verweilen ein. Leider sehr viel Müll,der von den Besuchern zurückgelassen wird,deshalb nur 3*

(Translated by Google) A quiet place in incredible nature . Pure oxygen and finally the sound of birds that lulls you. (Original) Un endroit calme dans 1 nature incroyable . De l'oxygène pure et enfin le bruit des oiseaux qui vous berce.

(Translated by Google) I'm not a fan of zoos because I hate animals in captivity but there they are seriously lacking in space. It's a shame I have the feeling that there are a lot of wasted, unmaintained spaces, men will be accountable to the creator for the way they treat animals, it looks more like a prison for animals , the poor. FYI these animals are not made to live in cages with tiled floors. Monkeys climb trees and lions need wide open spaces. Too bad the park is quite pretty even if it lacks maintenance, trash cans are unfortunately part of the landscape in Senegal. (Original) Je ne suis pas fan de zoos car je déteste les animaux en captivité mais là ils manquent cruellement d'espace. C'est dommage j'ai le sentiment qu'il y a beaucoup d'espaces perdus, non entretenus, les hommes auront des comptes à rendre avec le créateur sur la façon dont ils traitent les animaux, ça ressemble plus à une prison pour animaux, les pauvres. Pour info ces animaux ne sont pas faits pour vivre dans des cages avec du carrelage. Les singes grimpent aux arbres et les lions ont besoin de grands espaces . Dommage le parc est assez joli même si manque d'entretien, les poubelles font malheureusement partie du paysage au Sénégal.

(Translated by Google) If you want to escape into nature, go there preferably very early in the morning. The guards are empathetic and very welcoming... you can walk, get some fresh air and hear the birds chirping ♥️ a very beautiful experience! (Original) Si vous avez envie de vous évader dans la nature allez y de préférence le matin très tot. Les gardes sont empathiques et tres accueillants … vous pourrez marcher prendre l’air et entendre les oiseaux gazouiller ♥️ une très belle expérience !

(Translated by Google) In 2018 it was possible to take a canoe trip. The lake was beautiful. To see if it's still relevant... (Original) En 2018 il était possible de faire une balade en pirogue. Le lac était magnifique. A voir si c'est toujours d'actualité...

(Translated by Google) It's really my whole childhood enjoying the warm atmosphere (Original) C'est vraiment toute mon enfance ve profite de l'ambiance chaleureuse

Very small zoo but the park for walk is sufficiently big. Condition ain't that great. The staff are very nice and sweet.

The Parc was created, with the intention of conserving plants and animals . Surprisingly The lions were so big I thought they were not real until I observed it closely to be breathing. The had not so much animals for the current space there at the moment . The pythons was also something to look at. The ostrichs were magnificent to see too... The Parc is family friendly and I think it's a place to visit regardless. #anisdaughter

Everytime I am back at the park, I wonder why I haven’t come back earlier… one of the few places in Dakar that offer green sceneries, tranquility and the ability to have a walk. Kids can run without bigger concerns. Sadly there is still some trash lying around, but otherwise this should be a weekend regular!

Ideal for a day with friends, school activities, picnic or family! You have lots of options available for games. Most of them require you to pay before playing. You can also go there to do your sport. The place is accessible by bus or other means of transport

It's okay I guess.. for a zoo in Africa. I mean if you'd want to see the wildlife then it's better to go on an African Safari. But the 500 XOF entrance is almost free, so can't complain really.

A feel for fresh air, tranquility, and excellent green space to enjoy. I highly recommend visiting the ZOO at Park Hann under its new administration managed by #Luka_Animal_Rescue_Senegal

The zoo was closed although they did not tell us anything at the reception. The careless condition in which is kept is humiliating. There were families that went from far just be disappointed as it says "Open" in Google maps but in reality it wasn't and sincerely I would not go back. Looks more like a zoo in Chernobyl.

This is a huge market with many different stalls and stores. I've been to several markets and this one was probably the most difficult to manage. I'm used to people following me and asking questions, but after a while they usually let me be. This time I was followed the entire time by two separate men, despite saying I was just looking and wasn't interested. I had two friends with me and the two men even followed us for a while after we left the areas of the market. It was too frustrating of an experience. I'd still recommend checking it out, perhaps I got unlucky.

