🇬🇲 Gambia

Banjul: what to see and whether to move there

Updated 7 October 2026

Banjul is Gambia's tiny island capital at the mouth of the Gambia River, a slow-paced colonial-era centre small enough to explore entirely on foot in a day.

Sight

Cotton Tree

The giant silk-cotton tree at the city's entrance, said to mark the very spot where Banjul was founded - the capital's enduring emblem.

Sight

Arch 22

A 36-metre arch commemorating the 1994 coup, with a rooftop viewing deck and café overlooking the whole city.

Market

Albert Market

Banjul's largest market, dating to the 19th century, a maze of stalls selling fabric, amulets, spices, and street food.

Museum

Gambia National Museum

A small but rich museum tracing Gambian history through art, musical instruments, and artefacts of the slave trade.

Sight

King Fahad Mosque

The city's twin-minaret central mosque, built in 1988 and able to hold up to 6,000 worshippers.

Park

MacCarthy Square

A colonial-era cricket ground in the city centre, now a quiet green pocket among the government buildings.

District

Half Die

A historic quarter that survived a 19th-century cholera outbreak, now a dense tangle of colonial facades and local markets.

Sight

Banjul-Barra Ferry

The ferry crossing over the Gambia River mouth, the liveliest way to see the capital from the water and watch harbour life unfold.

Café

Arch 22 Rooftop Café

A breezy café atop Arch 22 with sweeping views over the old town's rooftops.

Restaurant

Ocean Bay Hotel Restaurant

A seafront restaurant serving Gambian and international dishes, a convenient stop after touring the centre.

Is it worth moving to Banjul in 2026

Banjul is the capital of The Gambia, mainland Africa's smallest country, stretched along the Gambia River. The capital itself is small and sits on an island at the river mouth, while foreigners' lives centre on the Atlantic coast 20-30 minutes away. The Gambia is English-speaking, calm and inexpensive, attracting staff of international organisations, tourism entrepreneurs and European retirees who spend the winter here.

What it costs to live in Banjul

Item	Per month
One-bedroom flat in the centre, average	~$90-110
Flat for foreigners on the coast	~$210-350
Utilities for an 85 m² flat	~$32
Home internet	~$47

Prices come from two price databases and guides for newcomers for 2026, with dalasi converted at the Central Bank of The Gambia rate of 5 October 2026, 72.33 dalasi per dollar. Internet and imported goods cost more than low local housing prices suggest.

Where to live

Banjul - the port, Albert Market and government offices, rarely chosen for living.
Fajara and Bakau - older oceanside districts with embassies and villas.
Kololi and Kotu - the tourist strip with hotels, restaurants and beaches.
Bijilo and Brufut - quieter and newer, guarded complexes by the sea.

Entry, work and residence

Entry requirements for Russian citizens should be checked before travel, as rules differ by country and change. For long-term living a residence permit is obtained, and work requires a work permit, usually through an employer or your own company. There are no separate programmes for investors or remote workers.

Taxes in The Gambia

Income tax is progressive: the first 36,000 dalasi of income a year is tax-free, then the rate rises in 5% steps for each further 10,000 dalasi - 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% - and income above 76,000 dalasi is taxed at 25%. Salary tax is withheld by the employer.

Work and economy

The economy rests on tourism, agriculture, remittances and re-exports through the port of Banjul. The tourist season runs from November to April, when Europeans arrive. Foreigners work in international organisations, hospitality, trade and development projects.

Climate and everyday life

The dry season from November to May is warm and sunny, and the rainy season from June to October is hot and humid. The language is English, while Mandinka, Wolof and other languages are spoken day to day. Power supply is intermittent, so houses with generators are valued. Healthcare is limited, and people go to neighbouring Dakar or Europe for complex treatment. A yellow fever vaccination may be required and malaria prevention is needed.

Getting there

The international airport is at Yundum, about 25 km from the capital. Regular flights link The Gambia with Brussels, Casablanca, Dakar and other West African cities, and charters fly from Europe in the tourist season. From Russia people connect. Overland the country is surrounded by Senegal, and a bridge across the Gambia River has shortened the route between north and south.

What to see

Kunta Kinteh Island, with the remains of a fort linked to the history of the slave trade, is a UNESCO site. The coast has Abuko reserve with monkeys and birds, the sacred Kachikally crocodile pool and the Bijilo monkey park. The Gambia is one of West Africa's best birdwatching destinations, and boat trips run up the river.

Safety, money and connectivity

The Gambia is considered one of the region's calmest countries, but beaches and tourist areas have persistent street vendors and petty theft. Cards are accepted in hotels and large supermarkets; elsewhere cash dalasi is needed. Mobile service and mobile internet work in coastal areas, and home internet is expensive.

Pitfalls

Power and water interruptions.
Limited healthcare.
Expensive internet and imported goods.
No residence programmes without a job or business.
Malaria risk in the rainy season.

Murblz specialists check work and business documents and suggest more convenient countries for living in Africa.

FAQ

What is income tax in The Gambia?

0% up to 36,000 dalasi a year, then 5% to 20% in steps, and 25% on income above 76,000 dalasi.

Where do foreigners live in The Gambia?

On the coast: in Fajara, Bakau, Kololi, Kotu, Bijilo and Brufut.

How much does housing for foreigners cost in The Gambia?

A flat on the coast costs about $210-350 a month; the city-average one-bedroom about $90-110.

What language is spoken in The Gambia?

The official language is English.

When is the tourist season in The Gambia?

From November to April, in the dry season.

Can I get residence in The Gambia without a job?

There are no separate programmes; residence and work permits are arranged through an employer or your own company.

How do I get to Banjul?

Via Brussels, Casablanca or Dakar, with seasonal charters from Europe; the airport is at Yundum.

What is the climate in The Gambia?

A dry, sunny season from November to May and a hot, humid rainy season from June to October.

What currency is used in The Gambia?

The dalasi, about 72 per dollar; cards are accepted in hotels and large shops.

What is there to see in The Gambia?

UNESCO-listed Kunta Kinteh Island, Abuko reserve, the Kachikally crocodile pool and the Bijilo monkey park.

Is Banjul worth visiting?

Banjul itself is small and sleepy - Arch 22, Albert Market, the national museum and the Cotton Tree take half a day. Most visitors stay on the coast around Serrekunda, Bakau and Kololi. The Gambia is about beaches, the river and birdlife rather than its capital.

When is the best time to visit the Gambia?

November to April is the dry season and the best window for beaches and birdwatching. July to September brings rain and high humidity, and some hotels close. European charter flights arrive in winter, so accommodation costs more in peak season.

Is the Gambia safe?

It is considered one of the calmer countries in West Africa, and serious crime against visitors is rare. The usual annoyances are pickpockets, persistent unofficial guides and small-scale scams. Avoid walking empty beaches alone after dark.

Is the Gambia cheap?

It is one of the most affordable destinations in the region, with local food, transport and markets costing very little. Hotels in the tourist strip and anything imported cost considerably more. The currency is the dalasi, cash rules and card acceptance is patchy.