Restaurants in Banjul offer international style menus. You can also try local dishes such as domodah (a peanut stew served with either meat or fish) and benachin (a spicy risotto). For a simple Gambian meal of rice and sauce, you can visit the market stalls. For a quick snack, street vendors sell fruit, nuts and homemade fritters.

One of the most omnipresent aspects of visiting the Gambia is all the music that you will hear. Music here is an integral part of daily life, whether it is pop music heard on the streets, emanating from bars, or reggae blasting out of cars. The West African drumming troupes with their poly-rhythmic, hypnotic sounds are impossible to resist. Music is as part of The Gambia as nature, and you will undoubtedly experience the sounds of the region as music here is ubiquitous and unique.

Bajul city market is, like most large West African markets, very colourful, busy, and sociable. Locals come here to buy spices, fish, mangoes and vegetables. Tourists can find plenty of craft stalls to peruse handicrafts plus handmade musical instruments such as djembes are worth purchasing here as are local textiles such as damask and batiks which are made into tablecloths, napkins, shirts, and dresses. Wood carvings at the Banjul Market are lovingly crafted and often very unique. They make a perfect souvenir.

Accommodations in The Gambia are not quite as luxurious as other more touristy destinations. But there are many options here including large resort hotels with pools, eco-lodges, villas and beach hotels.