{"id":1311742,"date":"2026-10-23T19:03:59","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T19:03:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1311742"},"modified":"2026-10-23T19:03:59","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T19:03:59","slug":"saint-louis","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/africa\/senegal\/saint-louis\/","title":{"rendered":"Saint-Louis"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":1315022,"parent":1310613,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-city","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_co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city guide","hw_hub_city_hero_h1":"Saint-Louis Travel Guide","hw_hub_city_hero_intro":"Saint-Louis is Senegal's most atmospheric town: a narrow island in the Senegal River lined with faded colonial houses, wrought-iron balconies and horse-drawn carts, joined to the mainland by the iron Faidherbe Bridge. Come for the slow pace, the fishing quarter of Guet N'Dar, a famous jazz festival and some of Africa's best birdwatching.","hw_hub_city_hero_image":"1315022","hw_hub_city_hero_overlay":"medium","hw_hub_city_hero_cta":"Where to stay | #areas\r\nWhat it costs | #budget","hw_hub_city_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_city_stats":"1659 | Year the French founded the town\r\nAbout CFA 5,000 | Sept-place from Dakar\r\nNov\u2013Apr | Best for Djoudj birds","hw_hub_city_intro_title":"Saint-Louis at a glance","hw_hub_city_intro_body":"Saint-Louis, about 260 km north of Dakar near the Mauritanian border, was founded by the French in 1659 on an island in the mouth of the Senegal River. It was the capital of French West Africa until 1902 and of Senegal until 1957.\r\n\r\nThe town is spread across three parts. The island, \u00cele de N'Dar, is the historic heart and a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a grid of streets lined by colonial houses with balconies, some restored, many crumbling. It's linked to the mainland, Sor, by the Faidherbe Bridge, a 500 m iron bridge dating from 1897.\r\n\r\nTo the west, across a narrow channel, is the Langue de Barbarie, a long sandy spit between the river and the Atlantic. Its fishing quarter, Guet N'Dar, is one of the busiest in Senegal, with hundreds of painted pirogues pulled up on the beach.\r\n\r\nSaint-Louis has a strong cultural life, with music, art and the Saint-Louis International Jazz Festival, one of the most famous in Africa.\r\n\r\nThe surrounding wetlands are among the most important in West Africa for birds. The Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, a UNESCO site, hosts huge colonies of pelicans and flamingos, and the Langue de Barbarie National Park has seabirds and nesting turtles.\r\n\r\nTwo or three nights covers the island, Guet N'Dar and a trip to Djoudj or the Langue de Barbarie.","hw_hub_city_facts":"Airport transfer | From Dakar airport, taxi about CFA 60,000\r\nGetting around | Walk; taxis about CFA 500\r\nTransport app | None\r\nCurrency | CFA franc; ATMs on the island\r\nTap water | Drink bottled water\r\nTipping | Tip guides and cal\u00e8che drivers\r\nLanguage | French and Wolof\r\nHow long to stay | Two to three nights\r\nBest area to stay | The island\r\nTours | Djoudj by guided tour","hw_hub_city_areas_title":"Where to stay in Saint-Louis","hw_hub_city_areas_intro":"Stay on the island for the colonial streets, restaurants and atmosphere, or on the Langue de Barbarie for beach campements. Sor, on the mainland, has the bus station and markets.","hw_hub_city_areas_map":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_zoom":"11","hw_hub_city_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_live":"1","hw_hub_city_areas":"\u00cele de N'Dar | Atmosphere and history | The UNESCO-listed island with colonial streets and auberges. | 16.025 | -16.505 |  | \nGuet N'Dar | Fishing life | Fishing quarter on the Langue de Barbarie with hundreds of pirogues. | 16.023 | -16.511 |  | \nLangue de Barbarie | Beach campements | Sandy spit between the river and the Atlantic. | 15.98 | -16.51 |  | \nSor | Transport and markets | Mainland side with the bus station and markets. | 16.02 | -16.49 |  | ","hw_hub_city_itin_title":"","hw_hub_city_itin_intro":"","hw_hub_city_itin":"","hw_hub_city_do_title":"Colonial streets, pirogues and pelicans","hw_hub_city_do_body":"Start by walking the island. The streets of \u00cele de N'Dar are lined with two-storey colonial houses with wooden balconies and courtyards, many painted in ochre and pastel colours. Look out for the Governor's Palace, the cathedral, one of the oldest in West Africa, and the old post office. Cal\u00e8ches, horse-drawn carriages, offer tours of the island.