Tourist Places to Visit in Dar es Salaam
Tanzania

Interesting Tourist Places to See and Things to Do in Dar es Salaam

Mustafa Natalwala 3105 Views

Dar es Salaam also known as Dar, is the largest city in Tanzania and also the nation’s financial heart. The name literally means “Place of Peace”. It is situated on the Swahili coast facing the Indian Ocean. Some of the best places to visit in Dar es Salaam are located along the coast. It is a city popular for its beaches and islands. There are peaceful beaches with incredible views of the serene beauty of the ocean and the hills. On the other hand, there are beaches and bay areas for fun things to do in Dar es Salaam like partying, water sports, shopping, dining, street food, and more. The same is true for the islands, they are amazing places to chill and you get to enjoy a nice boat ride to get there. One of the biggest Dar es Salaam tourist attractions is island hopping and snorkeling. The islands especially are known for a variety of marine life close to the shore.

The city has had a reputation as a major port for a long time. Throughout its history, the port has been frequented by Indian, Arab, and European merchants and travelers. The town of Bagamoyo will tell you all about the significance of this port. It is among the most interesting things to see in Dar es Salaam. There are several other historical sites to visit in and around the city. Though you can learn a lot about the city as well as the country at the National Museum and the Village museum. These two Dar es Salaam attractions not only cover the history of the region but also delve deep into the culture and traditions of the numerous tribes which call it home.

Speaking of culture, the region’s art is among the most unique things you would ever come across and there are different varieties of it. If you are someone who likes to take back souvenirs, there is a lot you can purchase during your trip to Dar es Salaam. The city is famous for Tanzanite stones, traditional jewelry, handicraft items, woodcraft items, artworks, painted fabrics, spices, and more. We have listed a few of the places you can explore during Dar es Salaam travel to find these items.

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Explore The Best 19 Tourist Attractions in Dar es Salaam

1. National Museum & House of Culture of Tanzania

This museum provides an insight into the natural, cultural and political history of the country. It is one of the best places to visit in Dar es Salaam to understand the region and its people before you explore other attractions. You will need two hours to explore this museum.

I suggest you should book a Dar es Salaam City Tour, which covers National Museum and Village Museum both.

National Museum & House of Culture of Tanzania

2. Village Museum (Makumbusho)

This is yet another one of Dar es Salaam’s tourist attractions that allows you to peek into the lives of several ethnic tribes of the country. The village museum is set up like the dwelling of different tribes of Tanzania. It also talks about the culture of various tribes. You will need 3 to 4 hours to explore this vast museum.

I suggest you should book a Dar es Salaam City Tour, which covers Village Museum and National Museum.

Village Museum (Makumbusho)

3. Mbudya Island

One of the most fun things to do in Dar es Salaam is to explore the islands. You take a boat to get to the island enjoying beautiful coastal views along the way. The island itself has several activities to enjoy like sunbathing, snorkeling, barbecue cuisines, and more. You can easily spend half a day on this island.

Mbudya Island

4. Bongoyo Island

This white sand beach is a popular destination for leisure during Dar es Salaam travel. It is also well known for swimming, diving, and snorkeling owing to the abundance of angel fish, starfish, clownfish, and other wonderful ocean fauna. You would need at least 4 to 5 hours to enjoy this island and some people also stay here overnight for stargazing.

Bongoyo Island

5. Kariakoo Market

This market extends for a few kilometers and offers a variety of attractive things to see in Dar es Salaam in terms of souvenir shopping, budget buying, and street food. You will get several types of handicrafts and traditional items here. Some of the most popular purchases from this market include fabrics, baskets, spices, produce, handicraft items, jewelry, and so on. It will take you 2 to 3 hours to explore this market.

I suggest you should go for a Guided Tour of Kariakoo Market to know and understand more about the market.

Kariakoo Market

6. St. Joseph Cathedral

This is one of the few gothic-style architectures you will come across during Dar es Salaam sightseeing. This cathedral was built in 1897 by German missionaries and is the seat of the archdiocese of the city. You will need 30 to 45 minutes for this church.

St. Joseph Cathedral

7. Oyster Bay

This is one of the most lively Dar es Salaam attractions. You can enjoy the beach, enjoy shopping, street food, picnic, live music, art galleries, bars, clubs, and much more. It is a place you can enjoy during the day as well as at night. It will take you 2 hours or so to explore Oyster Bay.

Oyster Bay

8. Kunduchi Wet “N” Wild Water Park

Though there are numerous beaches to enjoy when you visit Dar es Salaam, this waterpark offers a different type of amusement. It is a very popular choice for locals and tourists alike, especially for families. You can easily spend 2 to 3 hours here.

