An explosion of colors and scents

The famous outdoor stalls selling a wide variety of rare fruits and vegetables offer a veritable explosion of colors and scents. Inside the market, immerse yourself in African culture with countless stalls offering everyday items at local prices: food, spices, kitchen utensils, incense, Senegalese beauty products—including henna—pottery, jewelry, books, magazines, and even “used” newspapers at discounted prices… Rumor has it that you can also find numerous items used in rituals, such as amulets and other ingredients for witchcraft!

Shopping in this quintessentially African setting lets you soak up the atmosphere of the city of Dakar. Very popular with locals, the covered market stretches across several alleys. People are chatting, shouting, and haggling! Lively, clean, and vibrant, you’ll find few tourists here. It’s safe to walk around, and this place is perfect for making wonderful connections! 

Easy to reach, the Tilène Market is located near the city center, on Blaise Diagne Avenue, in the old Medina district. To get there, try the “cars rapides” adventure! These city buses, unique to Dakar and often packed to the brim, are truly worth the trip. Hop aboard a colorful (yellow and blue) Renault bus that showcases Senegal’s cultural heritage. While the “cars rapides” are still in service, their eventual phase-out has already been announced. So now is the perfect time to give them a try!