Banjul, Gambia
St Mary’s Island
Where the mighty Gambia River enters the Atlantic Ocean, is home to one of Africa’s smallest capital cities. Banjul is more authentically African than any of the nearby coastal resorts – and even if you’re staying on one of the Gambia’s dazzling beaches, a trip into the heart of the town, with its minarets, mosques and cathedrals, is time well spent.
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Destination overview
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| Language: | English | |
| Currency: | Dalasi | |
| Time zone: | GMT | |
| Flight Time: | 6 hours 25 | |
| Holiday type: | Beach | |
| Weather: | Average maximum temperature: 32°C Rainfall: 459mm a year |
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Must see:
Head to Old Town for a rich mix of inner city Africa, where decaying colonial architecture meets chaotic modern additions and conversation quickly gets lost amid the street-merchants and hubbub. All human life is here.
Must eat at:
If it’s local flavour you’re after, queue with your neighbours at the Ali Baba Snack Bar on Nelson Mandela Street for mean grilled meat pitas and falafel sarnies.
Must be there for:
With a long, hot, dry season, there’s plenty of time to visit Gambia. The weather is at its best between late November and early June, when you can expect warm, dry days and glorious sunshine.
Well-travelled tips:
If you like your holidays to be dry, then avoid August and September in the middle of the rainy season, when the humidity is high and the heavens open.
The legendary Albert Market can get very busy at its peak – so if you want to avoid the crownds, early mornings or late afternoons are best.
Visa:
British citizens do not normally need a visa when travelling to The Gambia for less than 28 days. As conditions apply, more information