Commenting on the market including all the surroundings roads and buildings. Every road is for a particular product, for example Rue Abdou Karim Bourgi is for curtains, whereby you can get different types of curtains which can be stiched at your required length and height, and delivered at your place by the next day at latest. So basically you can get absolutely EVERYTHING you can think of there, just you need to know in which road the shops are located. You can google search before arriving there so as to save you time and energy. Also it is recommended to be there around 10am and to leave there by 3pm due to heavy traffic. Parking is almost impossible to find so better go by taxi/Yango etc. For foreigners, if ever you are having difficulty finding a particular product, better enter a shop and ask the employees/shop owners than asking anyone on the road. Because some people will harass you to take you to different shops of their choice and ask you for money. As soon as they approach you better tell them that you don't need them and to leave you alone. Prices are usually not displayed and you will have to bargain for almost everything. So better have an idea about the prices of different things you need so as to have some bargaining powers. The places are usually very crowded and some areas are very dirty.

Just avoid it, worst market experience we’ve ever had. We were harassed by two guys who insisted to guide us and wouldn’t accept a no for an answer. When we firmly stood up to ask them to leave us alone because we just wanted to have a walk by ourselves, they started shouting at us and forced us to exit the market. Unbelievable. Save yourself the horrible experience, there are so many great places in Dakar to enjoy yourself.

If you’re up for a very crowded and big market, this might be your place! I really didn’t like the VERY intrusive sellers, following you for quite a long time.

Accessible, cool

Good market! You really see a lot of sénégalaise items

Nice if you want to be a Senegalese atmosphere

Pretty from the outside, arrived before 10 pm but it seemed close. Walked around the fence.

The Grand Mosque of Dakar seemed to be closed when I was there, so I didn't get the chance to go inside. It was quite lively, but outside, there were dozens of beggars and homeless people.

Horrendous surroundings full of dirty aggressive thuggish men. I wanted to just see it from afar (and noticed there were MEN tourists wearing shorts within the confines of the gates, but because I was visibly foreign and a woman some dirty thugs did not let me take pictures from outside the gates. Disgusting behavior.

A big mosque, with a North african style in Dakar, for me it has a lot of Moroccan architectural aspects. Like all mosques you can't enter if you are not a Muslim, but still merits a visit

For tourists: not worth seeing. Can’t judge from a religious perspective.

5 stars, it's the biggest mosque i've ever went to and on top it is very peaceful, focus is very easy when praying 🙏🏾

Great mosque design 🙏🙏🙏👍👍👍🇲🇦🇲🇦🇲🇦🇲🇦🇲🇦

All fun, though some of the activities are scary.

I came here with a 9 year old, 11 year old, and a older teenager on a Tuesday morning. We came when it opened because I wanted to avoid the lines. But lucky me, there were no lines at all, we were the only ones there for the first hour. I am glad we went early because the sun was already hot and if we had to stand in line, that would have been uncomfortable. They have some shaded areas, but not where the rides are. Be careful, the rides can be very hot because the sun makes the seat super hot. So better to wear pants and also sun protection. When you enter, you buy a set of tickets. Each ride will cost different number of tickets. For adults sometimes the rides are 4 tickets and the kids are 2 tickets. But this is different for every ride. The place was clean, but I did not see the bathrooms. They do not accept credit cards. We had a fun time. It is good to spend about 3 hours here.

Great place to have fun but really needs to update its attraction as its very basic. Some attractions are not even opened and the place needs a decent clean up!

My 3yo enjoyed it. Not many activities for those under 2. Although my daughter did spend some time in the bouncy castle (which need to be cleaned more often because they were VERY dusty). The machines could use an upgrade (the squeaking made me very neevous ha!). Staff was nice. There weren’t many people there when we went so we couldn’t go on certain rides because they were waiting for a certain number of children to join. Which is absurd. On slow days, they should definitely make exceptions.

This place is so great. It's a place to bring your family or your sweet love It is open till late night with fewer people however weekends is really full ....full and fun

In weekends, it’s crowded. I would prefer to go on Friday. They have a big swimming pool, which is good.

Magic Land, indeed a magic Land for the kids. Definitely has enough games to entertain the kids and adults for Instance. What I dislike is when there are no prizes available for kids do not let them get on the games, YOU must have enough prize for each game be be honest since it is the main reason we take our family members there

ALERT: As of 2025, there are thugs in the entrance of the market that pressure tourists to pay them for a tour. I told them I did not want a tour and they forced me out of the market in a very aggressive way. They followed me for 200 meters to make sure I could not enter without a tour.

You go to place for Senagelese memorabilia....however you need to have your negotiation game in top form as some traders exaggerate prices for foreigners

Very busy area, crowded always, anyway people do they business silently. Poorly organized case in case.