9. Azania Front Lutheran Church

Yet another church was built by German missionaries, this one was built in 1898 and was once the center for German missions. It is among the interesting places to go in Dar es Salaam to see the European influence on the region. You would 30 to 45 minutes for this church.

Azania Front Lutheran Church

10. Askari Monument

The monument is dedicated to African soldiers who fought as carrier troops during the first world war. You would need 15 to 20 minutes to see this monument during your trip to Dar es Salaam.

Askari Monument

11. Dar es Salaam Botanical Garden

The gardens were first developed in 1893 and are home to the city’s horticulture society. You will see several indigenous plants as well as a few exotic varieties as you explore these gardens during Dar es Salaam travel. It will take you an hour at least to cover the entire venue.

12. State House (Ikulu)

This house used to be the residence of the German governor when it was first built in the 1890s. It was rebuilt by the British in 1922 and was heavily damaged during the first world war. It now serves as a residence for the president and an important landmark. You can only see it from outside so it shouldn’t take more than 10-15 minutes of your time.

13. Pugu Hills Nature Reserve

The nature reserve is popular for outdoor stuff to do in Dar es Salaam. There are great hiking trails and white-sand beaches along the hills. It is also great for bird watching and bat colonies. You will need half a day to explore the Pugu Hills.

Pugu Hills Nature Reserve

14. Coco Beach

This is one of the most popular Dar es Salaam beaches. It is a great place to hang out, especially if you want to meet new people. You can easily spend a couple of hours at Coco Beach.

Coco Beach

15. Bagamoyo Town

This town was an ancient East African port. It is one of the finest historical places to explore during Dar es Salaam vacations. You can see ancient ruins, mosques, churches and so on. You will need about 2 to 3 hours to explore Bagamoyo town.

I suggest you should go for a Guided Tour of the Historical Town of Bagamoyo.

Bagamoyo Town

16. Mwenge Wood Carvers Market

One of the nice places to visit in Dar es Salaam, this is best known for Tanzanian handicrafts. You will be genuinely be surprised at the variety of items available here. You will need about an hour to explore this market.

17. Tinga Tinga Arts Cooperative Society

Tinga Tinga is a form of native art. This art center promotes the art and artists of this Tanzanian art form. It is also one of the best places to visit in Dar es Salaam for souvenir shopping. You will need an hour or so to explore this arts center.

Tinga Tinga Arts Cooperative Society

18. Uhuru Street

Another great shopping street among Dar es Salaam tourist attractions and it is best known for kangas, a traditional style of clothing. You will need an hour for this street.

19. Udzungwa Mountains National Park

This national park is great for adventurous things to do in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. It is a beautiful place to explore for hiking and nature exploration. You will need half a day or so to explore it.

Udzungwa Mountains National Park

If you are looking for more things to see in Dar es Salaam, check out the section below. We have compiled an exhaustive list of places and activities you can explore.

Things to do in Dar es Salaam

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Dar es Salaam

  1. National Museum & House of Culture of Tanzania
  2. Askari Monument
  3. Village Museum
  4. Azania Front Cathedral
  5. Makumbusho Museum
  6. St. Joseph Cathedral
  7. Dar es Salaam War Cemetery
  8. Tinga Tinga Arts Cooperative Society
  9. Nyumba ya Sanaa Arts Museum
  10. Uhuru Monument
  11. Department of Archeology and Heritage
  12. Tanzania Center for Cultural Heritage
  13. Masjid Qiblatein

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Dar es Salaam

  1. Pugu Hills Nature Forest
  2. Lake Tenge
  3. Lake Mwananyamara
  4. Panda Game Reserve
  5. Lake Tandale
  6. Mbudya Marine Reserve

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Dar es Salaam

  1. Kunduchi Wet & Wild Waterpark
  2. Dar es Salaam Zoo
  3. Water World Waterpark
  4. Fun City Kigamboni Waterpark
  5. Bahari Zoo
  6. Sea Cliff Casino
  7. Princess Casino
  8. Le Grande Casino
  9. Las Vegas Casino
  10. Dar es Salaam Botanical Garden
  11. Palm Beach Casino
  12. New Africa Casino

Shopping in Dar es Salaam

  1. Kariakoo Market
  2. Mlimani City Shopping Center
  3. Mwenge Woodcarvers Market
  4. Aura Mall
  5. The Tanzanite Dream
  6. Quality Center Mall
  7. Ilala Market
  8. J.M. Mall
  9. Ohio Street Market
  10. Palm Village Shopping Mall
  11. Mawazo Art Gallery
  12. Kariakoo Mall
  13. Weekend Craft Market
  14. Zanzibar Shopping Center
  15. Oysterbay
  16. Uhuru Street

