
Sandaga Market
Dakar's bustling heart, Sandaga Market offers everything from vibrant textiles and crafts to delicious street food. A true sensory overload!

Highlights
Must-see attractions

Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Less crowded, easier to navigate

Sandaga Market
Best Time
Less crowded, easier to navigate

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Dakar's bustling heart, Sandaga Market offers everything from vibrant textiles and crafts to delicious street food. A true sensory overload!
"You can get absolutely EVERYTHING you can think of there, just you need to know which road the shops are located."

🎯 Know Your Streets
Each street specializes in a product. Google beforehand to save time!
💰 Bargain Like a Pro
Prices aren't displayed. Have an idea of value and negotiate firmly but politely.

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Textile Paradise
Various stalls
Discover vibrant wax fabrics, traditional clothing, and unique African prints. Perfect for souvenirs or custom outfits.

Street Food Delights
Bant Ya and surrounding areas
Savor authentic Senegalese street food like brochettes and dibi. Affordable and bursting with local flavors.

Handicrafts & Souvenirs
Artisan stalls
Find unique handcrafted items, jewelry, and local products. Ideal for gifts and mementos of your trip.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Navigate the Bustle
Bargaining & Avoiding Hassles
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Know Your Streets
Each street specializes in a product. Google beforehand to save time!
💰 Bargain Like a Pro
Prices aren't displayed. Have an idea of value and negotiate firmly but politely.
🚗 Skip the Car
Parking is nearly impossible. Use taxis or ride-sharing services like Yango.
🗣️ Ask Shop Staff
For help finding items, ask shop employees, not random people on the street.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Know Your Streets
Each street specializes in a product. Google beforehand to save time!
💰 Bargain Like a Pro
Prices aren't displayed. Have an idea of value and negotiate firmly but politely.
🚗 Skip the Car
Parking is nearly impossible. Use taxis or ride-sharing services like Yango.
🗣️ Ask Shop Staff
For help finding items, ask shop employees, not random people on the street.
🛍️ Fabric Deals
Wax fabric around 1,000 CFA/meter. Tailoring costs about 5,000 CFA per piece.
🍢 Try Bant Ya
Don't miss the street food, especially brochettes at Bant Ya!
👗 Shop for Clothes
Find affordable clothing, including traditional robes and modern styles.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Sandaga Market is a vast and vibrant hub offering an incredible array of goods, from textiles to street food. While many praise its extensive selection and affordability, some visitors find the persistent solicitations and crowded conditions overwhelming. It's a place of intense sensory experience, best navigated with patience and a good bargaining spirit.
"Commenting on the market including all the surroundings roads and buildings.
Every road is for a particular product, for example Rue Abdou Karim Bourgi is for curtains, whereby you can get different types of curtains which can be stiched at your required length and height, and delivered at your place by the next day at latest.
So basically you can get absolutely EVERYTHING you can think of there, just you need to know in which road the shops are located. You can google search before arriving there so as to save you time and energy. Also it is recommended to be there around 10am and to leave there by 3pm due to heavy traffic.
Parking is almost impossible to find so better go by taxi/Yango etc.
For foreigners, if ever you are having difficulty finding a particular product, better enter a shop and ask the employees/shop owners than asking anyone on the road. Because some people will harass you to take you to different shops of their choice and ask you for money. As soon as they approach you better tell them that you don't need them and to leave you alone.
Prices are usually not displayed and you will have to bargain for almost everything. So better have an idea about the prices of different things you need so as to have some bargaining powers.
The places are usually very crowded and some areas are very dirty."
Arif Teeka
"This is a huge market with many different stalls and stores. I've been to several markets and this one was probably the most difficult to manage. I'm used to people following me and asking questions, but after a while they usually let me be. This time I was followed the entire time by two separate men, despite saying I was just looking and wasn't interested. I had two friends with me and the two men even followed us for a while after we left the areas of the market. It was too frustrating of an experience. I'd still recommend checking it out, perhaps I got unlucky."
Amanda Weilenmann
"Great for finding fabric and a tailor , for wax fabric you should pay ~1,000/metre (September 2023) and you can buy it in 6 or 12 yards. 6 yards is more than enough for a shirt and shorts combo! The tailor should cost you ~5,000/piece (pending pockets, elastic waist, etc.)"
bayden mccallum
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The most convenient way to reach Sandaga Market is by taxi or ride-sharing service (like Yango) as parking is extremely limited and traffic can be heavy.
