As
Tanzania’s largest city, Dar es Salaam is a vibrant place filled with culture,
beaches, local nightlife, food and more. Therefore, if you happen to find
yourself in the city for a short period of time (2 to 3 days), it can be very
overwhelming to decide what to do in Dar es Salaam.
Travelers
have different interests. Many enjoy spending their time in a new city
exploring the nightlife and partying, while others want to lay on the beach
with a good book and cocktail, and some want to soak up as much history and
culture as possible and interact with locals.
However,
whatever you end up doing, you can’t miss out on these 7 local attractions that
will surely make your time in Dar es Salaam truly memorable.
1.
Kivukoni Fish Market
As
a coastal city, Dar es Salaam has an abundance of fresh seafood, but even
though you can find seafood in many places, none beat the experience you will
have at the Kivukoni Fish Market. At the fish market, you get to hand pick from
a wide selection of freshly fished seafood such as prawns, octopus, calamari
and more; and then wait for your order to be cook in front of your eyes. This
place is so amazing it was even featured on Buzzfeed.com as
one of “Places Around The World You Should Eat At Before You Die”.
2.
National Museum & House of Culture
If
you are into history and want to learn more about Tanzania’s past and cultural
heritage, the National Museum is the place to visit. The museum offers
different exhibitions about the country’s tribal heritage, traditional crafts,
musical instruments, local artists, colonial and political history and more.
Moreover, you get to enjoy the serene and beautiful atmosphere of the museum’s
garden – which is also a popular wedding party venue.
3.
Makumbusho Village Museum
Makumbusho,
meaning ‘reminders’ in English, and also known as the Village Museum, literally
takes you back in time or into rural Tanzania, by illustrating fully the
diversity and intricacy of village life amongst Tanzania’s ethnic groups. You
can enter authentic village homes, learn about how they were constructed and
the traditions of the people. You can also watch local artists demonstrate
traditional painting, weaving, carving, tribal dances and other cultural
activities. Simply put, the Village
Museum offers a fully
enriching traditional Tanzanian experience.
4.
Kariakoo Market
Probably
the busiest market area in Dar es Salaam, Kariakoo is the best place to go if
you are looking for items at a cheap price. While locals frequent it to get
everything from groceries, clothes, toiletries, furniture, car parts and more.
Tourists can also find a wide range of souvenirs, African fabric, traditional
clothes, shoes, instruments and many other cultural items.
Tip: Don’t afraid to bargain!
5.
Mbudya Island
If
you want to spend your time in Dar es Salaam relaxing by the beach, then Mbudya
Island is worth the trip. The beautiful island is just off the coast of Dar es
Salaam, and hosts pearly white sandy beaches, clear blue unpolluted sea water
and plenty of sea life and seafood. The island can be reached by a boat from Jangwani Sea Breeze Resort in
the Mbezi Beach area, and is never crowded – so perfect if you want a laid back
and tranquil beach vibe.
6.
Coco beach
If
you find yourself in Dar es Salaam over the weekend, then make sure to go to
the public beach, Coco Beach, on the Msasani Peninsula and eat some local street food; try
the mishkaki and muhogo wa kuchoma (roasted
cassava). This is an extremely popular hangout spot for Tanzanian families and
friends of all social classes, making it one of the best ways to observe the
diversity of Tanzanian society and the ways that we have fun.
7.
Mwenge Wood Carver’s Village (Makonde)
If
you are looking for authentic Tanzanian made art, clothes, shoes, bags,
kitchenware, masks…you name it, then look no further than the Mwenge Wood
Carver’s Village (locally known as Makonde). The entire area is dedicated to
selling and promoting Tanzanian art. Moreover, the artists are often also the
sellers which means that they can custom make paintings and carvings just for
you and teach you about their artistic process. It’s truly a delightful and
colorful experience that will leave you full of appreciation for the hard labor
that goes into creating a work of art.
