goree_island

Dakar, senegal

Gorée Island, located off the coast of Dakar, Senegal, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its historical significance in the transatlantic slave trade. From the 15th to the 19th century, it was a major center for the slave trade, controlled by the Portuguese, Dutch, English, and French. The House of Slaves (Maison des Esclaves), with its Door of No Return, is the island’s most famous landmark, serving as a memorial to the millions of Africans forcibly taken to the Americas. Today, the island is a peaceful cultural hub with colonial architecture, museums, markets, and art galleries. Accessible via a 20-minute ferry from Dakar, it is best visited year-round, with entry fees starting at $5–$10.