Dakar Sights

  1. Espace Culturel VEMA

    The Espace Culturel VEMA is a ray of hope in the dreary industrial lands near the Île de Gorée ferry. Its spiced-up warehouse frequently houses exhibitions and events, but you need to phone first to see if anything's on.

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  2. Galerie Arte

    Galerie Arte looks more like a shop than a gallery, and though all items are for sale, there's no pressure to buy.

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  3. Galerie Le Manège

    The brilliant little Galerie Le Manège, in a beautifully restored 19th-century building, is also part of the French cultural complex.

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  4. Galerie Nationale

    The space of the Galerie Nationale is slightly less enticing, but its frequently changing exhibitions of photography or paintings are usually very good.

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  5. IFAN Museum

    Near the Palais Présidentiel, the IFAN Museum has good, though slightly dusty, displays of masks and other items from across West Africa.

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  7. Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noir (IFAN) Museum

    The IFAN Museum is one of the best museums in West Africa. Lively, imaginative displays show masks and traditional dress across the region (including Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Benin and Nigeria) and provide an excellent overview of styles, without bombarding you with more than you can take in.

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  8. Institut Français

    Dakar has a vibrant contemporary arts scene to be discovered in the cluster of small art galleries and ateliers hidden in the city's side streets. The leafy garden of the Institut Français is a hub of creativity.

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  9. Maison des Esclaves

    This building is one of the last remaining 18th-century slave-trading houses on the island. Built in 1786 and renovated in 1990, it serves as a graphic reminder of that cruel commerce. There is, however, considerable debate as to the building's historical significance.

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  10. Salon Michèle Ka

    In Point E, the Salon Michèle Ka is not only the funkiest hairdressing salon in town, but also one of the most original art galleries. The whole salon, from styling tables to wall displays, is decorated with urban sous-verre motifs à la car rapide . It's an absolute must-see - you don't need to get a new hairstyle to visit.

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  11. Yassine Arts Center

    You can't miss the gargantuan, lion-shaped entry to the Yassine Arts Center. Exhibitions here have a habit of spilling over into the hotel, theatre, restaurant and even the fitness centre that form part of the complex.

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