Gorée Island
The slave-trade memorial island.
SenegalIShowSpeed streamed here
Dakar
The westernmost tip of Africa — a surf-and-music capital on a peninsula, facing the slave-trade island of Gorée.
- Metro population
- 4,000,000
- Country
- Senegal
- Region
- Africa
Overview
Why visit Dakar
Dakar is Africa's westernmost city — a peninsula capital that points into the Atlantic, where the 49-metre African Renaissance Monument (taller than the Statue of Liberty) watches over surf breaks and fishing beaches.
Twenty minutes offshore lies Gorée Island — the pastel colonial island that became a UNESCO memorial to the Atlantic slave trade, visited by Mandela and Obama. The city's own heart is the Marché Sandaga chaos and the mbalax music clubs that made Youssou N'Dour a global star.
Speed's 2025 Africa tour streamed from Dakar to Senegalese crowds — the country's teranga (hospitality) is famous across the continent.
Things to do
Top things to book in Dakar
Popular tours and tickets. Compare prices and book ahead to skip the lines.
City & Monument
Renaissance Monument, markets, mosque.
Pink Lake Day
Lake Retba's rosy water.
Mbalax Night
Live Senegalese music with locals.
Plan your trip
Compare prices for Dakar
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Fun facts
Things you didn't know about Dakar
- 01
The Western Edge
Cap-Vert peninsula is mainland Africa's westernmost point.
- 02
African Renaissance
The 49m bronze family monument — taller than the Statue of Liberty — crowns a volcanic hill.
- 03
Gorée Island
The House of Slaves' 'Door of No Return' is the Atlantic slave trade's most visited memorial.
- 04
Mbalax
Senegal's drum-driven music — Youssou N'Dour's genre — owns the city's nights.
- 05
Teranga
'Hospitality' is so central to Wolof identity it names the national character.
- 06
The Pink Lake
Lake Retba's salt-heavy water turns pink — an hour north.
- 07
The Fishing City
Colourful pirogues still land fish on city beaches each evening.
- 08
Dakar Rally
The Paris-Dakar rally was named for its finish here — it moved to South America, then Saudi.
- 09
Sandaga
The colonial-era market is one of West Africa's biggest.
- 10
A City Of Sufi
The Mouride and Tidjane brotherhoods shape the city's religious culture — Touba's grand mosque is a pilgrimage.
Random Dakar fact
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FAQ
Quick answers about Dakar
Where is Dakar located?
Dakar is in Senegal, in Africa.
What is the population of Dakar?
The greater Dakar area is home to about 4,000,000 people.
What is Dakar famous for?
Dakar is famous for the westernmost point of Africa, the African Renaissance Monument, Gorée Island and mbalax music.
Did IShowSpeed stream from Dakar?
Yes — IShowSpeed streamed from Dakar on his 2025 Africa tour. See his full world tour map.
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