Hotels in Dakar

Staying in Dakar

Dakar sits at the tip of a peninsula facing the Atlantic, and most hotels line up along the sea or in the administrative centre. The Plateau, the historic and business district, gathers ministries, banks, markets and the port from which the ferries leave for Gorée Island. To the west, the Corniche and then Les Almadies and Ngor string together restaurants, beaches and leisure hotels in a more relaxed atmosphere. For a Moroccan traveller, the city is well served from Casablanca, the welcome is warm and French makes every step easier.

The dry season, from late autumn to spring, is the most pleasant time to stay; the rainy season, in summer, brings humid heat and showers. Traffic is heavy on weekdays, which makes the choice of district decisive: stay near your meetings or the places you plan to visit. The international airport lies outside the city, and the transfer by taxi or hotel shuttle takes time; check with the property before you arrive. Dakar offers business hotels, serviced residences, seafront hotels and guesthouses.

Where to stay in Dakar

• The Plateau, the city centre

  The administrative and commercial heart, with business hotels and a few long-established properties. Practical for meetings, the Gorée ferry pier and the markets; quieter in the evening and at weekends.

• The Corniche

  Between the centre and the western tip, an oceanfront road lined with hotels overlooking the sea. A good compromise between access to the centre and a pleasant setting.

• Les Almadies and Ngor

  The western tip of the peninsula: beaches, restaurants, leisure hotels and residences. Ideal for relaxing; expect some travel time to the centre at rush hour.

Good to know before you book

• Tell the hotel your arrival time and ask whether it offers an airport transfer: it is the simplest way to reach the city without stress.
• With children or for a relaxing stay, a hotel with a pool and access to the sea in Les Almadies or on the Corniche is more restful than the centre.
• For the trip to Gorée, stay on the Plateau or plan to be there early: the ferries leave from the port, right in the centre.

Questions about Dakar

Frequently asked questions