Best Things to Do in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Dar es Salaam is often treated as a quick stop on the way to Zanzibar, but it is worth giving the city time of its own. We flew from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam with plans to continue to Zanzibar by ferry. Spending two days in Dar gave us time to experience a busy market, learn more about Tanzanian culture, try local food, and see some of the city’s nightlife before traveling to Stone Town.
Two days made Dar es Salaam a nice addition to our East Africa trip, but I left feeling like we needed longer. If your schedule allows, add another day for a nearby island, the waterfront, or more time exploring the city without rushing.
This guide covers what we did in Dar es Salaam, additional places to consider, and how to plan the city as part of a Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar trip.
Is Dar es Salaam Worth Visiting?
Dar es Salaam is worth visiting if you want to experience more of Tanzania than its safari destinations and Zanzibar beaches. The city offers markets, museums, coastal day trips, Tanzanian food, shopping, and nightlife. It also works well as a connecting point for travelers flying in from another East African city before taking the ferry to Zanzibar.
Dar is busy, and the traffic can require patience. We also encountered haggling in some areas. Still, I was impressed by the city and wished we had allowed more time instead of treating it primarily as a stop between Nairobi and Zanzibar.
How Many Days Do You Need in Dar es Salaam?
Two days in Dar es Salaam is enough for a short introduction, especially if the city is one stop on a longer trip. You can explore a market, visit a museum, try Tanzanian food, and experience some nightlife during that time.
Three or four days would give you a less rushed visit and enough time to add Bongoyo Island, Mbudya Island, the waterfront, or another neighborhood. Travelers planning an island day should avoid placing it on the same day as their Zanzibar ferry departure.
Things to Do in Dar es Salaam
Explore Kariakoo Market
Kariakoo is one of Dar es Salaam’s busiest commercial districts. The market area is filled with vendors selling clothing, food, household items, fabric, and other goods. It is a useful place to see the pace of daily commerce in the city, but the crowds can be intense. Keep your valuables secure, pay attention to your surroundings, and consider visiting with a local guide if it is your first time.
When we visited, the main market building was being rebuilt following a 2021 fire, although trading continued throughout the surrounding streets. The reconstructed Kariakoo Main Market officially reopened in February 2026.
Visit the Village Museum
The Village Museum, also known as Kijiji cha Makumbusho, was one of the most useful stops on our visit. This open-air museum presents traditional homes and structures associated with different ethnic groups across Tanzania.
I recommend taking a guided tour instead of walking through quickly. Our guide explained how the structures were built, how the spaces were used, and the cultural meaning behind details we might have missed on our own. We also watched a traditional dance performance during our visit.
Allow enough time to listen, ask questions, and walk through the different sections. Confirm current admission information and performance availability directly with the National Museum of Tanzania before visiting.
Try Tanzanian Food
Food should be part of any Dar es Salaam itinerary. After visiting the Village Museum, we ate at Golden Fork and tried Tanzanian food, including chapati and chicken with chili sauce.
Other foods to look for include mishkaki, nyama choma, ugali, grilled seafood, and dishes influenced by the city’s Swahili and Indian communities. A guided food or city tour can be useful if you want help navigating markets and choosing places to eat.
Experience Dar es Salaam Nightlife
We went out to eat and experienced some of the nightlife on our first evening. We did not stay out late because we had a tour planned the next morning, but it gave us a different view of the city beyond its daytime markets and museums.
Masaki, Oyster Bay, and the Msasani Peninsula are commonly associated with restaurants, bars, and waterfront venues. Check operating hours, event schedules, and transportation options before going out, since distances and traffic can make a short trip take longer than expected.
Visit the National Museum and House of Culture
The National Museum and House of Culture is an additional stop for travelers interested in Tanzania’s history, archaeology, and cultural heritage. We did not include it during our short visit, so allow extra time if you want to visit both the National Museum and the Village Museum.
The two museums serve different purposes. The National Museum focuses more broadly on the country’s history and collections, while the Village Museum is an open-air experience centered on traditional structures and cultural interpretation.
Walk Through Kivukoni Fish Market
Kivukoni Fish Market is an active working market near the waterfront. Early morning is generally the busiest time, when fishing boats arrive and seafood is sold. This is not a polished tourist attraction, so expect crowds, strong smells, wet surfaces, and an active commercial environment.
Closed-toe shoes and clothing you do not mind getting dirty are sensible. Travelers unfamiliar with the area may feel more comfortable visiting with a guide.
Shop for Art at the Tingatinga Arts Cooperative
The Tingatinga Arts Cooperative is a place to see and purchase paintings in the Tanzanian style associated with Edward Saidi Tingatinga. It can be a worthwhile stop if you want locally made art instead of a generic souvenir.
Ask about the artist, confirm the price before buying, and consider how you will transport the artwork home. Travelers interested in additional shopping can also visit Mwenge Woodcarvers Market for carvings and crafts.
Spend Time at The Slipway
The Slipway sits along the Msasani Peninsula and combines waterfront views with restaurants and shopping. It is a more relaxed stop than Kariakoo and can work well around sunset or after a day of sightseeing.
Boat trips to Bongoyo Island commonly leave from this area, but departure arrangements can change. Confirm boat times, return transportation, and marine reserve fees before committing to the trip.
Take a Day Trip to Bongoyo or Mbudya Island
Bongoyo and Mbudya are part of the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserves System. Both can provide a beach break from the city’s traffic and busy streets.
