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Banjul — travel, stays & events guide
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Banjul, GambiaOpen-Meteo forecast.
Banjul city overview
Banjul is a city in Gambia shaped by its region, population, local economy, landmarks, climate and civic history. This overview summarizes the city itself: where it sits, what defines it, which places anchor its identity and why it matters within the wider country.
City facts
Known forBanjul, Capital city in Gambia, Banjul planning base 3, Banjul planning base 4
RegionGambiaGambia
Time zoneAfrica/Banjullocal time
Founded1651historical origin
City history
In 1651, Banjul was leased by the Duke of Courland and Semigallia (German: Herzog von Kurland und Semgallen) from the King of Kombo, as part of the Curonian colonization.
On 23 April 1816, Tumani Bojang, the King of Kombo, ceded Banjul Island to Alexander Grant, the British commandant, in exchange for an annual fee of 103 iron bars.
Bathurst was officially declared the capital of the Protectorate of the Gambia in 1889, leading to an increase in population.
Islamic schools called dara were founded in Bathurst from its early years, resulting in the foundation of the first Muslim court in 1905, in addition to the increasingly more sophisticated British legal framework.
Young men from rural farming villages would move to Bathurst to work at the Public Works Department (established in 1922) or docks.
The town was an important Allied naval and air hub during World War II, resulting in an increase in population from 14,370 in 1931 to 21,154 in 1944.
After independence, the town's name was changed to Banjul in 1973.
On 22 July 1994, Banjul was the scene of a bloodless military coup d'état in which President Sir Dawda Jawara was overthrown and replaced by Yahya Jammeh.
There are several etymologies for 'Banjul.' One traditional history recounts that Bandjougou, son of Barafin, came to the island after fleeing the attacks of Soumaoro Kante on the Manding region.
Through the 20th century, it became an even greater attraction for Gambians due to the availability of jobs fuelled by British colonial activities as well as social activities such as cinemas.
His name became attached to the island, and over time changed to 'Bandjoulou'.
Grant founded Banjul as a trading post and base, constructing houses and barracks for controlling entrance to the Gambia estuary and suppressing the slave trade.
Mary's Island and named the new town Bathurst, after the 3rd Earl Bathurst, Secretary of State for War and the Colonies at the time.
The town became the centre of British activity in the Gambia Colony and Protectorate.
Worth seeing
Banjul
Banjul is a practical Banjul planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Capital city in Gambia
Capital city in Gambia is a practical Banjul planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Banjul planning base 3
Banjul planning base 3 is a practical Banjul planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Banjul planning base 4
Banjul planning base 4 is a practical Banjul planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Banjul planning base 5
Banjul planning base 5 is a practical Banjul planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Banjul planning base 6
Banjul planning base 6 is a practical Banjul planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Stay overview
Compare Banjul before booking Banjul hotels. Start with the places you will repeat most, then check airport timing, parking, nightly price and event demand before choosing the final base.
Hotels & areas
Compare accommodation options in and around Banjul by area, not only by nightly price. A cheaper room can become expensive when airport transfers, parking, attraction routes, late arrivals or event-week demand add time and cost.
Compare stays in Banjul, GambiaFlights & airports
Main airport TBC arrival plan
- Banjul airport accessMain gateway TBC.
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Rental cars
Banjul day-trip car use
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Compare rental carsTravel tips
Best time to visit
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Transport notes
Choose a base around the trips you will repeat most: airport, station, old town, waterfront, venue district or day-trip route.
Crowds
Prices can jump around festivals, conventions, school holidays, cruise days, ski weeks, race weekends and large sports events.
Booking detail
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Upcoming events
No upcoming Banjul events in the shared event index yet.