\r\n\r\nCross the Faidherbe Bridge, the town's landmark, built in the 1890s. Despite a popular myth, it wasn't designed by Gustave Eiffel.\r\n\r\nOn the Langue de Barbarie, Guet N'Dar is a dense fishing quarter where hundreds of colourful pirogues land their catch on the beach in the late afternoon. It's busy, crowded and photogenic, but ask before taking photos of people.\r\n\r\nThe Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, about 60 km north, is one of the world's most important wetlands for migrating birds, with up to a million and a half birds in season, including huge colonies of pelicans and flamingos. It's best from about November to April, on a guided tour.\r\n\r\nThe Langue de Barbarie National Park, about 18 km south, has boat trips through lagoons, with seabirds, and over 160 species of birds recorded.\r\n\r\nIn late May or early June, the Saint-Louis International Jazz Festival fills the town with concerts.","hw_hub_city_do_points":"\u00cele de N'Dar | UNESCO-listed colonial streets\r\nFaidherbe Bridge | Iron bridge from the 1890s\r\nGuet N'Dar | Pirogues landing their catch\r\nDjoudj | Pelicans and flamingos, November to April\r\nLangue de Barbarie NP | Boat trips and seabirds\r\nCal\u00e8che tour | Horse-drawn ride round the island","hw_hub_city_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_city_do_more":"All things to do in Saint-Louis","hw_hub_city_free_title":"Saint-Louis for free (or nearly)","hw_hub_city_free_body":"Walk the island's grid of colonial streets, especially in the late afternoon light.\r\n\r\nCross the Faidherbe Bridge on foot for views of the river and the town.\r\n\r\nWatch the pirogues return at Guet N'Dar, a free and unforgettable sight.\r\n\r\nWalk along the river quays and watch the boats and fishermen.\r\n\r\nLook out for free concerts and street performances, especially during the jazz festival.\r\n\r\nJoin the Fanals lantern parade between Christmas and New Year.","hw_hub_city_free_points":"Island walk | Colonial houses and balconies\r\nFaidherbe Bridge | River views\r\nGuet N'Dar | Pirogues at sunset\r\nRiver quays | Boats and fishermen\r\nFanals parade | Christmas to New Year","hw_hub_city_free_tag":"free","hw_hub_city_free_more":"All free things to do in Saint-Louis","hw_hub_city_food_title":"Thieboudienne, yassa and fresh fish","hw_hub_city_food_body":"Saint-Louis is said to be the home of thieboudienne, Senegal's national dish of fish, rice and vegetables, and it's worth trying here.\r\n\r\nYassa, chicken or fish in lemon and onion, is served at local restaurants for a couple of euros. Tangana stalls serve cheap Senegalese food, sandwiches and caf\u00e9 Touba.\r\n\r\nFish and seafood are fresh, straight from Guet N'Dar, and grilled fish is served in restaurants on the island and the Langue de Barbarie.\r\n\r\nBakeries sell pastries and baguettes for a few hundred CFA.\r\n\r\nRestaurant meals on the island cost around \u20ac5 to \u20ac10. Drink bottled water.","hw_hub_city_food_points":"Thieboudienne | Said to come from Saint-Louis\r\nYassa | A couple of euros\r\nTangana stalls | Cheap food and caf\u00e9 Touba\r\nGrilled fish | Fresh from Guet N'Dar\r\nRestaurant meal | About \u20ac5\u201310\r\nPastries | From about CFA 400","hw_hub_city_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_city_food_more":"All food guides for Saint-Louis","hw_hub_city_nightlife_title":"Jazz, bars and river views","hw_hub_city_nightlife_body":"Saint-Louis is quieter than Dakar, but it has a relaxed bar scene on the island, with live music in some venues at weekends, and jazz bars that honour the town's music heritage.\r\n\r\nThe jazz festival, usually in late May or early June, transforms the town, with concerts in squares, bars and venues.\r\n\r\nBetween Christmas and New Year, the Fanals lantern parade brings the streets to life.