Dar es Salaam is Tanzania's largest city and its commercial engine — a hot, busy, thoroughly Swahili port where dhows still unload at the fish market a few hundred metres from the office towers. Most visitors pass through on the way to Zanzibar or the southern parks, but it repays a day or two.
The National Museum holds Louis Leakey's hominid finds from Olduvai, the open-air Village Museum reconstructs traditional houses from across the country, and Kariakoo market is as busy and unfiltered as East African commerce gets.
June to October is dry and slightly cooler; December to February is hot and bright.
Around 5 million, making it one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa.
Ferries to Zanzibar, flights nationwide, and the SGR line west toward Mikumi and Morogoro.
Julius Nyerere International Airport is Tanzania's main international gateway.
A half-day walking tour covers the museums, the old German and Asian quarters and the harbour; afternoons are for the beaches north of the city or a boat to Bongoyo Island.
Arriving or leaving through Dar? We'll fill the spare day properly.
Ask a Local Expert