Senegal offers a vibrant blend of West African culture, French colonial heritage, and stunning Atlantic coastlines. From the bustling markets of Dakar to the historic Gorée Island and the pink waters of Lake Retba, this welcoming nation captivates visitors with its warm hospitality and rich traditions.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Ndop fabric
Handwoven indigo-dyed cloth from Casamance with intricate geometric patterns. Traditionally used for ceremonial dress and deeply tied to Diola and Serer culture.
Price: $15-60
Where: Soumbedioune Artisan Market, Village des Arts
Bazin cloth
Shiny brocade fabric dyed in vivid colors and embroidered into boubous and dresses. A staple of Senegalese fashion sold by the meter or as finished garments.
Price: $10-80
Where: Sandaga Market, Tilene Market
Wooden masks and sculptures
Hand-carved masks depicting Senegambian spiritual figures, animals, and ancestors. Artisans at Soumbedioune carve and sell directly, offering authentic craftsmanship.
Price: $10-150
Where: Soumbedioune Artisan Market, Kermel Market upstairs
Silver filigree jewelry
Delicate earrings, bracelets, and necklaces made by Mauritanian silversmiths settled in Dakar. Intricate woven silver designs set with amber or colored stones.
Price: $15-80
Where: Kermel Market, Hotel boutiques in Plateau
Souwères (glass paintings)
Reverse-painted glass art depicting Islamic scenes, village life, and historical figures like Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba. A uniquely Senegalese art form practiced in Saint-Louis and Dakar.
Price: $20-200
Where: Village des Arts, Gorée Island galleries
Lac Rose salt
Pink-tinted salt harvested by hand from Lake Retba, packed in small bags as a distinctive edible souvenir. Mineral-rich and naturally flavored.
Price: $3-10
Where: Lac Rose roadside stalls, Kermel Market
Djembe and sabar drums
Handmade West African drums crafted from mahogany and goat skin. Small djembes make excellent musical souvenirs; larger ones can be shipped.
Price: $30-200
Where: Soumbedioune Artisan Market, Marché HLM
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Sandaga Market
Dakar's largest and most chaotic market covering several city blocks. A labyrinth of stalls selling textiles, electronics, food, spices, and everyday goods frequented by locals and tourists alike.
Where: Avenue Pompidou, Plateau, Dakar
Hours: Mon-Sat 8AM-7PM, Sun 8AM-2PM
Kermel Market
Colonial-era covered market in a distinctive circular building, more tourist-friendly than Sandaga. Upstairs floor has quality crafts, souvenirs, jewelry, and artisan products.
Where: Rue Mohamed V, Plateau, Dakar
Hours: Mon-Sat 7AM-7PM, Sun 7AM-1PM
Soumbedioune Artisan Market
Beachfront craft market where over 200 artisans work in open workshops. Woodcarvers, leatherworkers, jewelers, and weavers sell directly, making this the best place for authentic Senegalese crafts.
Where: Corniche Ouest, Dakar
Hours: Daily 9AM-7PM
Marché HLM
The go-to market for African fabrics and tailoring. Enormous selection of wax prints, bazin, and local textiles sold by the meter, with dozens of tailors nearby ready to make custom outfits.
Where: HLM, Dakar
Hours: Daily 8AM-6PM
Marché Tilene
Lively neighborhood market in Medina serving local Dakar residents. Less touristy than Sandaga with authentic prices and a great selection of fresh food, household items, and secondhand clothing.
Where: Medina, Dakar
Hours: Daily 7AM-8PM
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Plateau / Downtown Dakar
Dakar's commercial heart with formal shops, boutiques, and banks along Avenue Pompidou and Rue du Docteur Thèze. Good for electronics, fashion, and souvenirs near international hotels.
Best for: Fashion, electronics, banks, mid-range shopping
Almadies
Upscale area west of Dakar with modern supermarkets, restaurants, and boutiques. Home to expat-oriented shops selling imported goods, wine, and international brands.
Best for: Imported groceries, wine, premium goods
Sacré-Coeur / Mermoz
Established middle-class neighborhoods with local shops, patisseries, pharmacies, and small boutiques. Good everyday shopping in a calmer environment than the city center.
Best for: Daily shopping, bakeries, pharmacies
Gorée Island
Small boutiques and galleries lining the cobblestone streets of the island. Focus on original art, photography prints, hand-painted souvenirs, and antiques tied to the island's history.
Best for: Original art, photography, unique colonial-era items
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Sea Plaza Mall
Dakar's most modern shopping mall attached to the Radisson Blu hotel on the Corniche. Houses international and local fashion brands, a food court, cinema, and beauty salons in an air-conditioned environment.
Hours: Mon-Sat 9AM-9PM, Sun 10AM-7PM
Dakar City Mall (Centre Commercial)
Multi-level retail center in Plateau with electronics shops, clothing stores, a supermarket, and fast-food outlets. Popular with Dakar's middle class for everyday and fashion shopping.
Hours: Mon-Sat 9AM-9PM
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is expected at markets and craft stalls but not in fixed-price shops or malls
Start your counter-offer at 40-50% of the initial asking price and negotiate from there
Be friendly and patient; aggressive bargaining is considered rude
Walking away slowly often brings the seller back with a lower price
Agree on price before any service or purchase to avoid misunderstandings later
Small purchases under 1,000 CFA ($1.50) are generally fixed price; don't bargain for these
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Cannot export cultural artifacts, antiques, or archaeological items without official documentation from the Ministry of Culture
Tax Refund: No formal VAT refund system for tourists; prices at markets are negotiated without tax receipts
Duty Free: Travelers can bring in up to 200 cigarettes, 1 liter of spirits, and personal goods up to $300 value without duty
Shipping: Several shipping services in Dakar (DHL, FedEx, EMS Postal) can send parcels internationally; larger wooden items or drums can be shipped as cargo through freight forwarders