\r\n\r\nWalk in groups at night, and take a taxi back across the bridge.","hw_hub_city_nightlife_points":"Island bars | Live music at weekends\r\nJazz festival | Usually late May or early June\r\nFanals | Lantern parade in December\r\nAt night | Walk in groups","hw_hub_city_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_city_nightlife_more":"All nightlife in Saint-Louis","hw_hub_city_transport_title":"Getting to and around Saint-Louis","hw_hub_city_transport_body":"Saint-Louis is about 260 km north of Dakar on the N2. Sept-places leave Dakar when full, for about CFA 5,000 a seat. Minibuses are cheaper but slower, and Dakar Dem Dikk runs air-conditioned buses. There's been no passenger train since the early 2000s.\r\n\r\nA taxi from Dakar's airport costs around CFA 60,000 for up to four people, if negotiated.\r\n\r\nIn town, taxis have fixed fares of about CFA 500 (CFA 600 at night or from the bus station). The island is small and walkable, and cal\u00e8ches, horse-drawn carriages, offer tours.\r\n\r\nYou can rent bikes for about CFA 5,000 a day and scooters for about CFA 10,000.\r\n\r\nFor Djoudj and the Langue de Barbarie, join a tour or hire a car with driver.\r\n\r\nThe border with Mauritania is at Rosso, about 100 km east, or Diama, closer by.","hw_hub_city_transport_points":"From Dakar | Sept-place about CFA 5,000\r\nMinibus | Cheaper, slower\r\nTaxis | About CFA 500 a ride\r\nBike hire | About CFA 5,000 a day\r\nDjoudj | Tour or car with driver\r\nTo Mauritania | Rosso or Diama borders","hw_hub_city_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_city_transport_more":"All transport guides for Saint-Louis","hw_hub_city_money_title":"What Saint-Louis costs","hw_hub_city_money_body":"Saint-Louis is good value. Hostelworld has no listings here right now, but auberges on the island offer dorm beds from about CFA 6,000, often with breakfast, and camping from about CFA 2,500.\r\n\r\nLocal meals cost a couple of euros, and restaurant meals around \u20ac5 to \u20ac10.\r\n\r\nTaxis cost about CFA 500 a ride, and the sept-place from Dakar about CFA 5,000.\r\n\r\nTours to Djoudj and the Langue de Barbarie cost more, so share with other travellers.\r\n\r\nThere are ATMs on the island and in Sor.\r\n\r\nOn a budget, allow around \u20ac25 to \u20ac35 a day.","hw_hub_city_money_points":"Auberge dorm | From about CFA 6,000\r\nCamping | From about CFA 2,500\r\nLocal meal | A couple of euros\r\nRestaurant meal | About \u20ac5\u201310\r\nTaxi | About CFA 500\r\nTours | Share to cut costs","hw_hub_city_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_city_money_more":"All budget guides for Saint-Louis","hw_hub_city_safety_title":"Staying safe in Saint-Louis","hw_hub_city_safety_body":"Saint-Louis is relaxed and generally safe. Keep your valuables with you on buses and sept-places, where things can go missing from luggage.\r\n\r\nGuet N'Dar is crowded and poor, with sanitation problems. Visit by day, keep valuables hidden and ask before taking photos of people.\r\n\r\nWalk in groups at night and take taxis across the bridge.\r\n\r\nThe sea off the Langue de Barbarie has strong currents, so don't swim at unsupervised beaches.\r\n\r\nThe UK advises taking particular care in remote areas near the Mauritania border.\r\n\r\nDress modestly, especially away from the tourist areas.","hw_hub_city_safety_points":"Luggage | Keep valuables with you on buses\r\nGuet N'Dar | Visit by day; ask before photos\r\nAt night | Walk in groups\r\nSea | Strong currents\r\nMauritania border | Take particular care\r\nDress | Modestly","hw_hub_city_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_city_safety_more":"All safety guides for Saint-Louis","hw_hub_city_trips_title":"Day trips from Saint-Louis","hw_hub_city_trips_intro":"Saint-Louis is the base for two of Senegal's best bird reserves and the beaches of the Langue de Barbarie.","hw_hub_city_trips":"Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary | About 1.5 hours | Guided tour | Pelicans, flamingos and huge bird colonies, best November to April. |  | \nLangue de Barbarie National Park | About 30 minutes | Car and boat trip | Lagoons, seabirds and beaches south of town. |  | \nGuet N'Dar | 5 minutes | Walk across the bridge | The busy fishing quarter. |  | 1315018\nLompoul desert | About 2.5 hours | Car or tour | Orange sand dunes between Saint-Louis and Dakar, with desert camps. |  | 1315019","hw_hub_city_trips_tag":"day-trips","hw_hub_city_trips_more":"All day trips from Saint-Louis","hw_hub_city_season_title":"When to go to Saint-Louis","hw_hub_city_season_intro":"Saint-Louis is hot and dry for most of the year, with highs of 30\u00b0C to 34\u00b0C. November to April is the best time, with birds at Djoudj and