These are the best places to travel this summer

Mali

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2025

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
The Great Mosque of Djenné.

©David MG/500px

Overview

Like an exquisite sandcastle formed in a harsh desert landscape, Mali is blessed by an extraordinary amount of beauty, wonders, talents and knowledge.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Mali, Djenne. The Great Mosque of Djenne - constructed in 1907 on the foundations of a 13th century mosque built by King Koy Konboro, the 26th ruler of Djenne. This very beautiful mosque is the largest mud structure in the world. The residents of the town

    Grande Mosquée

    Mali

    Djenné's elegant Grande Mosque was constructed in 1907, though it's based on the design of an older Grande Mosquée that once stood on the site. Famous…

  • A woman in yellow robes, and a child walk past the Sankore mosque, built in the traditional Sahel style, Timbuktu.

    Sankoré Mosque

    Mali

    Timbuktu's three great mosques - all inaccessible to non-Muslims - are nothing much to look at, but serve as reminders of its great past. The youngest of…

  • Fully laden Pinasses docked at the jetty with more cargo on the shores of the Niger river, Mopti

    Mopti Port

    Mali

    Mopti's port is a lively place, where boats from up and down the river unload their cargoes. You'll see slabs of salt from Timbuktu, dried fish, firewood,…

  • Dyingerey Ber Mosque

    Mali

    Timbuktu has three of the oldest mosques in West Africa. While not as visually stunning as some in Mali, they're still extremely impressive and represent…

  • Grand Marché

    Mali

    Every Monday, the wide open area in front of the mosque is transformed into the clamorous Monday Market, which has barely changed since the days when…

  • Massina

    Mali

    From the pleasant Fula village of Massina, you can start a trip along the Niger by public pinasse (large canoe). A good first stop is Diafarabé, where…

  • Centre de Recherches Historiques Ahmed Baba

    Mali

    An amazing collection of ancient manuscripts and books are kept at the Centre de Recherches Historiques Ahmed Baba. Home to (at last count) 23,000 Islamic…

  • La Dune Rose

    Mali

    Gao's premier tourist attraction is a sunset trip to La Dune Rose, known locally as Koïma, a wonderful sand dune on the right bank of the Niger, visible…

Advertisement
Advertisement