Tanzania · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Tanzania
These are the places worth your time in Tanzania, from Stone Town food stalls and Dar es Salaam fish markets to Serengeti kopjes and Kilimanjaro waterfalls. Classics sit beside lesser-known corners, so every kind of traveller finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Dar es Salaam
Restaurants
- The Waterfront Sunset Restaurant and Beach Bar (Slipway, Msasani)
Seafood and grills right on the water with the city's best sunset view. - Samaki Samaki (Masaki)
A lively seafood spot where the day's catch is grilled and the evenings turn into a party. - Karambezi Café (Sea Cliff, Masaki)
An open-air terrace on the cliffs above the ocean, ideal for a relaxed dinner. - Mamboz Corner BBQ (Kisutu, City Centre)
A legendary street-corner grill for mishkaki and spicy chicken eaten at plastic tables. - Chef's Pride (Chagga Street, City Centre)
A busy local institution serving Swahili, Indian and Chinese dishes to office workers and families. - Akemi Revolving Restaurant (Golden Jubilee Towers, City Centre)
Slowly turning views over the harbour and skyline from high above the city. - Addis in Dar (Msasani)
Ethiopian injera platters shared by hand in a garden setting. - Cape Town Fish Market (Msasani Peninsula)
Seafood and sushi with sea views, popular for celebrations. - Zuane Trattoria and Pizzeria (Masaki)
Italian food in a leafy garden, a favourite with families and couples alike.
Cafés
- Epi d'Or (Msasani)
A French-style bakery and café for pastries, breakfasts and good coffee.
Things to Do
- Kivukoni Fish Market (Kivukoni, City Centre)
An early-morning auction of the day's catch that shows the city at its most energetic. - Coco Beach (Oyster Bay)
Where locals gather at weekends for grilled cassava, coconuts and the sea breeze.
Nature and Outdoors
- Bongoyo Island (Msasani Bay)
A short boat ride to calm water, snorkelling and simple grilled fish on the sand. - Mbudya Island (Kunduchi)
A quieter island with a marine reserve, small beaches and very few crowds.
Arts and Culture
- National Museum and House of Culture (Shabaan Robert Street, City Centre)
Tanzania's story from early human fossils to independence under one roof. - Village Museum (Kijitonyama)
Traditional houses from across Tanzania, with dance performances on some days. - Nafasi Art Space (Mikocheni)
A contemporary arts centre with studios, exhibitions and regular events. - Tingatinga Arts Cooperative Society (Morogoro Stores, Oyster Bay)
Watch painters at work in the bright, playful style born in Dar es Salaam. - Azania Front Lutheran Church (Kivukoni Front, City Centre)
A landmark German-era church facing the harbour. - St Joseph's Cathedral (Sokoine Drive, City Centre)
A Gothic-style cathedral beside the harbour, one of the city's oldest buildings.
Shopping and Markets
- Kariakoo Market (Kariakoo)
The country's busiest market, with everything from spices to fabric in a maze of streets. - Mwenge Woodcarvers Market (Mwenge)
Makonde carvings and crafts bought straight from the carvers' workshops. - The Slipway (Msasani Peninsula)
A waterfront complex of craft stalls, cafés and shops by the bay. - Mlimani City (Ubungo)
A large modern mall for everyday shopping, a cinema and supermarkets.
Events
- Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (Sabasaba Grounds, Temeke)
A huge annual fair around early July showcasing Tanzanian products, food and music.
Stays
- Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro (Kivukoni, City Centre)
A central harbourfront hotel with a rooftop pool and easy access to the Zanzibar ferry. - Sea Cliff Hotel (Masaki)
A clifftop hotel on the Msasani Peninsula with ocean views and good restaurants nearby. - Coral Beach Hotel (Masaki)
A calm, family-friendly hotel by the water in a leafy neighbourhood. - Slipway Hotel (Msasani Peninsula)
Simple, comfortable rooms right by the waterfront shops and sunset spots.
Places to Visit in Zanzibar
Restaurants
- The Rock Restaurant (Michamvi Pingwe)
A restaurant on a rock in the sea, reached on foot at low tide and by boat at high tide. - Emerson Spice Tea House (Stone Town)
A rooftop set dinner above the old town's skyline at sunset. - Lukmaan Restaurant (Stone Town)
A local favourite for biryani, curries and Swahili dishes chosen from the counter. - Forodhani Gardens Night Food Market (Stone Town seafront)
Evening stalls grilling seafood and making Zanzibar pizza by the water. - Mercury's Restaurant (Stone Town seafront)
A relaxed seafront spot named after Freddie Mercury, good for sunset drinks and seafood. - 6 Degrees South (Stone Town)
Seafront dining and a rooftop bar overlooking the harbour.
