Beyond Beaches: 6 Things To Do In Saly, Senegal

things to do in Saly Senegal
Melanie
Melanie 
Published
| 3 min read

Dubbed as “the Riviera of Senegal”, Saly originally served as a Portuguese trading post before it gradually evolved into a tropical paradise that draws thousands of tourists yearly. While its moniker may conjure images of perfectly manicured beaches, Saly is a curious combination of luxurious accommodations and facilities and rustic surroundings, the mix of which only adds to its charm. While it is one of, if not the top tourist drawer of West Africa, its beaches remain relatively uncrowded all year round, making this the perfect destination for those who want to enjoy the sea in a quiet setting. At the same time, it also serves as a good jump-off point to the equally beautiful islands of Senegal, including Joal-Fadiouth. Check out this list of the top things to do in Saly, Senegal, that will take you to attractions beyond the beaches.

1. Admire the local artwork at Musée Khelcom


Musée Khelcom is a modern art museum that primarily showcases the artwork of local artists. The eclectic collection, which also includes a few artifacts, depicts the unique and colorful heritage and culture of Senegal. If you’re an art lover, or if you’re someone who wants to find out more about the place that you’re visiting, make it a point to include this destination in your itinerary.

Musée Khelcom

Address: Route de Saly, M'bour, Senegal

Visited this place?

2. Enjoy a romantic meal at Restaurant Riviera

Décor de la st Valentin au restaurant la Riviera a SALY..

Posted by Jaber Ali on Wednesday, 17 February 2016

If you’re in Saly for a romantic holiday, be sure to arrange a reservation at Restaurant Riviera. The live music only adds to the ambiance. In terms of food options, this establishment serves African, European, Italian, and Vietnamese cuisine. Cocktails and other alcoholic beverages are served here as well. You can take your pick on where you want to sit: inside the restaurant, outside, or on the terrace.

Restaurant Riviera

Address: Route de Saly, Centre Commercial du Carrousel, Saly, Senegal

Facebook page: Restaurant Riviera

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 8am - 2am (closed from Mon - Fri)

Visited this place?

3. Drive down to Galerie Mémoires Africaines


Galerie Mémoires Africaines is another destination for art aficionados. This art gallery features works that depict African culture dating back to the neolithic era to the present. Some of the works here are for sale, so if you’re looking for a meaningful souvenir to bring home with you, be sure to visit this. The art gallery can make arrangements for shipping upon request.

Galerie Mémoires Africaines

Address: Route Saly-Ngaparou, Saly, Senegal

Website: Galerie Mémoires Africaines

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 7:30pm (closed on Sun)

Visited this place?

4. Dance the night away at R.D.C.

R.D.C. DISCOTHEQUE FAIT LE SHOW

Posted by Gerard Guillaume Saly Rdc on Saturday, 27 August 2016

Saly may be relatively quieter compared to other tropical destinations, but this does not mean that it has no nightlife. R.D.C. is one of the most popular discotheques in the area. Besides featuring a dance floor where guests can showcase their dance skills, it also features special events that visitors can participate in. The music may either be live or churned out by a DJ. Should you get hungry after a night of dancing, there’s a restaurant on the second floor of the discotheque.

R.D.C.

Address: Stade de Saly Tapée, Route Saly-Ngaparou, Saly, Senegal

Website: R.D.C.

Visited this place?

5. Play a few games at Casino Terrou Saly

Slot machines
Source: Pixabay

Want to see if Lady luck will favor you while you’re in Saly? If so, head over to Casino Terrou Saly to try your hand at a few games of poker or blackjack, or else test the slot machines there. Once you’ve had your fill of the games in the casino, head over to the on-site restaurant to enjoy a sumptuous meal.

Casino Terrou Saly

Address: Rond point Diakhao, M'bour, Senegal

Website: Casino Terrou Saly

Opening hours: 12pm - 4am (daily)

Visited this place?

6. Golf de Saly

Posted by Loc a Dakar on Saturday, 26 November 2016

Traveling to Saly but worried that you can’t scratch your golf itch while on holiday? Don’t worry, because you can play a game or 2 at Golf de Saly, an 18-hole course designed by Belgian architect Vic Bernstein. The fairways were designed for casual players, so even beginners can have fun trying this sport during their stay in Saly. Because this course features plenty of trees, a lot of wildlife have now made the area their home.

Golf de Saly

Address: BP 145, Nagaparou, Senegal

Website: Golf de Saly

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Visited this place?

Kick back and relax at Saly

Plage-Saly
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Abrahami used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Saly is a great destination for those who want to enjoy a luxurious holiday in an idyllic setting. With its beautiful beaches and its five-star accommodations, it’s not hard to see why tourists make it a point to travel here yearly to kick back and relax. There are, however, other activities that you can enjoy in the area besides those you typically enjoy in or by the sea. Use this list as a guide to find out what other things you can do here while on holiday.

Visited this place?
Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Melanie is a freelance travel writer. She considers freelancing for Trip 101 to be a combination of two of the things she loves: writing and traveling. She has gone sightseeing with family,...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore Saly
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.