Itinerary Dakar, Saint-Louis & Saly

December is an excellent time to visit Senegal: the dry season brings sunny weather, low humidity, and comfortable temperatures—ideal for exploring cities and relaxing on the coast.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	1400 USD
🏨 Accommodations	980 USD
🧳 Gear	80 USD
🗺️ On-site	540 USD
Total	3000 USD

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇸🇳 Dakar - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ IFAN Museum of African Arts ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Senegal’s best collection of West African art and masks—great intro to local culture.

• [ ] 🏙️ Plateau District ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Iconic downtown, colonial architecture, vibrant markets—ideal for city strolls.

• [ ] 🛕 Dakar Grand Mosque ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Impressive Islamic architecture, striking prayer hall (modest dress required).

• [ ] 🎨 Village des Arts ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Creative hub for artists—visit studios, see contemporary works, chat with resident artists.

• [ ] 🌳 Parc de Hann ⭐ (~2h)

  • Relaxing botanical garden, local wildlife, easy walks.

• [ ] 🏙️ Medina Neighborhood ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Bustling area, traditional markets, live music—great for atmosphere.

• [ ] 🛕 Cathédrale du Souvenir Africain ⭐ (~1h)

  • Landmark cathedral, beautiful stained glass, local history.

• [ ] 🛕 Marche Kermel ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Vibrant covered market—crafts, fish, flowers, colorful produce.

• [ ] 🛕 Marche Sandaga ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Biggest Dakar market, chaotic & lively—fruits, textiles, souvenirs.

• [ ] 🏙️ Mamelles Lighthouse ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Panoramic views of the ocean & city—sunset is stunning.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Le Viking Bar ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Laid-back, lively music, friendly crowd. Try local beers.

• [ ] 🍸 Just 4 U Club ⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Top live music lounge—Senegalese jazz, mbalax, dance nights.

• [ ] 🍸 Le Patio ⭐ (~2h)

  • Rooftop cocktails—views over the city, chic ambiance.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Chez Loutcha ⭐⭐⭐

  • The place for Thiéboudienne, Senegal’s famed rice & fish dish. ~14 USD/meal.

• [ ] 🍜 La Cabane du Pêcheur ⭐⭐

  • Fresh grilled seafood, sea breeze views. ~18 USD/meal.

• [ ] 🍜 Le Ndiambour ⭐

  • Local cuisine at a good price. ~10 USD/meal.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Liberté 6 Neighborhood (~2h)
  • Daily life, local eateries—less touristy area.

🇸🇳 Gorée Island (day trip from Dakar)

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ Maison des Esclaves ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Powerful history at the former slave house—emotional, informative.

• [ ] 🏙️ Gorée Village Walk ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Quiet, pastel colonial houses, bougainvillea-draped alleys.

• [ ] 🎨 Gorée Artists’ Workshop ⭐ (~1h)

  • Handicrafts & sand paintings.

🍽️ Must-try food spot

• [ ] 🍜 Chez Tonton ⭐⭐
  • Family-run seafood place. ~15 USD/meal.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🌳 Gorée Hill Viewpoint (~0.5h)
  • Best island panoramas.

🇸🇳 Saint-Louis - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ Old Town (Île de Saint-Louis) ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • UNESCO-listed, colonial buildings, lively atmosphere.

• [ ] 🏛️ Faidherbe Bridge ⭐⭐⭐ (~0.5h)

  • Iconic iron bridge connecting island to mainland.

• [ ] 🏙️ Guet Ndar Fishing Quarter ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • See the fleet set off at dawn or return at sunset.

• [ ] 🎨 Galerie Ethiopiques ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Local art in impressive old merchant house.

• [ ] 🌳 Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Amazing for birdwatching: pelicans, flamingos, boat trips. Best in dry season.

• [ ] 🏙️ Sor Neighborhood Markets ⭐ (~1h)

  • Experience vibrant local life.

• [ ] 🛕 Grand Mosque of Saint-Louis ⭐ (~0.5h)

  • Striking white-washed mosque—external visits encouraged.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 La Guinguette ⭐ (~2h)

  • Riverside drinks, Senegalese jazz—super chill.

• [ ] 🍸 Hotel La Résidence Bar ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Historic bar in a former merchant mansion—cocktails & desserts.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 La Crepe Saint-Louisienne ⭐⭐

  • Savory & sweet crepes, casual setting. ~13 USD/meal.

