The Gambia, known as the 'Smiling Coast of Africa,' is a captivating West African nation offering pristine Atlantic beaches, vibrant wildlife, and rich cultural heritage along the winding River Gambia. Despite being Africa's smallest mainland country, it packs incredible experiences from crocodile pools to UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Carved Masks
Traditional Mandinka and Wolof ceremonial masks hand-carved from mahogany or ebony. Each piece is unique with intricate geometric patterns and symbolic designs representing ancestral spirits.
Price: $10-80
Where: Brikama Craft Market, Senegambia Craft Market
Batik Fabric
Hand-dyed batik cloth in vibrant West African patterns using traditional wax-resist technique. Sold by the yard or as finished garments — ideal for dresses, shirts, or wall hangings.
Price: $5-30
Where: Albert Market Banjul, Serrekunda Market
Kora
The kora is the quintessential Gambian instrument — a 21-string bridge harp made from a calabash gourd. Smaller decorative versions and playable full-size instruments both available at craft markets.
Price: $30-200
Where: Brikama Craft Market, Tanji Village Museum
Silver Filigree Jewelry
Delicate silver bracelets, earrings, and necklaces crafted by Gambian silversmiths using traditional techniques passed down through generations. Popular as authentic West African keepsakes.
Price: $8-50
Where: Albert Market, Senegambia Craft Market Kololi
Terracotta Pottery
Hand-shaped terracotta pots, bowls, and figurines made using traditional Mandinka methods. Decorated with geometric patterns and natural pigments, these make excellent decorative pieces.
Price: $5-25
Where: Brikama Craft Market, Albert Market
Tie-Dye Garments
Brightly colored tie-dye shirts, dresses, and wraps produced by local women's cooperatives especially at Gunjur. The bold patterns and vivid colors are distinctly West African and extremely durable.
Price: $8-25
Where: Gunjur Women's Cooperative, Serrekunda Market
Gambian Paintings
Local artists produce vivid acrylic and oil paintings depicting village life, fishing scenes, baobab trees, and wildlife. Gaya Art Café in Fajara regularly features rotating exhibitions of Gambian artists.
Price: $20-150
Where: Gaya Art Café Fajara, Kololi tourist shops
Djembe Drum
Hand-crafted djembe drums made from carved wood and animal skin. Sold in various sizes from decorative mini-drums to full performance instruments. Can be tested before purchase at Brikama workshops.
Price: $25-120
Where: Brikama Craft Market
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Albert Market
Banjul's largest and most vibrant market offering an authentic West African shopping experience. Maze-like stalls sell fresh produce, spices, traditional fabrics, wood carvings, and souvenirs.
Where: Liberation Avenue, Banjul
Hours: Mon-Sat 8AM-6PM, Sun reduced hours
Serrekunda Market
Gambia's largest commercial market and the beating heart of the country's trade. A labyrinthine network of stalls selling fabrics, electronics, produce, and spices with electric local energy.
Where: Sayerr Jobe Avenue, Serrekunda
Hours: Mon-Sat 8AM-7PM
Brikama Craft Market
Gambia's finest craft market where artisans carve wood, craft batik fabrics, and create traditional instruments. Watch artisans at work before purchasing authentic handmade pieces.
Where: Brikama Town Centre
Hours: Mon-Sat 8AM-6PM
Senegambia Craft Market
Tourist-friendly craft market conveniently located at the heart of the Kololi resort area. Stalls sell a wide range of souvenirs, clothing, jewelry, and art — haggling expected and welcomed.
Where: Senegambia Strip, Kololi
Hours: Daily 9AM-7PM
Tanji Village Market
Atmospheric local market adjacent to the famous Tanji fishing beach. Fresh seafood from the daily catch, local produce, and crafts from the surrounding villages sold alongside traditional fishing equipment.
Where: Tanji Village, West Coast Region
Hours: Daily 8AM-5PM
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Senegambia Strip, Kololi
The main tourist shopping area with craft stalls, souvenir shops, tour operators, and restaurants all within easy walking distance of beach resorts. A lively strip active from morning through late evening.
Best for: Souvenirs, tourist goods, evening shopping
Kairaba Avenue, Fajara
The most developed commercial street in Greater Banjul, home to supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, boutiques, and restaurants. Features the best selection of imported goods and international products.
Best for: Groceries, pharmacies, imported goods, restaurants
Banjul City Centre
Banjul's traditional commercial heart around Albert Market and Liberation Avenue. Old colonial-era commercial buildings house fabric sellers, hardware stores, and wholesalers alongside the busy market.
Best for: Local fabrics, markets, wholesale goods
Brikama Town
Gambia's craft capital located 30 km from Kololi. The town hosts the country's best craft market and numerous artisan workshops where you can watch carvers, weavers, and instrument makers at work.
Best for: Wood carvings, drums, authentic crafts
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Westfield Shopping Complex
Serrekunda's most modern commercial complex housing a supermarket, clothing stores, electronics shops, and a food court. Popular with middle-class Gambians and expatriates for everyday shopping.
Hours: Mon-Sat 9AM-8PM, Sun 10AM-5PM
Palma Rima Junction Shops
Concentration of shops, supermarkets, and services near the main tourist areas of Kololi and Fajara. Features the best-stocked supermarkets for self-catering travellers including Kairaba Supermarket.
Hours: Daily 8AM-9PM
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is expected at all craft markets — start at 40-50% of the initial asking price and work from there
Walk away if the price is too high — vendors often call you back with a better offer
Be friendly and good-humoured throughout; aggressive haggling is considered rude
Bundle multiple items together to negotiate a better overall price
Compare prices at a few stalls before committing to a purchase — variety is wide
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Export of antique artifacts and wildlife products (including sea turtle shells, ivory, certain feathers) is illegal. Large wood carvings should have a phytosanitary certificate — reputable vendors provide this.
Tax Refund: No VAT refund scheme for tourists in Gambia.
Duty Free: Allowances on return include 1 liter spirits, 200 cigarettes, and gifts up to your home country's personal allowance threshold.
Shipping: DHL and small parcel services available from Banjul for shipping larger purchases. Major craft markets can package carvings securely for checked luggage.