Top 10 Best Things to Do in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

The bustle of Tanzania’s biggest city is combined with a pleasant, laid-back pace of life in Dar es Salaam. This is not the kind of place where you see a lot of other tourists, in contrast to other East African cities. Because of this, it’s a fantastic chance to see urban African life as the natives experience it.

Explore its museums, take in its outdoor attractions, and get involved in its street-food and market scenes. All of this and more can be found in our guide to things to do in Dar es Salaam.

1. Browse the marketplaces

Kariakoo Market is the only place to truly experience the sights and scents of a Tanzanian market. It is dispersed around several crowded city blocks and is stocked with everything from food and clothing to household supplies. Mwenge Carvers’ Market, which is more touristy yet contains more crafts, offers a great mix of authentic traditional products and tourist-oriented things.

2. Locate the Greatest Street Cuisine

Dar es Salaam has good food, and the inhabitants’ favorite food is a street BBQ. At the fragrant Barbecue House beside Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road, lines develop every evening. Locals order beef, chicken, or fish here, and it’s served with naan bread with a choice of tamarind sauce, coconut chutney, or chilies. Zanzibari marinades are a feature of the comparable offer at Mamboz Corner, where Morogoro Road and Libya Street converge. Tunisia Road is transformed into a barbecue cook-off and live entertainment venue four times a year for the Nyama Choma Festival (Swahili meaning grilled meats).

3. Go to the Fish Market

A true Dar experience is the Kivukoni Fish Market, particularly early in the morning when fishermen sell their fish and other seafood to neighborhood eateries and home cooks. Local color, sellers yelling to be heard, and some fairly strong odors make for an amazing experience. You will like the experience even if you are not looking to cook for supper. It’s among the least crowded activities in Dar es Salaam.

4. Visit a beach

Dar es Salaam residents enjoy spending time at the beach, and since the weather is always pleasant, it’s a great option when you’re in town. There are many options, but one of the most popular is Coco Beach, which is located north of town on the Msasani Peninsula. It provides the opportunity to socialize with locals while taking in the live music, food vendors, and roving minstrels selling beer and coconuts. Quieter and as valuable are the beaches of Bongoyo Island.

5. Take a Dip in the Water

An underappreciated spot for diving, snorkeling, and simply getting away from the city to cruise around stunning nearby islands like Bongoyo, Pangavini, and Mbudya is the Indian Ocean off Dar. The Dar es Salaam Yacht Club offers sailing and fishing trips. Once you’re back on land, you may use the club’s amenities, which include a playground for kids and a swimming pool, if you can get a temporary membership.

6. Explore the Museums in the City

Among the top attractions in Dar es Salaam are the city’s top museums, which are Tanzania’s capital in all but name. The National Museum, which offers a fascinating tour of Tanzanian history, is the largest and best.

Famous archeological discoveries from Olduvai Gorge are the starting point, followed by the slave trade, colonial times, and even the Rolls-Royce of former president Julius Nyerere. Village sceneries from across the nation have been recreated at the Village Museum, complete with live cultural performances and artisans at work to make it come to life.

7. Appreciate the Art

One of the top galleries for modern art in East Africa is Nafasi Art Space. Here, in the studios hewn from a derelict industrial warehouse, you may observe artists at work. Most evenings feature live performances, workshops, and displays.

8. Take a City Center Tour

There is no better way to learn about Dar than by taking one of Afri Roots’ tours. The excursions, which are primarily led by bicycle, offer an excellent balance of meeting locals and learning about the city’s main historical sites. Even a tour devoted to nightlife is available. It’s a great way to get into Dar’s vibrant nightlife.

9. Explore the Gardens of Botany

This haven of peaceful vegetation, which was established in the last years of the 1800s, is still a haven from the bustle and commotion. Additionally, it serves as a haven for both native and exotic flora, such as vibrant crimson flame trees, palm trees, and cycads.

10. Take in the Goat Racing Events

The city hosts the Goat Races every September, where the best goats in the country compete in the Green along Kenyatta Drive. Exuberant locals and foreigners place bets and support their charges, so it’s all good clean fun (unless you’re a local employee who has to clean up after yourself). Your losses will go to local organizations if your billy goat doesn’t win.