Google Maps zoom Harbor city Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Photo by Jevgenijs Sulins. © All rights reserved zoom Hammock on the beach Dar es Salaam Beaches, Tanzania. Photo by Chris Hartman. © All rights reserved zoom Vendor in a clothing and jewelry shop Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Photo by Ariadne van Zandbergen. © All rights reserved zoom Kigamboni Peninsula Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Photo by Ariadne van Zandbergen. © All rights reserved zoom Beach near the city Dar es Salaam Beaches, Tanzania. Photo by Sohadiszno. © All rights reserved zoom Kivukoni fish market Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Photo by Ariadne van Zandbergen. © All rights reserved zoom Bookshop at Msasani Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Photo by Ariadne van Zandbergen. © All rights reserved Previous image Next image Dar es Salaam stands on a deep natural harbor on the Tanzanian mainland, 30km/19mi southwest of Zanzibar Island. It was founded in the 1860s by Sultan Majid of Zanzibar, who also gave the city its nameRead more (which means ‘House of Peace’). It served as the capital of Tanzania from 1887 until 1973, when it was replaced by Dodoma, but it remains the country’s largest and wealthiest city. In tourist terms, this lively Indian Ocean port city is often dismissed as little more than a gateway to Zanzibar and the Southern safari circuit, but it’s worth exploring in its own right. Population ± 6 million people Time Zone Eastern Africa Time (UTC+3) Languages Kiswahili and English Currency Tanzanian shilling Safaris From Dar es Salaam First Time in Dar es Salaam? zoom City by the sea Characterful and approachable yet refreshingly untouristy, Dar es Salaam (affectionately nicknamed ‘Bongo’ by residents) has much to offer first-time visitors. The energetic city center, set on a claw-shaped peninsula at the mouth of Kivukoni Creek, boastsRead more an attractive harborfront setting. It is home to a scattering of historic 19th-century buildings, a lively fish market and the rewarding National Museum of Tanzania. It also incorporates an atmospheric old Hindu and Arab quarter whose maze of roads is lined with colorful temples, domed mosques and unpretentious family-run restaurants.Slightly farther afield, you’ll find popular recreational beaches at Oyster Bay, Msasani, Mbezi and Kunduchi. These seaside suburbs also host lively culinary scenes and a good choice of resort-like hotels. For a more pristine beach experience, hop over to the small islands of Bongoyo and Mbudya, which are protected within a marine reserve and connected to Msasani by regular boats. Best Things To Do in Dar es Salaam Explore the city’s historic center Central Dar es Salaam is studded with 19th-century architectural gems, notably the Old Boma built for Sultan Majid in 1867 and a handsome Bavarian-style Lutheran church from 1898. Revisit times past in the National Museum Informative displays at this worthwhile museum deal with early hominin evolution, medieval Swahili culture at Kilwa Kisiwani, and more recent aspects of the country’s history. Admire boldly surreal Tingatinga paintings The Tingatinga Arts Cooperative, founded in 1990, displays a colorful selection of works in this contemporary Tanzanian painting style, which was pioneered by Dar-based Edward Tingatinga in the 1970s. Enjoy seaside sundowners and dining in Msasani The prestigious suburb of Msasani sprawls across a leafy peninsula lined with upmarket hotels and restaurants. Popular west-facing sundowner spots include the Cape Town Fish Market and The Slipway. Go on safari to see iconic African wildlife Safaris out of Dar es Salaam usually focus on southern destinations such as Nyerere (Selous), Ruaha and Mikumi National Parks, and range from brief one-day tasters to full 10-day itineraries. Best Beaches in Dar es Salaam Coco Beach This untouristy suburban beach in Oyster Bay is lined with no-frills bars and restaurants catering mostly to a local crowd; it can get lively on weekends. Kunduchi Beach The main cluster of beach resorts and hotels near Dar es Salaam is found at Kunduchi and neighboring Mbezi, around 15km/9mi north of the city center. Bongoyo Island Set within a marine conservation area, idyllic Bongoyo Island is connected to the Msasani Peninsula by regular scheduled boat