Dakar Things to Do

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The green oasis right in the heart of the business area of Dakar is the Independance Square. Lined with banks, offices and embassies this square commemorates the independance of the country from France in 1956. A large moument in the centre of the square remembers the event.

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A must see when visiting Dakar is a trip to Goree Island. Goree Island is less than four kilometres away from Dakar. It is located in the middle of the natural harbour formed by the south coast of the Cap- Vert Peninsula. It thus represents a safe anchorage. This explains why the island was, since the 15th century and for centuries, a high stake for different European countries which successively used it as stops and slave markets.
In Dutch, the island is called “Goede Reede”. In Wolof, it becomes “Beer”. Now, the island is commonly known as Goree. By the end of the 18th century, Goree was a prosperous crossroad where tradesmen, soldiers as well as officials lived in sumptuous scenery. Yet, it was also then a gateway to hell for thousands of African slaves.

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This monument was built in 2001 and is symbolic of Dakar's past and future. Looking through the door, one can see Gorée Island, representing the colonial past, and the ocean, representing the global future. The sculpture with the horn is welcoming the twenty-first century.

The old African quarter called Le Medina has the Grande Mosque at its heart; this beautiful mosque was built in 1964, and is a landmark in Dakar with its distinct minaret floodlit at night. Non-Muslims aren’t allowed into the premises of the mosque but visitors to the city should visit the medina.

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This is the imposing white home to the President of Senegal, the Palais Presidentiel or the Presidential Palace, built in 1906 amidst beautifully laid out formal gardens. Guards in their Presidential uniforms guard the outside and pose with tourists for pictures.

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We went to know all town by car. Some times we stopped walk a lit bit. There is a lot markets, with funny things. Or catch a boat to Gorée Island.

The best of Dakar is to have a global view. In my opinion there isn’t anything special. Walk in the streets with the Senegalese people... If you have afraid of crowds and confusion don’t go there.

Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noir. An interesting museum with an overview of African art. It's pretty old-fashioned, but that makes it more charming (in my opinion). No English-language explanations when we visited, though (in 2003). There was a temporary exhibition by local artists on the top floor.

France has a colonial past and Nantes, my home town, was one of the main towns from slave trade. When I went to Dakar, I was five and had no historical knowledge. What I saw was just pure absurdity. Remember I asked my dad why there where balls and chains locked on the walls and him explaining me we that was to avoid slaves to leave the island. Felt sad and did not understand how such a beautiful island could be the place of such horror. A must go. To never forget the absurdity and horror of slavery.