Banjul

Banjul sits on a low island at the mouth of the River Gambia and holds only around thirty thousand people, which makes it one of the smallest capitals in Africa and smaller than the Serekunda conurbation next door. Albert Market runs through the middle of it, Arch 22 stands over the entrance road, and the colonial grid of low buildings around McCarthy Square is much as it was.

What you actually see

• Albert Market - the covered market running through the centre of town.
• Arch 22 - the tall gateway arch over the road into the city.
• McCarthy Square - the colonial-era open space at the centre.
• The island setting - a capital on low ground at the river mouth.

When to go

November to February is the cool dry season. The rains fall June to October and parts of the island flood. The market is busiest in the morning.

Honest expectations

The city is run down in places and much of the government has moved out to the mainland. Half a day covers it. Heat and humidity outside the cool months are heavy.

Nearby

Serekunda is west, and Fort Bullen is across the river.