An island outing requires enough time for transportation, the boat trip, and the return to the mainland. Build in extra time and avoid planning it immediately before a flight or ferry connection. Conditions, boat arrangements, and access fees can change, so confirm the details locally before leaving.
See Coco Beach
Coco Beach, also called Oyster Bay Beach, is a popular local gathering place. It can be lively on weekends, with food vendors and occasional entertainment. Visit for the atmosphere and coastal setting rather than expecting a secluded resort beach.
Use current local guidance before swimming, since water and beach conditions can change.
Consider a Day Trip to Bagamoyo
Travelers with an additional day can consider Bagamoyo, a historic coastal town north of Dar es Salaam. A day trip may include cultural and historical sites, but driving time depends heavily on traffic.
This is better suited to a longer Dar es Salaam stay than a two-day stop. A guided excursion can simplify the transportation and help provide context for the sites.
How We Spent Two Days in Dar es Salaam
Our Dar es Salaam visit was part of a larger East Africa itinerary. We first visited Nairobi, then flew from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam via Kenya Airways. We stayed at the Crowne Plaza Dar Es Salaam on Mangore Street. The plan was to spend time in the city before taking the ferry to Zanzibar.
Day One: Arrive, Eat, and Experience the Nightlife
After arriving in Dar es Salaam, we went out to eat and experienced some of the nightlife. We kept the evening fairly short because we had a guided tour scheduled for the next day.
For travelers following a similar route, keeping the arrival day flexible is helpful. Airport transfers can take longer than expected because of traffic, and flight delays can affect evening plans.
Day Two: Ferry Tickets, Kariakoo Market, and the Village Museum
We began the second day by arranging our tickets for the ferry to Zanzibar. From there, we visited Kariakoo Market and the Village Museum. A guide helped us understand the traditional structures and cultural details at the museum, which made the visit more meaningful.
We then ate Tanzanian food at Golden Fork before heading back to the hotel to grab our bags to the ferry terminal and continuing to Zanzibar.
It was a full day, and it confirmed that Dar es Salaam deserved more time than we gave it. If I were planning the route again, I would add at least one more day instead of visiting the market, museum, restaurant, and ferry terminal in such a tight window.
Should You Take a Guided Dar es Salaam Tour?
A guided tour can be useful if you have limited time, want transportation between attractions, or would like more context at markets and museums. Dar es Salaam is spread out, and traffic can make it difficult to estimate how much you can cover independently in one day.
We found a guide especially helpful at the Village Museum. Travelers interested in a broader overview can consider a city tour that combines the museum, markets, historical landmarks, and waterfront areas.
Tour itineraries, admission inclusions, pickup areas, and prices can change. Review the current listing before booking.
Where to Stay in Dar es Salaam
Choose your area based on your plans rather than booking solely by price.
- City center: Useful for the ferry terminal, National Museum, Kivukoni, and some historical landmarks.
- Masaki or Oyster Bay: Better for restaurants, nightlife, and the Msasani Peninsula, but farther from the ferry terminal.
- Near Julius Nyerere International Airport: Practical for an overnight connection, but less convenient for sightseeing and the Zanzibar ferry.
Traffic should be part of your decision. A hotel that appears close on a map can still require a long drive at busy times.
Taking the Ferry From Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar
After exploring Dar es Salaam, we took the ferry to Stone Town. This route allowed us to combine Nairobi, mainland Tanzania, and Zanzibar in one trip instead of flying directly to the island.
Azam Marine operates daily service connecting Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. The company instructs passengers to report to the ferry terminal at least one hour before departure and present the required ticket and travel documents. Schedules, rates, and booking rules can change, so confirm them directly before traveling.
Read my complete Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar ferry guide for the transportation options, ticket process, seating classes, boarding experience, and arrival in Stone Town.
Once you arrive, use my Zanzibar travel guide and Stone Town Zanzibar in one day guide to plan the next part of the trip.
If you want help organizing the complete route, my Nairobi to Zanzibar logistics plan explains how to connect the destinations and save time planning the transportation.
Practical Tips for Visiting Dar es Salaam
- Allow more transportation time than the distance on a map suggests.
- Keep valuables secure in crowded markets.
- Ask permission before photographing people or market vendors.
- Confirm prices before accepting transportation, tours, or services.
- Carry smaller amounts of cash for markets and minor purchases, but avoid displaying large amounts.
- Use a guide when cultural or historical context would improve the experience.
- Avoid placing a major excursion on the same day as your flight or Zanzibar ferry.
- Verify museum hours, boat departures, attraction fees, and ferry requirements close to your travel date.
Did I Feel Safe in Dar es Salaam?
I felt safe during our visit, and I noticed security measures around the hotels. That was my personal experience during one trip, not a guarantee that every traveler will have the same experience.
Travelers should review the current U.S. Department of State advisory for Tanzania before booking and again shortly before departure. The advisory in effect during this article’s review recommends reconsidering travel due to unrest, crime, terrorism, and the targeting of gay and lesbian individuals. Monitor local news, avoid demonstrations, keep a low profile, and stay alert in crowded markets and tourist areas.
Is Dar es Salaam a Good Stop Before Zanzibar?
Dar es Salaam is a good stop before Zanzibar if you want to experience mainland city life instead of connecting directly through the airport. Flying from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam and then taking the ferry to Stone Town gave our trip more variety and allowed us to see another side of Tanzania.
Our two-day visit was enjoyable, but it felt too short. Give Dar es Salaam at least one additional day if you want to include an island outing, explore more neighborhoods, or move through the city at a more comfortable pace.
