Dakar
Capital of Senegal
Dakar is the capital of Senegal and home to approximately 1.4 million people. Located on the coast, the city draws visitors with its diverse museums, historic monuments, and religious landmarks.
What to see
The city features several cultural and historic sites. You can visit the Museum of Black Civilisations and the House of Slaves. Landmarks such as the African Renaissance Monument, the Grand Mosque of Dakar, and Our Lady of Victories Cathedral are also present. For coastal views, the city offers the Pointe des Almadies and the Les Mamelles Lighthouse.
When to go
The weather is driest and coolest from January to May, with average temperatures between 21 °C and 23 °C and almost no rain. Temperatures rise slightly to 25 °C in June and reach 28 °C in October. The rainy season occurs from July to October, with August being the wettest month, recording 170 mm of rain over about 24 days. If you prefer to avoid rain, the period from November to June is the most suitable time for a visit.
Getting there
The primary gateway is Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS), located 39 km from Dakar.
Top sights in Dakar
Weather by month
The warmest month is October, averaging 28 °C. The wettest is August, with about 170 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperature, °C | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 24 |
| Rainfall, mm | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 58 | 170 | 137 | 21 | 0 | 1 |
| Rainy days | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 16 | 25 | 26 | 13 | 1 | 1 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Dakar (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
Also worth a look
- Les Mamelles Lighthouse