This Market has a lot to offer. While you go through its lanes, admiring products and listening to many vendors trying to convince you to purchase their products, be mindful of your belongings as there are also some "bad eggs". Oh, and have your haggling game on!!!

Good job

All in one place!

This place is just awesome. I used to go here often with friends. You always find whatever you need. Humm very great place but something it might be boring because sellers don't let you walk on your pace. They always want to sell you whatever they have in their hands. I mean it still a great place to shop.

Something about the Corniche never changes—the breeze, the sound of the waves crashing, the endless horizon. It still gives you that familiar, nostalgic feeling. But at the same time, there's a quiet sadness in how much has changed around it. I remember when beaches along the Corniche were so easy to access. You could just walk down with friends, no barriers, no fences, just the ocean waiting for you. Now, with so many new constructions, walls, and private developments, it feels like the sea is being slowly taken away from the people. What was once a shared treasure feels like it's becoming reserved for a privileged few. That openness, that simplicity—it’s hard to find now. The Corniche still holds its charm, but the feeling isn’t quite the same. It's a reminder that while some things stay the same, others change in ways that make you long for what once was.

Lovely place to have fun, with a nice view of the sunrise 🌅. You can buy foods ,drinks and so many good things

Superb

The customer service was really nice and fast and the food just incredible

Nice area for open air

Found good food at NORDIC food truck

Good Quality

I was just watching some children riding the horses. Within 5 minutes I saw a young girl get bucked off. Then another. Then 2 horses started running out of control. That staff seemed helpless to get the horses calmed down. Seemed quite dangerous to me.

good

Cool

(Translated by Google) Great walk through the Park! The kids loved it! The instructors were reassuring and attentive. I highly recommend! (Original) Super ballade à travers le Parc! Les enfants ont adoré! Les moniteurs étaient rassurants et à leur l'écoute. Je recommande fortement!

(Translated by Google) I really liked the visit, we visited and saw all the horses that were there and it was free, they are really very nice those who work there but, we went there in the middle of the week, we could not see the races in the Program it distributed, I highly recommend it to you (Original) J’ai beaucoup aimé la visite, on a visité et vu tous les chevaux qui y étaient et c’était gratuit vraiment ils sont très agréables ceux qui travaillent là-bas mais ,on y était allé en pleine semaine, on a pas pu voir les courses au Programme il répartir, je vous le recommande fortement

(Translated by Google) Equestrian club and horse riding school for children There are very beautiful horses in the barn of different types There are dwarf horses for kids and there are big horses for racing barriers The club staff is very nice You can rent horses for children for half an hour, you can spend outside the club in the garden and in front of the lake (Original) Club équestre et une école pour monter des chevaux pour les enfants Il y a de très beaux chevaux dans la grange de différents types Il y a des chevaux nains pour les enfants et il y a de grands chevaux pour les barrières de course Le personnel du club est très gentil Vous pouvez louer des chevaux pour les enfants pendant une demi-heure, vous pouvez passer à l'extérieur du club dans le jardin et en face du lac

(Translated by Google) A pleasant setting and welcoming staff (Original) Un cadre agréable et un personnel accueillant

(Translated by Google) A beautiful place! The Atlantic Ocean, its changing colors throughout the day and according to the seasons, its marine scents, the freshness and the feeling of well-being... Dakar is truly an ocean city! (Original) Un bel endroit ! L'ocean Atlantique, ses couleurs changeantes tout au long de la journée et selon les saisons, ses effluves marines, la fraicheur et le sentiment de bien-être... Dakar est rééllement une ville océane !

(Translated by Google) Neat, tree-lined alleys and streets. The cherry on top: a beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean! (Original) Allées et rues bordées d'arbres bien propres . Cerises sur le gâteau : une belle ouverture sur l'océan atlantique !

(Translated by Google) The view of the Atlantic is magnificent (Original) La vue sur l'Atlantique est magnifique

(Translated by Google) It's very beautiful. An ideal place to walk and also do sports for free. (Original) C’est très beau. Un endroit idéal pour se balader et aussi faire du sport gratuitement.

(Translated by Google) Dienn lacquer in Wolof i.e. cooked poison (Original) Du laque Dienn en Wolof c’est à dire poison cuit

(Translated by Google) I've always been there (Original) J'ai toujours été là

(Translated by Google) I like the place (Original) J'aime bien l'endroit