Banjul
Go to Banjul for a compact West African capital at the Gambia River mouth, with a large market and a short ferry ride across the river.
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Banjul is the capital of The Gambia, a small West African country built around the Gambia River. The city sits on St. Mary's Island, where the river meets the Atlantic, so the harbor, the ferry terminal and the main streets lie close together. The city was called Bathurst until 1973, and older maps and records still use that name. Most visitors pass through on the way to the coast or the river.
The main draw is Albert Market, a dense market of textiles, crafts and food stalls where locals shop for daily needs. The National Museum and the waterfront near the ferry are the other stops worth your time. Banjul is small enough to cover on foot in a day, so it works for a visit to a working capital. Plan a half day to a full day, and go between November and May, the cooler and drier months. The rest of the year is hotter and more humid.
Banjul in five
- Set up mobile data before you landMaps and calls to your lodging need data from the first hour. Set up an eSIM or a local SIM before you fly.Phones and eSIM
- Carry dalasi in small notesThe Gambian dalasi (GMD) is the currency. Taxis, ferry fares and small stalls expect cash, so break large notes at your hotel or a bank.Money and costs
- Agree the taxi fare before you get inTaxis in Banjul usually have no meter, so settle the price with the driver first. Ask your lodging what a typical fare is for your route.
- Plan the Barra ferry as a full morningThe ferry from Banjul to Barra is the crossing to the north bank of the river. Build in waiting time and check the schedule locally before you go.Getting around
- Cover shoulders and knees at mosquesMost people in The Gambia are Muslim, and visitors are expected to dress modestly at mosques and in many streets. Remove shoes where asked and ask before you photograph people.
Need to know
- Currency
- Dalasi (GMD)
- Entry
- Visa rules depend on passport; check before you book
- Emergency
- 117 police; ask your lodging for an ambulance
- Tipping
- Small tip appreciated, not required
- Time
- UTC+0, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry, cool, dusty
- FebruaryDry, hazy
- MarchHot, dry
- AprilHottest, dry
- MayHot, rains near
- JuneRainy season
- JulyRainy, humid
- AugustRainy, humid
- SeptemberRainy, humid
- OctoberRains ending
- NovemberDry, pleasant
- DecemberDry, dusty
Right now in Banjul
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 78%
- Wind
- 26 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 12%
Banjul
01:34 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today32°26°12%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Wed32°26°8%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Thu34°27°2%Thursday: Cloudy. High 34°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri37°27°0%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 37°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat37°26°0%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 37°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun33°27°0%Sunday: Cloudy. High 33°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 01:15 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 74.64 GMD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Barraabout 30 min by ferry, plus waiting timeA village on the north bank of the river, reached by ferry.Read the guide
- Kachikally crocodile pool, Bakauabout 20 to 30 min by taxiA sacred pool with crocodiles, a short ride from the centre.Read the guide
- Senegambia beachesabout 30 to 45 min by carThe resort coast with hotels, restaurants and sandy beaches.Read the guide
Before you go to Banjul
Rules for Banjul, checked
- Check entry requirements for your passport before you book, since visa rules differ by nationality.
- Ask permission before photographing government buildings, military sites and police posts in Banjul.
- Cover shoulders and knees at mosques, and remove your shoes when staff or worshippers ask you to.
Plan around Banjul
Regions, beaches and the river for a Gambia trip
Read the guideGetting aroundFerries, taxis and car hire for Banjul
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical daily spending
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules to check before you book
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels and guesthouses in and around Banjul
Read the guideBanjul FAQ
Is Banjul worth visiting?
Yes, for a short stop on a Gambia trip. Albert Market and Arch 22 are walkable, and the river front is quieter than the beach resorts. It has fewer sights than the coast, so one or two nights is enough.
How many days do you need in Banjul?
One or two days covers the city. Use the second day for the Barra crossing or the Kachikally crocodile pool in Bakau, a short taxi ride away.
How do you get from the airport to Banjul?
Banjul International Airport is at Yundum, outside the city. A pre-arranged hotel transfer or a taxi is the usual way in, so agree the fare before you leave the terminal.
What should you wear in Banjul?
Light, loose clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Cover up more at mosques and in quieter residential streets.
Are the beaches in Banjul?
No. Banjul is the capital at the mouth of the river. The beach resorts lie to the south along the coast, a drive away.