DakarCapital
Senegal · Country profile
Dakar is the capital of Senegal, the westernmost city of the African continent, a frenetic, friendly, musical metropolis on the peninsula of the Cape Verde where the Atlantic coast, the island of the Goree and the lively neighbourhoods of the everyday come together. The city is the cultural capital of the region, the home of the mbalax, the wrestling, the great fashion and the celebrated film and music scenes that have made Senegal famous, and its markets, its museums, its beaches and its tree-lined avenues of the colonial era give it a deep, animated life. The island of the Goree, the short ferry ride from the city, carries the sombre memory of the slave trade, and the great mosque, the cathedral and the city of the general carry the modern story. Hot, loud and full of the African joy, Dakar is the essential city of the west.
About Dakar
Dakar is the capital of Senegal. The city's documented population is around 1,147,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF) and French is spoken; the dialling code is +221. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Blaise Diagne International Airport.
The Peninsula of the Cape Verde, the Markets and the Music
Dakar is a dense, lively, musical city on the western tip of the continent, where the everyday life of the markets and the streets is the real attraction. The colonial centre, the great mosque, the markets and the seaside districts give the city its circuit, and the short ferry to the island of the Goree adds the deep history. The city is hot, chaotic and fabulously friendly, and the taxis, the car rapides and the walking fill in the rest. It is a genuinely African capital, far removed from the resort world, and its energy, its music and its famous teranga, the warm welcome of the country, carry the whole experience.
The Dry Season, the Franc and the Ferry of the Goree
The best season is the dry and the cooler months from November to June, with the wet season of the summer bringing the hot, humid spells. The markets, the mosque, the museums and the island of the Goree are the essential circuit, and the ferry of the island runs through the day. The west African CFA franc is the currency, the French is the language with the Wolof spoken by everyone, and the cash is the practical way in the markets while the cards work in the hotels and the malls. The city is safe in its main areas with the care of any big city at night, and the famous teranga of the Senegalese welcome is everywhere you go.
The Sandaga, the Teranga and the Rhythm of the Mbalax
The island of the Goree, the short ferry from the port, is the deep historic stop of the city, and its colonial lanes, its museum of the slave house and its quiet, car-free calm stand in the most complete contrast to the noise of the mainland. The markets of the city, from the huge Sandaga market of the centre to the craft market of the Soumbedioune with its boats and its tailors, are the sensory heart of the everyday. The beach of the Ngor and the islands of the coast just beyond the city hold the swimming and the weekend life, and the nightlife of the city, the concerts and the clubs of the mbalax, is among the most celebrated of the continent. The whole city moves to the rhythm of its famous music.
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- Country
- Senegal
- Population
- 1,147,000
- Coordinates
- 14.6700, -17.0733
- Capital
- Dakar
- Region
- Africa
- Currency
- West African CFA franc (XOF)
- Languages
- French
- Calling code
- +221
- Country code
- SN
Entry requirements for Senegal
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Senegal for tourism.
Getting to Dakar
Airports we list for Dakar:
Frequently asked questions
Is Dakar the capital of Senegal?
Yes — Dakar is the capital of Senegal.
What currency do I need in Dakar?
The local currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF). Languages spoken in Senegal include French.
What is the dialling code for Senegal?
The international dialling code for Senegal is +221.
Which airport should I fly into for Dakar?
Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) is the airport we list for Dakar.
Do I need a visa to visit Senegal?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Morocco currently enter Senegal visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Dakar? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.