Visitors can easily spend lazy days on the beaches here. One of the best for tourists right in the city is the man made beach near the Atlantic hotel on the Marina Parade. The main resort area is Banjul Beach and located about two miles west of the city. Banjul Beach has golden sands and lots of water sports

It's worth venturing out of Banjul as going further afield, you will find fine, pure, white sand beaches at Cape Point, Kotu and Kololi. These beaches are all under 30 minutes away by car and are ideal for relaxing and swimming in the ocean.

For even more serene beaches, head southward again to Gunjur, Sanyang, and Kartong for clean sands and decent waves.

The heritage destinations of James Island (a UNESCO site and a former British fort) and Juffureh (the town which Alex Haley mentions in Roots, the area is known for its descendants of Kunta Kinte as well as a museum) are day trips away but easily reachable from Banjul.

There is a 'Roots tour,' which travels up the Gambia River by boat and takes passengers to the places where native people were captured and enslaved before being shipped off to the Americas.

The Gambia doesn't offer the traditional African safari but it does have amazing birdwatching trips at the Abuko Nature Reserve which is easily accessible and home to many indigenous African birds.

The River Gambia National Park -- also known as Baboon Island -- is comprised of five islands with a sanctuary for primates, reptiles and birds and is perfect to see these animals in lovely surroundings. The pristine Pirang Forest Park, the Makasutu Culture Forest and the ancient burial grounds at Wassu are all options for getting out and about in the region.