What are the best things to do in Dar es Salaam?
Top picks in Dar es Salaam include National Museum, Makumbusho Village Museum, Askari Monument, Zoological Gardens. See the full list and itinerary on this Dar es Salaam travel guide.
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Why visit Dar es Salaam
Travel guide for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Dar es Salaam is a stop in Tanzania, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 2 days. If time is short, prioritise National Museum, Makumbusho Village Museum, Askari Monument instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 40–120 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: The dry season for the most comfortable travel. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
The dry season for the most comfortable travel
Weather
Largely warm year-round with distinct wet and dry seasons
Experiences
Things to do in Dar es Salaam
1
National Museum
2
Makumbusho Village Museum
3
Askari Monument
4
Zoological Gardens
5
Azania Front Lutheran Church
6
St. Joseph's Cathedral
Budget travel
Free things to do in Dar es Salaam
Askari Monument
Zoological Gardens
Azania Front Lutheran Church
St. Joseph's Cathedral
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Dar es Salaam itinerary (2 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit National Museum
- Visit Makumbusho Village Museum
- Visit Askari Monument
- Eat at Summy's
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Zoological Gardens
- Visit Azania Front Lutheran Church
- Visit St. Joseph's Cathedral
- Eat at Chef's Pride
Budget
Dar es Salaam trip cost
Budget
USD 20–40
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 40–120
per person / day
Luxury
USD 140–230+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Dar es Salaam
Estimated total (USD)
$2,040
≈ $1,020 per person · $291 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $80/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Dar es Salaam mid-range ground costs (budget 20–40 · mid 40–120 · luxury 140–230+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
- $
Summy's
Grilled marinated chicken, mishkaki, Indian food.
- $$
Chef's Pride
A very popular local eatery with Tanzanian food, plus pizza and Indian.
- $
Durban Hotel
Two streets past Royal Chef on the right. Excellent selection of Tanzanian, Chinese, and Indian dishes at reasonable prices. Excellent fish
Khana Khazana
Offers excellent choice of Indian food.
Hong Kong Tai Yong Sun Restaurant
Serves delicious and authentic Cantonese Chinese dishes. Experts of fresh seafood dishes in town, nice comfortable settings with fast and fr
- $$
Rohobot Ethiopian Restaurant
This is a new restaurant. Owned by an Ethiopia/Tanzanian couple. Really good food and simple but pleasant Ethiopian decor, in a kind of gard
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Econo Lodge
Close to the Safari Inn, has very simple but clean single rooms with private bathroom for TSh 20,000 per night.
Holiday Hotel
An old colonial-era building that has been managed by the same Indian family for three generations. Lot of character but a bit run down and
Safari Inn
Around Libya Street, has singles with private bathroom from TSh 35,000 per night with simple breakfast. The hotel has an Internet café, and
YMCA
Single and double simple rooms. Rooms are cheaper if you are a resident of Tanzania, with a passport stamp to prove it.
YWCA
Simple and clean hostel style hotel that is in a very noisy neighbourhood. YWCA offers single rooms with fans and shared bathrooms. All book
Shopping
- City Mall
- Aura Mall
- A Novel Idea
Nightlife
- Q Bar
Museums & culture
- National Museum
- Makumbusho Village Museum
- Askari Monument
- Azania Front Lutheran Church
- St. Joseph's Cathedral
In pictures
Dar es Salaam gallery
Photos: David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada, Ali Damji, Adam Jones, Ph.D., Mangapwani — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Dar es Salaam travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Dar es Salaam?
The dry season for the most comfortable travel.
How many days do I need in Dar es Salaam?
Plan at least 2 days in Dar es Salaam for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Dar es Salaam?
Popular stays in Dar es Salaam include Econo Lodge, Holiday Hotel, Safari Inn. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Dar es Salaam cost?
On the ground in Dar es Salaam (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 20–40 per person per day, mid-range about 40–120, and luxury about 140–230+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
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