Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: travel guide
Tanzania's Indian Ocean port with Swahili markets and island day trips
Tanzania's largest city and main port — bustling commercial hub with Swahili markets, museums, beaches and the ferry gateway to Zanzibar.
About Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam is Tanzania's main port and commercial centre, a warm, sprawling city on the Indian Ocean where Swahili, Arab, Indian and African influences meet. Most visitors pass through, but it has a handful of sights worth a half day.
The National Museum covers the country's history and early human finds, and the Village Museum shows traditional homes from across Tanzania. Kariakoo Market is a busy place for food and goods, and St Joseph's Cathedral and the Askari Monument mark the old centre. Bongoyo Island, a short boat ride from the coast, has beaches and snorkelling. Ferries link the city to Zanzibar.
Dar es Salaam suits travellers heading for Zanzibar or the south, and food lovers curious about Swahili cooking. The drier months, June to October and December to February, are the most comfortable.
- Country
- Tanzania
- Currency
- TZS
- Time zone
- Africa/Dar_es_Salaam
- Nearest airport
- DAR
Last updated
Top places to visit in Dar es Salaam
National Museum of Tanzania
history · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
National history museum with the Olduvai hominid fossils, Shirazi and Zanzibari heritage and colonial-era exhibits.
Village Museum (Makumbusho)
open_air_museum · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Open-air museum of traditional Tanzanian tribal dwellings with live music and dance on weekends.
Kariakoo Market
market · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Sprawling, frenetic wholesale market district — the commercial heartbeat of Dar es Salaam.
St Joseph's Cathedral
cathedral · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
German Gothic-style Catholic cathedral on the harbourfront, a striking colonial-era landmark.
Askari Monument
monument · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Bronze memorial to African soldiers of WWI at the symbolic centre of downtown Dar es Salaam.
Bongoyo Island
island · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate
Marine-reserve island 30 minutes by boat from the Slipway with snorkelling, grilled fish and a quiet beach.
Things to do
- Bongoyo Island Snorkelling Day Trip Tour · 6 h · from USD 35 per person
- Dar es Salaam City Tour Cultural · 4 h · from USD 40 per person
- Kariakoo & Kivukoni Markets Walk Cultural · 3 h · from USD 25 per person
- Village Museum Cultural Tour Cultural · 2 h · from USD 15 per person
Day trips and tours
- Dar City Tour & Bongoyo Island 8 h · from USD 75
Where to stay in Dar es Salaam
- Masaki & Oyster Bay about TZS 180 per night
Upscale peninsula with seafront hotels, restaurants and easy island-boat access.
- City Centre & Kivukoni about TZS 130 per night
Downtown near the museums, ferry terminal and colonial landmarks.
Hotels
- Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro 5-star
- Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel 5-star
- Southern Sun Dar es Salaam 4-star
- Ramada Resort Dar es Salaam 4-star
Where to eat
- Addis in Dar Ethiopian · about TZS 30,000 per person
- Samaki Samaki Seafood, International, Sushi · about TZS 40,000 per person
- Karambezi Cafe Seafood, International · about TZS 45,000 per person
Getting to Dar es Salaam
Airport: Dar Es Salaam (DAR)
How visitors arrive in Dar es Salaam
- Flight to Julius Nyerere Airport By air from International / domestic hubs · common
Julius Nyerere International Airport serves the city and is the main air gateway; roads from it can be congested. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Ferry from Zanzibar By ferry from Zanzibar · common
Ferries from Zanzibar use the terminal in the city centre. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Long-distance bus to Ubungo By road from Upcountry cities · common
Most long-distance buses use Ubungo Terminal west of the city, and most leave early in the morning. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Train (SGR, TRC, TAZARA) By train from Inland Tanzania / Zambia · possible
Dar es Salaam is Tanzania's main rail hub, with the new SGR station separate from the old central station, plus TAZARA to Zambia. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Uber or Bolt from Julius Nyerere Airport
Uber and Bolt both operate in Dar es Salaam, including pickups at Julius Nyerere International Airport, about 10 km from the centre. Allow extra time for heavy traffic. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Taxi or hotel pickup
Hotels often arrange airport pickups on request. Other taxis are unregistered with no fixed fares, so settle the price before leaving. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Daladala minibus
Daladala minibuses marked for the city centre go to Posta. They are crowded and slow in traffic. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the railway station to the centre
- SGR, TAZARA and central stations
Three separate rail stations exist: the central station for TRC trains, TAZARA for the Zambia line, and the SGR station on Pugu Road. Check which one your ticket names. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the port to the centre
- Zanzibar ferry terminal
Ferries to and from Zanzibar use the Zanzibar ferry terminal in the city. Buy tickets only from reputable operators, as ticket scams are reported. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Ferry
Ferries cross the harbour to Kigamboni and also connect Dar es Salaam with Zanzibar.
- Minibus main way to get around
Dala-dala minibuses are the most common form of public transport in Dar es Salaam and gather at terminals such as Ubungo and Makumbusho.
- Ride Hail
Uber and Bolt both operate in Dar es Salaam, including trips from the airport.
- Tuktuk useful for some trips
Bajaj three-wheeled auto-rickshaws are a popular local transport option in Dar es Salaam, alongside minibuses and motorcycle taxis.
- Walking
Paying
- Unregistered taxis have no fixed fares, so agree the fare before you get in, or use Uber or Bolt. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Safety and scams to avoid
Unmetered taxi overcharging
Julius Nyerere Airport & city centre
Taxi drivers quote inflated fares to tourists as there are no meters, especially from the airport.
How to avoid it: Use the Bolt or Uber app, or agree the fare before getting in. Airport to city is roughly TZS 40,000-60,000.
Best time to visit Dar es Salaam
- Jan 32°C
- Feb 33°C
- Mar 32°C
- Apr 31°C
- May 30°C
- Jun 30°C
- Jul 30°C
- Aug 30°C
- Sep 31°C
- Oct 32°C
- Nov 32°C
- Dec 32°C
More in Tanzania
Frequently asked questions about Dar es Salaam
- What are the main places to visit in Dar es Salaam?
- Places covered in our Dar es Salaam guide include National Museum of Tanzania, Village Museum (Makumbusho), Kariakoo Market, St Joseph's Cathedral, Askari Monument.
- Where should I stay in Dar es Salaam?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Dar es Salaam: Masaki & Oyster Bay, City Centre & Kivukoni.
- How do I get around Dar es Salaam?
- Ways to get around Dar es Salaam covered in our guide: Ferry, Minibus, Ride-hailing app, Tuk-tuk.
- What scams should I watch out for in Dar es Salaam?
- Scams reported to us for Dar es Salaam include Unmetered taxi overcharging. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Dar es Salaam?
- Average daytime highs in Dar es Salaam run from 30°C in Jul to 33°C in Feb.
- Which airport is nearest to Dar es Salaam?
- The nearest airport to Dar es Salaam has the code DAR.