Beaches & Islands in Dar es Salaam

  1. Bongoyo Island
  2. Mbudya Island
  3. Coco Beach
  4. Sinda Island
  5. Ndege Beach
  6. Fungu Yasini Island
  7. Pangavini Island
  8. Bakhresa Beach
  9. Pweza Beach
  10. Rungwe Beach
  11. Outer Sinda Island
  12. Indian Ocean Beach

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Dar es Salaam

  1. Hiking
  2. Swimming
  3. Scuba Diving
  4. Surfing
  5. Watersports
  6. Island Cruise
  7. Boat Tours
  8. Wildlife Safari

Sightseeing in Dar es Salaam

  1. Nyerere Bridge
  2. Selandar Bridge
  3. Bagamoyo
  4. Temple Road

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Dar es Salaam

  1. 305 Karafuu
  2. Jahazi
  3. Mediterraneo
  4. George & Dragon
  5. Mamboz Corner BBQ
  6. Serengeti
  7. Chef’s Pride
  8. Akemi Revolving Restaurant
  9. Karambezi Cafe
  10. Waterfront Sunset Restaurant
  11. Samaki Samaki
  12. Alcove
  13. Sawasdee
  14. Summy’s
  15. Addis In Dar
  16. Salt
  17. Shangri La Bar

Where to Stay in Dar es Salaam?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Dar es Salaam. You can check the below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Dar es Salaam.

Luxurious Hotels

  1. The Oyster Bay Hotel
  2. Sea Cliff Court
  3. Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro
  4. Sea Cliff Hotel
  5. Alexander’s Hotel
  6. Protea Hotel Dar es Salaam Courtyard
  7. Ramada Resort by Wyndham Dar Es Salaam
  8. Coral Beach Hotel Dar Es Salaam
  9. Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel
  10. Johari Rotana Dar es Salaam
  11. Hotel Blue Sapphire
  12. Ledger Plaza Bahari Beach Hotel

Mid-Range Hotels

  1. Four Points by Sheraton Dar es Salaam New Africa
  2. White Sands Resort & Conference Centre
  3. Mediterraneo Hotel & Restaurant
  4. Peninsula Hotel Dar Es Salaam
  5. CBD Hotel
  6. Golden Tulip Dar Es Salaam
  7. Colosseum Hotel & Fitness Club
  8. Jangwani Seabreeze Resort
  9. ONOMO Hotel Dar es Salaam
  10. Kijiji Beach Resort
  11. Protea Hotel Dar ES Salaam Oyster Bay
  12. Tiffany Diamond Hotel Indira Gandhi Street

Budget Hotels

  1. Hotel Slipway
  2. Tanzanite Executive Suites
  3. Kipepeo Beach Village
  4. ShaMool Hotel
  5. Landmark Mbezi Beach Resort
  6. Triniti Guest House
  7. Rainbow Hotel
  8. Iris Hotel
  9. The Slow Leopard
  10. The Amariah Boutique Hotel Mikocheni
  11. Chelsea Hotel
  12. Greenlight Hotel

TripAdvisor

Custom Tours Package in Dar es Salaam

How to Reach Dar es Salaam?

By Air

The easiest option for Dar es Salaam travel is through Julies Nyerere International Airport. You can get direct flights from Istanbul, Amsterdam, Zurich, Dubai, Muscat, Doha, Cairo, Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Blantyre, Lilongwe, Maputo, Lusaka, Entebbe, Seychelles, and more. You can use buses and cabs to reach destinations in the city from the airport when you visit Dar es Salaam.

By Road

There are several cities that are connected by rail network to visit Dar es Salaam. You can get direct or connecting trains from Dodoma, Mwanza, Selous Game Reserve, Mbeya, Kapiri Mposhi, and many more. Train connectivity between Tanzania and Zambia is pretty decent, though the same cannot be said about other neighboring countries.

The bus network you can get a bus for the trip to Dar es Salaam from several cities, towns, and villages in Tanzania. If you plan to travel by car, there are 2 major routes to choose from, namely A7 and B2.

By Water

You can use a ferry for Dar es Salaam travel to and from Zanzibar Island. There are a few cruise lines that include Dar es Salaam as a major stop as well.

Image Reference

Mustafa Natalwala

Mustafa is a content writer and digital marketing expert at WideWorldTrips.com His mainly interests are into travelling, photography, film-making