Holidays to Pointe Sarene shine a spotlight on an up-and-coming star of Senegal’s beach-heavy holiday scene.

New on the scene

As far as west African holiday hotspots go, Pointe Sarene’s the new kid on the block. Just a few years ago, this place was little more than a sleepy fishing village. These days, it’s quickly becoming one of Senegal’s standout places to stay – there are more swanky villas and five-star hotels than you can shake a beach towel at. It’s all thanks to investments totalling around £150 million in tourism in the last 10-or-so years.

Brilliant beaches

Pointe Sarene’s camel-tinted beach unravels over a whopping half-a-dozen miles, so there’s more than enough sand to flake out on. The section that cuts past the village centre still has an unmistakeably African feel to it – hand-painted boats bob around just offshore. Further south, there’s little more than a speckling of swaying palms keeping the sand company.

Call in on the capital

When it comes to daytrip destinations, Dakar’s a firm favourite. Senegal’s capital’s just a couple of hours away in a cab, and as the country’s biggest city, it lines up shedloads of sights. Take the open-air markets, for example. They’re the best spots to nab yourself some Senegalese street grub, like spicy roasted goat meat. Once you’ve filled your belly, make a beeline for one of the heritage museums to get a load of the local culture.

At a Glance

  • Glug cocktails next to a sea-view pool
  • Spend lazy days lounging on kitten-soft sands
  • Nose around heritage museums on a daytrip to Dakar