Dar es Salaam

Tanzania's largest city is a working port and the usual departure point for the ferry to Zanzibar, with the Kariakoo market, a harbor waterfront and street food.

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Dar es Salaam is Tanzania's largest city, on the Indian Ocean coast of East Africa. It was the capital until 1973, when the government began moving to Dodoma, and it remains the country's main port and commercial center. Julius Nyerere International Airport lies outside the city, so many travelers spend a first night here before heading to Zanzibar or the national parks.

Kariakoo is the best-known market. The National Museum and House of Culture and the Village Museum, where reconstructed homesteads show the building styles of different Tanzanian peoples, are the main museum stops. The Kivukoni waterfront looks across the harbor, and the port links the city to Zanzibar by ferry. Two or three days suit a stop here, with a day trip to Bagamoyo, a historic coastal town to the north. The dry season from June to October is the easiest time for walking and sightseeing.

Dar es Salaam in five

Get your visa or eVisa before you flyMany passports need a visa or eVisa for Tanzania. Apply through the Immigration Department before you travel, then save the approval on your phone and keep a printed copy.Visas and entry
Carry shillings and use mobile money for small paymentsShillings are needed for dala-dala minibuses, street food and markets, and many small shops take M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa or Airtel Money. Cards work mainly at hotels and larger restaurants.Money and costs
Book Bolt or Uber instead of hailing a taxiStreet taxis often quote a fare on the spot, so agree the price before you get in. The app shows the fare and the driver's details before the ride starts.Getting around
Buy a local SIM or eSIM from Vodacom, Airtel or YasYou need mobile data for ride apps and maps in the city. Operators register SIM cards against your ID, so bring your passport when you buy one.Phones and eSIM
Avoid tight timings on Morogoro and Bagamoyo roadsTrips at peak hours on the main roads out of the center can take much longer than the map shows. Leave a wide margin before a flight, a ferry or a bus to Bagamoyo.

Things to do in Dar es Salaam

See all attractions in Dar es Salaam

people riding on boat on body of water during daytime

Sight · Dar es SalaamMarine Police Station

Sight · Dar es SalaamKunduchi Ruins

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Need to know

Currency: Tanzanian shilling (TZS)
Entry: Visa or eVisa for many passports; check the Immigration Department first Read more
Emergency: 112 general emergency; ask your lodging for local police and ambulance lines
Tipping: Check the bill for a service charge before you add a tip
Time: UTC+3, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain19 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Hot, dry
FebruaryRain14 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Hot, dry
MarchRain21 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Long rains start
AprilRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Long rains
MayRain17 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Rains ending
JunePartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°Dry, cooler
JulyPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°Dry, cool
AugustPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°Dry, cool
SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Dry, warming
OctoberRain14 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Dry, warm
NovemberRain20 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Short rains
DecemberRain23 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Short rains

Average daily high and low in Dar es Salaam, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Dar es Salaam

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 28°
Humidity: 83%
Wind: 12 km/h
Chance of rain: 88%

Dar es Salaam

01:45 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+3

Today31°25°88%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 88%.
Wed31°25°20%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 20%.
Thu32°25°14%Thursday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 14%.
Fri32°25°8%Friday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 8%.
Sat32°25°11%Saturday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 11%.
Sun32°25°16%Sunday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 16%.

Updated 01:05 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 2,635 TZS

Amount

Converted to

TZS · Tanzanian Shilling

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Bagamoyoabout 1 to 1.5 hours by roadAn old coastal town of mission and trading history, a good half-day trip from the city.
Zanzibarabout 2 hours by fast ferryStone Town and the beaches, reached by ferry from the port or a short flight.
Mikumi National Parkabout 4 hours by road each wayA savanna park for wildlife drives, better as an overnight than a day trip.

Before you go to Dar es Salaam

eSIM for Dar es SalaamData for rides and maps in the cityRead the guide

Insurance for a city and coast tripCover for a missed flight or ferryRead the guide

Money and cards for TanzaniaCash, mobile money and card useRead the guide

Stays in Dar es SalaamHotels and guesthouses by areaRead the guide

Rules for Dar es Salaam, checked

Many nationalities need a visa or eVisa for Tanzania. Check the list and apply through the Immigration Department before you book.Source
Plastic bags are banned in Tanzania. Leave them out of your luggage and check the current rules before you pack.
Declare cash above the legal limit on arrival. Check the limit with the Tanzania Revenue Authority before you travel.
Ask before you photograph people, markets or official buildings, including the port and government sites.

Plan around Dar es Salaam

All of Tanzania

Regions, transport and money for a Tanzania trip

Read the guide Visas and entry

Visa and eVisa rules before you book a flight

Read the guide Getting around

Ride apps, dala-dalas and trips to the coast

Read the guide Money and costs

Cash, mobile money and card use across the city

Read the guide Where to stay

Where to base yourself for a short city stay

Read the guide Phones and eSIM

Local SIMs and eSIMs for rides and maps

Read the guide

Dar es Salaam FAQ

Is Dar es Salaam worth visiting?

Yes, if you want a working port city with markets, beach restaurants and a base for Zanzibar and the coast. It is not a sightseeing city, so two or three days in town with one day trip is a good fit.

How do you get from the airport to the city?

Julius Nyerere International Airport is outside the city, and the drive can take a long time at rush hour. Book a ride app or a transfer arranged by your lodging before you land.

Is Dar es Salaam safe for tourists?

Keep valuables out of sight, use ride apps after dark and ask your lodging which areas to avoid.

Can you go to Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam?

Yes, by fast ferry from the port in about 2 hours, or by plane, which is quicker. Ferry schedules change, so check the operator before you book.

When is the best time to visit Dar es Salaam?

June to October is the drier, cooler season. The long rains run from March to May, and the short rains come in November and December.

Is Dar es Salaam walkable?

Parts of the center and Kivukoni are walkable, but distances between neighborhoods are long and footpaths can be broken. Use taxis or ride apps to move between areas.