Dakar Introduction Walking Tour I (Self Guided), Dakar

Place de l’Indépendance is in the middle of the city's action. The square is located between the Chambre de Commerce and Ministere des Affaires Étrangères. The square is actually a beautiful, well-preserved garden, having in its center a fountain topped by lions, which is the symbol of Senegal. Place de l’Indépendance is a great place to relax and watch the city's busiest avenues.

Ministere des Affaires Étrangères, which means Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is a massive outstanding edifice located just near the Independence Square. The building features impressive classic architecture. Its facade has a variety of columns and arched windows, all in white and red brick. Ministere des Affaires Étrangères is one of the most impressive buildings of its type and size in Dakar.

Meaning the Chamber of Commerce, Chambre de Commerce is a massive outstanding building of sand color, with its classical-styled architecture epitomized in the very high columns and its symmetrically laid details. Chambre de Commerce is a spectacular landmark, one of the most beautiful in the chain of government beauties to see in Dakar.

Galerie Nationale d'Art is Dakar's national gallery of art. The gallery was opened on January 29, 1983 and inaugurated by president Abdou Diouf. Located in a colonial building, the gallery is home to both local and international contemporary visual art. The gallery is one of the most famous of the city, as it truly supports culture and art in Senegal. The gallery organizes major exhibitions of paintings and photography, and other programs of art exchange.

Located in an impressive nineteenth-century former French military building, Le Manege is an art gallery preserving contemporary Senegalese art, founded in 2005. The gallery extends over an area of 280 m2 and aims to promote cultural dialogue between France and Senegal. It holds its own permanent exhibitions as well as temporary exhibitions. Galerie Le Manege is a great place to get in touch with Dakar's culture and arts.

Marche Kermel is a popular market in Dakar. It is famous not only for its large variety of food and souvenirs sold: it is also known as a beautiful landmark because its building is a splendid piece of art. Initially built in 1860, and then burnt in 1994, the current building is also an impressive one as in 1997 it was reconstructed like the original edifice. Marche Kermel is a great venue to visit if you want see some of Dakar's culture.

Hôtel de Ville is an impressive building in Dakar. It features French colonial architecture in a Victorian structure. Combined with the clock tower, it is a significant sight among Dakar's architecture. As it is actually Dakar's City Hall, it is an administrative building, but open to the public. Hôtel de Ville is surrounded by beautiful green gardens and offers an amazing view over Dakar's bay.

Place des Tirailleurs is a square featuring a statue dedicated to African history, especially to the Senegalese soldiers who participated in the war and in the construction of Dakar's railway station. The statue with Dupont and Demba stands just in the front of the colonial train station which was built in 1885. Also known as Place de la Gare Dakar-Niger, its railway station was the first station of West Africa.