cooler evenings. The short rainy season runs from about July to September.","hw_hub_city_season_note":"Average daily highs from weather2travel's Saint-Louis climate data. Crowd levels are our rough guide.","hw_hub_city_season_rows":"January | 30 | 4 | Cool evenings; Djoudj birds\r\nFebruary | 32 | 4 | Dry; birds\r\nMarch | 33 | 4 | Dry and hot\r\nApril | 32 | 4 | Last birds at Djoudj\r\nMay | 31 | 4 | Jazz festival (usually)\r\nJune | 31 | 3 | Hot; jazz festival some years\r\nJuly | 31 | 2 | Rains begin\r\nAugust | 32 | 2 | Rainy\r\nSeptember | 32 | 2 | Humid\r\nOctober | 34 | 2 | Hottest month\r\nNovember | 33 | 3 | Birds return\r\nDecember | 31 | 4 | Fanals parade","hw_hub_city_events_title":"What's on in Saint-Louis","hw_hub_city_events_intro":"Saint-Louis's calendar is built around the jazz festival and the Fanals parade.","hw_hub_city_events_source":"api","hw_hub_city_events_count":"8","hw_hub_city_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_city_events_cta_label":"All events in Saint-Louis","hw_hub_city_events_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/events\/africa\/senegal\/saint-louis\/","hw_hub_city_events":"Saint-Louis International Jazz Festival | Usually late May or early June | Saint-Louis | A week of jazz across the town, one of Africa's best-known music festivals. |  | \nIndependence Day | 4 April | Nationwide | Public holiday. |  | \nLes Fanals | Between Christmas and New Year | Saint-Louis | Lantern parade unique to Saint-Louis. |  | \nDjoudj bird season | About November to April | Djoudj | Migrating birds gather in huge numbers. |  | ","hw_hub_city_budget_title":"How much does Saint-Louis cost per day?","hw_hub_city_budget_intro":"Pick a style and a number of nights for a rough total, per person, in euros.","hw_hub_city_budget_note":"Estimates in euros, converted from CFA francs. Sleeping is based on auberge prices, since Hostelworld has no listings here.","hw_hub_city_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 9 | 5 | 3 | 6\r\nMiddle of the road | 25 | 12 | 6 | 15\r\nComfortable | 60 | 25 | 15 | 25","hw_hub_city_budget_currency":"\u20ac","hw_hub_city_hostels_title":"Hostels in Saint-Louis","hw_hub_city_hostels_intro":"Hostelworld has no listings in Saint-Louis right now. Budget travellers stay in auberges on the island, with dorm beds and breakfast.","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in Saint-Louis","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/africa\/senegal\/saint-louis\/","hw_hub_city_hostels_source":"manual","hw_hub_city_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_city_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_city_picks":"Best for solo travellers |  |  | \nBest for a party |  |  | \nQuietest |  |  | ","hw_hub_city_hostels":"","hw_hub_city_team_title":"","hw_hub_city_team_intro":"","hw_hub_city_team":"","hw_hub_city_faq_title":"Saint-Louis FAQs","hw_hub_city_faq_note":"Prices and timetables change. Check before you travel.","hw_hub_city_faqs":"How do I get from Dakar to Saint-Louis? | By sept-place from the Gare des Baux Mara\u00eechers, about CFA 5,000 a seat, or by bus. There is no passenger train.\r\nWhen is the Saint-Louis Jazz Festival? | Usually in late May or early June, for about a week. Check the dates for the current year.\r\nWhen is the best time to visit Djoudj? | From about November to April, when migrating birds gather. Go with a guided tour.\r\nAre there hostels in Saint-Louis? | Hostelworld has no listings right now. Auberges on the island have dorm beds from about CFA 6,000.\r\nDid Gustave Eiffel design the Faidherbe Bridge? | No, despite the popular story. The current bridge dates from the 1890s.\r\nIs Saint-Louis safe? | Yes, it's relaxed. Watch your valuables on transport, visit Guet N'Dar by day and walk in groups at night.\r\nHow many days do you need in Saint-Louis? | Two or three nights for the island, Guet N'Dar and a bird reserve.","hw_hub_city_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_city_cta_body":"Compare Saint-Louis hostels: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_city_cta_buttons":"Find a hostel in Senegal | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/africa\/senegal\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_city_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_city_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. 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