Many local buses also pass through the area, but navigating them can be challenging for first-time visitors.No, parking is notoriously difficult to find around Sandaga Market. It's highly recommended to use alternative transportation like taxis or ride-sharing apps to avoid the hassle.
To avoid the worst crowds and traffic, aim to arrive around 10 AM and plan to finish your shopping by 3 PM.
Yes, Sandaga Market is organized by product specialization. For example, Rue Abdou Karim Bourgi is known for curtains. It's helpful to research specific street names before you go.
While generally safe, be aware of your surroundings and potential harassment. It's best to be firm when declining unsolicited help from strangers.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Sandaga Market is a public marketplace and does not have an entrance fee. You can freely explore the stalls and shops.
The market is generally open daily, but specific stall hours can vary. It's best to visit between 10 AM and 3 PM for the most active shopping experience.
No booking is required to visit Sandaga Market. It's a bustling open-air market where you can simply show up and start exploring.
Sandaga Market is a large, sprawling complex with multiple entrances and access points. You can enter from various surrounding streets.
Accessibility can be challenging due to crowds and uneven surfaces. While some areas might be navigable, it's advisable to be prepared for potential difficulties.
🎫 🛍️ Shopping & Souvenirs
You can find a wide variety of goods, including vibrant textiles and African prints,
traditional clothing, handcrafted souvenirs, jewelry, leather goods, and household items. It's a great place for unique finds.Bargaining is expected. Start by offering about half of the asking price and negotiate upwards. Be polite but firm, and be prepared to walk away if the price isn't right.
Sandaga Market is renowned for its textiles, especially wax fabrics. You can find excellent quality fabrics for clothing and home decor.
Yes, Sandaga Market offers a wide range of clothing at competitive prices, especially if you're willing to bargain. You can find everything from traditional attire to more contemporary styles.
Look for handcrafted jewelry, beaded items, small wooden carvings, and colorful African-print accessories. These make for memorable and authentic souvenirs.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Sandaga Market offers a fantastic array of street food. Popular options include delicious brochettes (grilled meat skewers) and dibi (spicy grilled meat).
Bant Ya, located within Sandaga Market, is highly recommended for its authentic and flavorful street food, especially its brochettes.
Street food is very affordable. For example, brochettes can cost as little as 100 CFA per piece.
While the market is primarily known for its street food stalls and small eateries, you might find some basic local restaurants. However, the street food experience is the main culinary draw.
Street food vendors at Sandaga Market are generally popular and busy, indicating freshness. It's always a good idea to choose vendors with high turnover and observe hygiene practices.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, you can take photos, but it's always polite to ask permission before photographing individuals, especially vendors. Be mindful of people's privacy.
The vibrant colors of textiles,
the bustling crowds, the diverse street food, and the unique local products offer fantastic photographic opportunities.There are no official restrictions, but it's courteous to avoid intrusive photography, especially in crowded areas or when photographing individuals without their consent.
Morning light can be softer and less harsh, making it ideal for capturing the market's atmosphere. However, the vibrant energy throughout the day offers unique photographic moments.
As with any crowded market, be aware of your belongings. Keep your camera and phone secure to prevent theft.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
💰 Budget Travelers
🛍️ Shoppers & Souvenir Hunters
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating the Labyrinth: A Shopper's Guide
When you arrive, you'll be met with a sensory explosion of colors, sounds, and smells. The sheer volume of goods can be astonishing, from vibrant African wax prints to everyday necessities. It's a place where you can truly find 'absolutely EVERYTHING you can think of,' as one reviewer noted. However, this abundance also means navigating crowds and potential solicitations.
The Art of Bargaining and Dealing with Sellers
While most interactions are positive, some visitors have reported persistent sellers or guides who can be difficult to shake off. The advice from seasoned travelers is to be direct and clear: state that you are just looking and do not need assistance. If someone continues to follow you, firmly ask them to leave you alone. For more reliable information or to find specific items, it's often better to approach shop employees directly rather than asking random individuals on the street.
Culinary Adventures: Street Food at its Finest
The prices are incredibly reasonable, with brochettes often costing as little as 100 CFA each, making it an accessible and satisfying dining option. While the market is primarily about street food, the vibrant atmosphere and the chance to taste freshly prepared local dishes make it a memorable gastronomic experience.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit