There are no cars on Gorée — the island is small enough to walk end to end in twenty minutes — and the lanes between the old colonial houses are one of the great pleasures of the visit. Ochre, pink, and ultramarine stone walls drip with bougainvillea, doors are painted in bright greens and blues, and goats and children share the alleys with the occasional tourist.
Wander without a plan. The route up the rue Saint-Germain to Le Castel is the most picturesque, and the small Place du Gouvernement with its mango trees is a good place to sit. Many of the houses are private homes — be quiet and respectful as you pass.