What to see in Senegal

Goree Island

Just off the coast of Dakar, Gorée Island is a small, car-free island with a tranquil atmosphere and old-world charm. Behind its peaceful façade lies a deeply tragic past: between the 15th and 19th centuries, it played a central role in the Atlantic slave trade.

Today, the island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised as an “island of memory” that remembers the horrors of human exploitation. Over the centuries, it passed between Portuguese, Dutch, British and French rule. The stark contrast between the elegant homes of former slave traders and the grim slave quarters makes a visit both eye-opening and moving.

The highlight is the House of Slaves, a striking red-fronted building used to hold enslaved people in the 18th century. It’s now a museum and memorial to the victims of the Atlantic slave trade. You can also explore the island’s colonial fortifications and the Relais de l’Espadon, the former French governor’s residence. Regular ferries from Dakar take around 20 minutes, making it easy to include on a tour of Senegal.