Dakar City Tour and Goree Island: Slave history and markets

Markets, monuments and the weight of Goree Island's past

A guided tour of Dakar's city center and Goree Island, departing at 8am and returning around 4pm, with a professional English or French-speaking guide, private vehicle transport, and ferry passage included. The tour moves through Dakar's markets and colonial architecture before crossing to Goree Island to visit the Slave House museum and confront the historical sites of the transatlantic slave trade.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dakar city tour and Goree island visit

• Start guided Dakar city tour at 8am
• Visit Kermel fruits market and Sandaga
• Explore Soumbedioune art craft and fishing market
• See Presidential Palace and Independence square garden
• View Monument of African Renaissance and Old French cathedral
• Visit Old train station and IFAN Museum
• Transfer to Dakar dock around midday
• Take ferry to Goree Island
• Tour La Maison des Esclaves museum
• Visit slave cells and slave dealers' apartment
• See Door of No Return
• Visit historical museum on Goree Island
• Take ferry back to Dakar at 4pm
• Drop off at your location

The experience

The tour starts at 8am with a guided drive through Dakar's markets (Kermel fruits market, Sandaga, Soumbedioune art and fishing market), where the city's energy and commerce are most visible. You'll see the Presidential Palace, Independence Square garden, the Monument of African Renaissance, the old French cathedral and train station, and the IFAN Museum of African Arts, a cultural institute founded in 1938 to study African languages, history and the cultures of peoples under French colonial rule. The guide points out how Dakar's contemporary buildings sit alongside colonial houses, and explains what the markets and landmarks mean to the city's identity.

Around midday you transfer to the dock and take the ferry to Goree Island. The island's entire history centers on the slave trade: from the sixteenth century through the mid-nineteenth century, men, women and children were held in cells before being shipped to the New World, West Indies and South America. The Portuguese, Dutch, French and British all seized the island and participated in the trade. You visit La Maison des Esclaves, the most famous museum, which once held up to two hundred captives. You walk through the slave cells and see the slave dealers' apartment upstairs. The Door of No Return is the opening through which countless Africans caught their last glimpse of home before boarding the slave ships. You also visit the historical museum. The ferry departs at 4pm to return you to Dakar.

A professional guide in English or French accompanies the entire day. The guide's role is to show the hidden spots and context that turn a visit into understanding rather than surface observation. Private vehicle transport and all ferry passage are included. Bring your passport for the island crossing.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or French.
• private vehicle transport through Dakar.
• ferry passage to and from Goree Island.
• entry to La Maison des Esclaves and the historical museum on Goree Island.
• local taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 00:00 and 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Under 12: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Audio guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Senegal Tourist Guide

Is this one for you?The guide's expertise shapes this tour: you move through Dakar's markets and monuments with someone who knows what each one means to the city, then spend time on Goree Island understanding its history rather than walking through it alone. A shared tour means you travel with other visitors. A minimum age of 12 applies.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What markets will I see on the Dakar city tour?

The tour includes Kermel fruits market, Sandaga, and Soumbedioune art and fishing market, where you can see Dakar's open-air commerce and crafts alongside the city's contemporary and colonial architecture.

What is the Door of No Return at the Slave House?

The Door of No Return is the opening in La Maison des Esclaves through which enslaved Africans saw their homeland for the last time before being shipped across the ocean. It stands as the most visible symbol of Goree Island's role in the transatlantic slave trade.

How do I get to Goree Island from Dakar?

After the morning city tour, you transfer to Dakar dock around midday and take a ferry boat to the island. The return ferry departs at 4pm to bring you back to Dakar.

What museums will I visit on Goree Island?

You visit La Maison des Esclaves, the most famous museum, where you walk through the slave cells and the slave dealers' apartment, and also the historical museum on the island.

Do I need to bring anything specific for this tour?

Bring your passport with you, as it is required for the ferry crossing to Goree Island.