crossings. Nearby Mbudya Island has fewer amenities than Bongoyo but is quieter. Kipepeo Beach This laid-back beach resort on the south coast, 7km/4mi from the city center, is popular with local day visitors as well as budget travelers. Bagamoyo Bagamoyo town, an hour’s drive north from the city, has a wonderful beach. Historical sites here include the medieval Swahili ruins at Kaole and a 19th-century mission with an informative museum. Staying Safe zoom Street scene Dar es Salaam, like most cities of comparable size, is not without crime issues. In daylight hours, however, it is safe enough to walk around the city center or suburban Msasani Peninsula, provided you stay alert.Read more Avoid flaunting expensive jewelry or other valuables, and brush off any vendors or money changers who try to latch onto you.Walking elsewhere in the city, or after dark, is not advised unless you know your way around. If you want to head out to a restaurant or bar, ask your hotel to connect you with a reliable taxi driver. Cities & Urban Areas: Safety Precautions Safety & Security – Tanzania Getting There & Around zoom Julius Nyerere International Airport Flights to Dar es Salaam land at Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), which lies about 10km/6mi from the city center and 20km/12mi from the Msasani Peninsula. Tanzania’s busiest airport, this is served by roughly 20 internationalRead more airlines, as well as domestic carriers that fly to most of the country’s main towns and national parks.It is also possible to book a flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Zanzibar’s Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) or Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Kenya, all of which have connecting flights to Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR). There are also regular ferries between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam.If you are visiting Tanzania on an organized tour, airport pickups and drop-offs should be handled by the ground operator. If not, taxis are readily available at the airport. Taxis are the most common way to get around the city, and they can be hailed on the street or booked through most hotels and restaurants. Want To Go on a Safari From Dar es Salaam? Safaris From Dar es Salaam
Explore the city’s historic center Central Dar es Salaam is studded with 19th-century architectural gems, notably the Old Boma built for Sultan Majid in 1867 and a handsome Bavarian-style Lutheran church from 1898.
Revisit times past in the National Museum Informative displays at this worthwhile museum deal with early hominin evolution, medieval Swahili culture at Kilwa Kisiwani, and more recent aspects of the country’s history.
Admire boldly surreal Tingatinga paintings The Tingatinga Arts Cooperative, founded in 1990, displays a colorful selection of works in this contemporary Tanzanian painting style, which was pioneered by Dar-based Edward Tingatinga in the 1970s.
Enjoy seaside sundowners and dining in Msasani The prestigious suburb of Msasani sprawls across a leafy peninsula lined with upmarket hotels and restaurants. Popular west-facing sundowner spots include the Cape Town Fish Market and The Slipway.
Go on safari to see iconic African wildlife Safaris out of Dar es Salaam usually focus on southern destinations such as Nyerere (Selous), Ruaha and Mikumi National Parks, and range from brief one-day tasters to full 10-day itineraries.
Coco Beach This untouristy suburban beach in Oyster Bay is lined with no-frills bars and restaurants catering mostly to a local crowd; it can get lively on weekends.
Kunduchi Beach The main cluster of beach resorts and hotels near Dar es Salaam is found at Kunduchi and neighboring Mbezi, around 15km/9mi north of the city center.
Bongoyo Island Set within a marine conservation area, idyllic Bongoyo Island is connected to the Msasani Peninsula by regular scheduled boat crossings. Nearby Mbudya Island has fewer amenities than Bongoyo but is quieter.
Kipepeo Beach This laid-back beach resort on the south coast, 7km/4mi from the city center, is popular with local day visitors as well as budget travelers.
Bagamoyo Bagamoyo town, an hour’s drive north from the city, has a wonderful beach. Historical sites here include the medieval Swahili ruins at Kaole and a 19th-century mission with an informative museum.