• [ ] 🍜 Chez Dasso ⭐

  • Home-style Senegalese plates, affordable. ~10 USD/meal.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Night canoe trip on Senegal River (~2h)
  • Relaxed evening experience.

🇸🇳 Saly & Petite Côte - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏖️ Saly Beach ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Best stretch of sand on the coast—swimming, sunbathing, water sports.

• [ ] 🌳 Réserve de Bandia ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Guided safari: giraffes, rhinos, buffalo in a beautiful park.

• [ ] 🏙️ Mbour Fish Market ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Largest on the coast—colorful, lively, see the catch come in.

• [ ] 🌳 Somone Lagoon ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Birdlife-rich mangroves, boat trip options.

• [ ] 🏙️ Ngaparou Village ⭐

  • Explore a traditional fishing town.

• [ ] 🌳 Popenguine Natural Reserve ⭐

  • Small clifftop reserve with hiking trails and ocean views.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Le Silk Club ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Stylish cocktails, live music, by the beach.

• [ ] 🍸 Safari Beach Bar ⭐ (~1h)

  • Chill spot for beachside mojitos.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Chez Bouba ⭐⭐

  • Senegal’s best grilled fish, seaside terrace. ~16 USD/meal.

• [ ] 🍜 Le Petit Jardin ⭐

  • Fresh seafood and French cuisine, romantic garden. ~18 USD/meal.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Joal-Fadiouth Shell Island (~2h)
  • Fascinating island made of shells, wooden walkways, unique cemeteries.

🎬 Films & series to watch

🇸🇳 Dakar

• [ ] 🎬 Atlantics (2019) — ⭐ 6.7 — Supernatural romance and migration in Dakar’s suburbs — Netflix
• [ ] 🎬 Félicité (2017) — ⭐ 6.9 — Drama of a nightclub singer in Dakar — Amazon Prime

🇸🇳 Saint-Louis

• [ ] 🎬 Mandabi (1968) — ⭐ 7.0 — Classic of Senegalese cinema, filmed in Saint-Louis — Criterion Channel
• [ ] 📺 Une Saison au Sénégal (2022) — ⭐ 7.5 — Docuseries on daily life in Senegal — Arte

🇸🇳 Saly & Petite Côte

• [ ] 🎬 Le Franc (1994) — ⭐ 7.3 — Light-hearted comedy shot along the Senegalese coast — YouTube

🍜 Local specialties

🇸🇳 Dakar

• [ ] Thiéboudienne (fish & tomato rice)
• [ ] Yassa Poulet (chicken with onion-lemon sauce)
• [ ] Pastels (fish pastries)

🇸🇳 Saint-Louis

• [ ] Saint-Louisienne Bouillabaisse (local fish stew)
• [ ] Flam’duk (grilled mullet with spicy sauce)
• [ ] Lakh (millet porridge)

🇸🇳 Saly & Petite Côte

• [ ] Grilled Capitaines (Nile perch)
• [ ] Dibi (grilled lamb or beef)
• [ ] Bissap juice (hibiscus)

📍 Maps - places to pin

🇸🇳 Dakar

1. IFAN Museum of African Arts
2. Just 4 U Club
3. Marche Kermel
4. Pullman Dakar Teranga Hotel
5. Chez Loutcha

🇸🇳 Gorée Island

1. Maison des Esclaves
2. Gorée Village
3. Gorée Artists’ Workshop
4. Maison Augustin Diamacoune (recommended guesthouse for day rest)
5. Chez Tonton

🇸🇳 Saint-Louis

1. Old Town (Île de Saint-Louis)
2. Hotel La Résidence Bar
3. Sor Market
4. La Résidence Hotel
5. La Crepe Saint-Louisienne

🇸🇳 Saly & Petite Côte

1. Saly Beach
2. Le Silk Club
3. Mbour Fish Market
4. Lamantin Beach Resort & Spa
5. Chez Bouba

✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Dakar (Blaise Diagne International Airport)
• [ ] 🚅 Dakar → Saint-Louis (private shuttle/bus ~4.5h)
• [ ] 🚅 Saint-Louis → Saly (via Dakar, private transfer ~6h)
• [ ] 🚅 Saly → Dakar (airport transfer ~1.5h)
• [ ] ✈️ Dakar → London

🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Dakar	3	Pullman Dakar Teranga Hotel	450 USD
Saint-Louis	2	La Résidence Hotel	220 USD
Saly	2	Lamantin Beach Resort & Spa	310 USD
Total	7		980 USD