Île de Gorée

Introducing Île de Gorée

The historical Île de Gorée is enveloped by an almost eerie calm. There are no sealed roads and no cars on this island, just narrow alleyways with trailing bougainvillea and colonial brick buildings with wrought-iron balconies. But Gorée’s calm is not so much romantic as meditative, as the ancient buildings bear witness to the island’s role in the Atlantic slave trade.

Gorée is tiny, and can easily be explored independently, though the Syndicat d’Initiative (823 9177; Rue du Port; 9am-1pm & 2.30-5pm Tue-Sun) can arrange guides. For some quick, on-the-spot information, try the small tourist booth near the police station. This is also where you’ll have to pay your US$1 tourist tax, an obligatory payment for all non-Senegalese visitors. Gorée has a post office and an internet café, Espace Multimedia (per hr US$1; 10am-1pm & 3-10pm).

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009