Best places to visit in Senegal

Senegal's Absolute Essentials

Senegal offers a diverse landscape ranging from the pink, saline waters of Lake Retba to the orange dunes of the Lompoul Desert. This selection features the architectural landmarks of Dakar, including the Grand Mosque and the African Renaissance Monument, alongside UNESCO-listed archaeological sites like the Sine Ngayène stone circles. Visitors can explore West African art at the Théodore Monod Museum or navigate the westernmost point of the continent at the Cap-Vert peninsula.

MyriamLouviot / CC BY-SA 3.0

Lake Retba

Lake Retba, also known as Lac Rose, lies north of the Cap Vert peninsula in Senegal, some 35 km north-east of the capital, Dakar, in…

Sine Ngayène

A UNESCO World Heritage site comprising 52 stone circles and over 1,000 megaliths. These laterite formations date back as far as the 3rd century BC and mark ancient burial grounds and ceremonial sites.

Cercles de pierres de Wanar

Part of the Senegambian stone circles, this archaeological site features unique bifid stones. Excavations reveal complex funerary rites and burials dating between the 11th and 12th centuries.

Manu25 / CC BY-SA 4.0

Our Lady of Victories Cathedral, Dakar

The Our Lady of Victories Cathedral or Cathedral of Dakar, is a religious building that serves as the Catholic cathedral in the city of…

John Atherton / CC BY-SA 2.0

Théodore Monod African Art Museum

The Théodore Monod African Art Museum in Dakar, Senegal is one of the oldest art museums in West Africa.

Erica Kowal / CC BY-SA 2.0

Grand Mosque of Dakar

The Dakar Grand Mosque is one of the most important religious buildings in Dakar, Senegal. It is situated on Allée Pape Gueye Fall.

Oliver Pitzke / CC BY-SA 3.0

African Renaissance Monument

The African Renaissance Monument is a 49 m tall bronze statue located on top of one of the twin hills known as Collines des Mamelles,…

Senegambian stone circles

The Senegambian stone circles lie in The Gambia north of Janjanbureh and in central Senegal.

Moongateclimber / CC BY-SA 3.0

Lompoul desert

The Lompoul desert is a small desert located 145 km south of Saint-Louis, Senegal.

Îles du Saloum Découverte

Information center for exploring the Saloum Delta, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve characterized by mangrove forests, salt flats, and diverse bird species.