Dakar is the largest city in Senegal , a vibrant country located on Africa’s Atlantic coast.

Famous for hosting the Dakar rally raid every year, Dakar is also renowned for its exuberance, displayed in a huge array of music, arts and film festivals and fantastic African cuisine.

Your luxury MSC cruise ship will dock in Dakar itself, and you will be keen to get going and explore this dynamic city. Formerly under French colonial rule, the city’s architecture displays the legacy of these times and French is still spoken in Senegal.

Once off the ship, you could head for Sandaga, Dakar’s bustling street market where you can pick up a few holiday souvenirs if you are prepared to bargain hard! You cannot help but get a feel for Dakar’s thriving arts scene as you witness the many art galleries in the city, and art-lovers will not want to miss a trip to IFAN, the fascinating African Arts Museum which has a huge array of traditional African masks, costumes and artefacts.

Many of our cruise guests with an interest in world history will want to make the short trip to Goree Island, which is but just off the Cap Vert Peninsula but still part of the city of Dakar.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Goree Island is home to the Slave Trade Museum, located in an 18th century house and which is a place of pilgrimage for many.

To make the most of your short vacation in Dakar, see our excursion packages further afield which offer the best deals on local sights and attractions in the surrounding area.