Saint-Louis
Senegal
- Safety rating
- 6.2/10
- Best time to visit
- The cool dry season from November to May is best, with the famous jazz festival usually held in spring.
- Population
- 0.3M
Overview
This atmospheric former colonial capital sits on an island in the Senegal River, its crumbling pastel buildings and iron bridge oozing faded grandeur. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is famed for jazz, fishing pirogues and nearby bird-rich wetlands.
Top attractions
Wander the colonial island, cross the Faidherbe Bridge, watch the pirogues in Guet Ndar, and birdwatch at Djoudj National Park.
Getting around
The island and fishing district of Guet Ndar are walkable; horse-drawn carriages (calèches) and taxis cover longer distances.