Things to Do at Arch 22
Complete Guide to Arch 22 in Banjul
About Arch 22
You will see Arch 22 long before you reach it. The pale concrete columns rise 35 metres above Banjul's low rooftops, catching the equatorial sun and throwing hard shadows across Independence Drive. From a distance, the arch frames a bright rectangle of sky that seems to pull you forward. Senegalese architect Pierre Goudiaby Atepa designed it.
The structure was completed in 1996 to mark the military coup of July 22, 1994. Eight massive columns support the arch. Three floors rise above, connected by spiral staircases and elevators. The interior is unexpectedly grand. From street level, it looks like a simple triumphal gate. The history is layered and contested.
It was built to celebrate Yahya Jammeh's takeover. The base once held a statue of an unknown soldier cradling a baby, flashing a V-sign, a rifle across his back. Civilian groups removed the statue after Jammeh's fall in January 2017. It now sits in Banjul's National Museum. A truth commission later recommended renaming the monument a Memorial Arch.
They wanted names of those who suffered human rights abuses during the Jammeh era inscribed there. The site carries older weight too. It was erected on a former burial ground for British colonial officers. Their remains were relocated to Jeshwang. The arch dominates Banjul's skyline. It appears on the reverse of the 100 dalasi banknote. That tells you how central it is to the country's visual identity.
What to See & Do
Second-floor observation gallery
This is where visitors linger. The open gallery wraps around the structure. It offers an unobstructed panorama of Banjul's port. You will see rust-streaked cargo ships sitting in the harbour. The dark green tangle of the Tanbi Wetland Complex stretches south. On clear mornings, the light across the mangroves is extraordinary. A flat golden wash makes the water channels gleam. You can feel the warm updraft rising through the stairwell as you step onto the gallery floor.
Textile museum on the top floor
The uppermost level holds a small but worthwhile collection of traditional Gambian textiles. Hand-dyed indigo and kola-brown fabrics hang against plain walls. The room tends to be quieter than the gallery below. The weave patterns reward close inspection. A faint smell of treated cloth lingers in the still air.
Spiral staircases and interior columns
The interior architecture surprises. Spiral staircases wind upward through the eight supporting columns. The concrete feels cool, almost damp against your hands on a hot afternoon. Shafts of sunlight cut through narrow openings at each landing. They throw geometric patterns on the floor. Elevators exist. Their availability varies.
Human rights photo exhibition
One upper floor hosts a photo exhibition documenting human rights violations under the Jammeh government. The images are sobering. They are deliberately placed inside a monument originally built to celebrate that same regime. The curatorial choice gives the visit weight beyond ordinary sightseeing.
Ground-level plaza and Independence Drive approach
The base opens onto a wide plaza. Taxi drivers idle in the shade. Charcoal smoke drifts from nearby food stalls. The arch frames a long sightline down Independence Drive. The scale of the columns only becomes apparent when you stand directly beneath them. Look straight up. The pale concrete disappears into the glare.
Practical Information
Opening Hours
Reported hours run from around 09:00 to 23:00 daily. In practice, upper floors may close earlier on quieter days. Arrive before midday. You will have the gallery to yourself. The light will be best for harbour photographs.
Tickets & Pricing
A small admission charge applies to the upper floors. It is collected at the base. The fee is inexpensive by any standard. No advance booking is needed. Walk up, pay, climb. The ground-level plaza and exterior are free. Visit anytime.
Best Time to Visit
Early morning wins for photography and comfort. The observation gallery has no air conditioning. The concrete holds heat. By early afternoon, the upper levels feel like a slow oven. Late afternoon visits have their own appeal. The light softens over the Tanbi wetlands. The river breeze picks up noticeably. Skip midday when humidity is high.
Suggested Duration
Most visitors spend 30 minutes to an hour. The textile museum and photo exhibition deserve genuine attention. The gallery views reward a few minutes of stillness. Combining Arch 22 with nearby Banjul sights? Budget about 45 minutes for the arch itself.
Getting There
Arch 22 stands at the entrance to Banjul along Independence Drive. You cannot miss it arriving by road. Shared taxis from Serrekunda or coastal tourist areas are the most common and affordable option. Drivers know the arch by name. A private taxi from the Senegambia strip costs more. It saves the stop-and-start of shared routes.
Coming from Barra on the north bank? The ferry deposits you at Banjul's port. The arch is a short walk inland, visible from the dock. The crossing takes roughly 30 minutes. It has a good first glimpse of Banjul's low skyline with the arch rising above. Local minibuses run the main route. The arch sits right on it. Flag one down without trouble.
Things to Do Nearby
The National Museum sits a short walk from the arch. It houses ethnographic collections. It also holds the unknown soldier statue that once stood at Arch 22's base. The two sites share a direct historical thread. Visit them together.
Banjul's largest market sprawls through a warren of covered stalls where the air smells of ground peanuts, dried fish, and fresh-cut fabric. It is loud, colourful, and as close to the commercial pulse of the city as you will get. A 10-minute walk from the arch.
Even if you are not crossing to Barra, the ferry terminal area is worth a wander for the dockside atmosphere: the clang of metal ramps, the diesel-tinged breeze, and the sight of overloaded vehicles inching onto the boat. It sits at the northern edge of town, close to the arch.
The dark mangrove channels visible from the arch's observation gallery are part of a protected wetland that rings the south side of Banjul. Birdwatching here is excellent, with herons, kingfishers, and waders picking through the mudflats at low tide. Best reached by taxi or an organised tour.
A small public square named for the same date the arch commemorates. It sits within walking distance and has a shaded spot to rest after the climb, with a few food vendors and the constant hum of Banjul street life around it.
Tips & Advice
Tours & Activities at Arch 22
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