8 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Dakar - Atlas Obscura

Unusual Attractions in Dakar

House of Slaves

Despite a fraught and controversial history this African island holds a powerful monument to the tragedy of the slave trade.

The Great Green Wall of Africa

Over 4,700 miles of trees being planted to hold back the desert.

African Renaissance Monument

This giant statue is the product of a mixture of corruption, Stalinist architecture, and North Korean manpower.

IFAN Museum of African Arts

Dakar is home to one of the oldest African art institutions in West Africa.

Cap Manuel's Abandoned Bunker

This abandoned bunker looks out over the Atlantic from its clifftop perch.

Gorée Island

This tiny, tranquil Senegalese island serves as a powerful symbol of the Atlantic slave trade.

Mosque of the Divinity

This unique religious structure is an architectural gem with arresting ocean views.

Henriette Bathily Women's Museum

This Dakar museum exhibits artworks and artifacts honoring the daily lives of Senegalese women.

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Unique Food & Drink in Dakar

Senegalese Nem

Senegal's popular spring rolls tell a story of war, love, and colonialism.

Yete

Senegal's national dish is incomplete without these fermented sea snails.

Dakar Leaderboard

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alexweir19821984 wants to go to Cap Manuel's Abandoned Bunker

alexweir19821984 wants to go to House of Slaves

alexweir19821984 wants to go to Gorée Island

XylemSmeltz9 wants to go to Cap Manuel's Abandoned Bunker

XylemSmeltz9 wants to go to House of Slaves

Stories About Dakar

Sandaga Market in December 2019, before the government relocated vendors and started to demolish informal stalls. Many of these vendors are selling clothing, but one blows bubbles from toys for sale.

The Fight to Save One of Dakar's Most Distinctive Markets

In a city full of French colonial influence, Marché Sandaga was built in a uniquely West African style.

by Ricci Shryock

October 5, 2020

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