48 hours in Dakar: an itinerary for visitors passing through

In 48 hours in Dakar you can see the essentials if you group days by zone: on day one, the centre (Plateau, markets, museum) and dinner in town; on day two, Gorée or the Corniche in the morning, then lunch and a moment of art in Point E, before a last coffee. This itinerary is designed for a traveller passing through, on a mission or at a conference, with little free time.

Before you go: three simple rules

• Do not plan too much. Dakar traffic is heavy at rush hour: two or three visits per half day are enough.
• Group by neighbourhood. A pointless crossing of town often costs more than an hour.
• Book ahead what matters: a lunch, a coffee ceremony, a boat to Gorée in high season.

Day 1: the historic centre and art

Morning: the Plateau. Start with the administrative and historic centre: the streets of the Plateau, Place de l'Indépendance, the busy markets, the facades of the old colonial town. Sandaga Market is one of the best known, but it is dense and best visited without a large bag. Walk, but mind the heat in the middle of the day.

Midday: a quick lunch. Take a break in a restaurant nearby. A fataya or a plate of rice with fish does the job very well.

Afternoon: the Museum of Black Civilisations, to understand African and diaspora civilisations within a long history. Check hours and closing days before you go.

Evening: dinner in Point E. The neighbourhood is calm and central. At ge'eza, dinner is served until 10pm Tuesday to Sunday: a beyaynetu to share, a meat dish such as doro wot or tibs, and an Ethiopian macchiato to finish. Book for the weekend.

Day 2: the sea, then a cultural moment

Morning: Gorée Island or the Corniche. Gorée Island is one of Senegal's best-known places of memory. You reach it by boat from Dakar's port, and the excursion usually takes half a day; check ferry times. If your time is short, the Corniche offers a walk beside the ocean with the African Renaissance Monument as a landmark.

Midday: lunch at ge'eza. From Tuesday to Friday, the Senegalese dish of the day is 5,500 F with a drink and attaya: mafé on Tuesday, thieboudienne on Wednesday, supou kanja on Thursday, chicken yassa on Friday. For vegetarian, choose the beyaynetu. The house is open 8am to 10pm, closed on Mondays.

Afternoon: art and coffee. Look at the works shown in the villa's living room and other rooms, by artists from East and West Africa, with an opening for each new hang. Then treat yourself to an Ethiopian coffee ceremony: about 45 minutes, booked in advance. It is a good moment to catch your breath before the airport or the next meeting.

Adapting to your situation

• If you arrive on a Monday, remember that ge'eza is closed that day and some museums are too. Check closing days.
• If you travel alone, the Ethiopian breakfast, from 8am to 11am, is a good way to start the day.
• If you are accompanying a delegation, see our guide to hosting a delegation in Dakar.
• If you have a little more time, add a day to explore other neighbourhoods or contemporary art.

Practical tips

• Arrange a driver or a taxi you know for getting around, and agree the fare before you get in.
• Keep local currency for small purchases.
• Stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun.
• Message the ge'eza team on WhatsApp at +221 78 660 07 07 to book a meal or a coffee ceremony.

To book online, use the reservation page.

If you have a few extra hours

A third day lets you widen the picture. You could devote a morning to an artist's studio or the Village des Arts, a day to the peninsula's beaches, or a longer excursion, arranged with a driver you trust. If you have visited before, change the angle: residential neighbourhoods, the evening music scene, specialised markets.

Conversely, if you have only half a day, keep just one thing: lunch and a coffee in Point E, with a tour of the gallery, to taste Dakar without wearing yourself out in transit. It is a simple format for a professional setting.

What to pack

For two days in Dakar: light, breathable clothes, a hat, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, a small water bottle and something to cover shoulders and knees for religious or more traditional places. Keep important documents on you, in a closed bag, and some small change for minor purchases.