Cafés
- Zanzibar Coffee House (Stone Town)
Coffee roasted from Tanzanian beans in a restored old house. - Stone Town Café (Stone Town)
Breakfasts, juices and milkshakes in the heart of the old town. - Mr Kahawa (Paje)
A laid-back beach café loved by kitesurfers for coffee and brunch.
Bars and Nightlife
- Africa House Hotel Sunset Terrace (Stone Town)
A historic terrace where Stone Town gathers to watch the sun drop into the sea. - Kendwa Rocks (Kendwa)
A beach bar famous for its full moon parties.
Things to Do
- Prison Island (Changuu, off Stone Town)
A short boat trip to see giant Aldabra tortoises and snorkel. - Spice farm tour (Kizimbani)
Taste and smell cloves, nutmeg, vanilla and cinnamon straight from the plant. - Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond (Nungwi)
A community project caring for sea turtles before release. - Kuza Cave (Jambiani)
A freshwater limestone cave pool with cultural evenings of local music. - Zanzibar Seaweed Center (Paje)
A women-led project making soaps and oils from locally farmed seaweed.
Nature and Outdoors
- Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park (Jozani)
Forest boardwalks and the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey. - Mnemba Atoll (Off Matemwe)
Clear water, coral and turtles for snorkelling and diving. - Misali Island (Off Pemba)
A protected island with some of the region's healthiest coral reefs. - Nakupenda Sandbank (Off Stone Town)
A strip of white sand that appears with the tide, perfect for a swim and picnic.
Arts and Culture
- Anglican Cathedral and Former Slave Market (Mkunazini, Stone Town)
A moving memorial and exhibition on the East African slave trade. - Old Fort (Stone Town)
A seventeenth-century Omani fort with craft stalls and an open-air stage. - Palace Museum (Stone Town seafront)
The former sultan's palace, telling the story of Zanzibar's royal past. - Mtoni Palace Ruins (Mtoni)
Quiet ruins of the oldest sultan's palace on the island. - Freddie Mercury House (Stone Town)
A small museum about the singer's Zanzibar childhood.
Shopping and Markets
- Darajani Market (Stone Town)
The island's main market for spices, fruit, fish and daily life.
Events
- Zanzibar International Film Festival (Stone Town)
A festival of African and Indian Ocean films, music and arts, held in the Old Fort.
Stays
- Emerson Spice Hotel (Stone Town)
A restored merchant's house with rich decor and a rooftop restaurant. - Zanzibar Serena Hotel (Stone Town seafront)
Two historic buildings by the sea with a pool overlooking the harbour. - Matemwe Lodge (Matemwe)
Quiet bungalows on the north east coast facing Mnemba Atoll.
Places to Visit in Arusha
Restaurants
- Khan's Barbecue (Mosque Street, Central Arusha)
An auto spares shop by day that turns into a famous open-air grill at night. - Picasso Café (Kijenge)
A garden restaurant with creative dishes and good coffee. - Masai Camp (Old Moshi Road)
A lively garden bar and restaurant with live music at weekends. - Via Via (Boma Road)
A garden café and bar beside the Natural History Museum, with music nights.
Cafés
- Fifi's Bakery and Café (Themi)
Fresh pastries, breakfasts and good coffee, popular before safaris. - Café Barrista (Sokoine Road)
A central café for coffee, snacks and Wi-Fi.
Things to Do
- Arusha Central Market (Central Arusha)
A colourful, busy market for spices, fruit, fabric and everyday life. - Meserani Snake Park (Meserani)
Reptiles, a small Maasai cultural museum and a camel ride on the road west. - Arusha Declaration Museum (Kaloleni)
The story of Tanzania's independence era and Julius Nyerere's vision. - Tanzanite Experience (Central Arusha)
A small museum explaining the gemstone found only near here.
Nature and Outdoors
- Arusha National Park (Momella)
Giraffes, colobus monkeys, flamingo lakes and walking safaris close to town. - Lake Duluti (Tengeru)
A crater lake for gentle forest walks and canoeing. - Mount Meru (Arusha National Park)
Tanzania's second highest peak, a superb three or four day climb. - Tarangire National Park (Tarangire)
Giant baobabs and big elephant herds, best in the dry season. - Lake Manyara National Park (Lake Manyara)
Forest, lake and birdlife on the road to Ngorongoro.
Arts and Culture
- Cultural Heritage Centre (Dodoma Road)
A huge gallery of Tanzanian and African art, carvings and gemstones. - Natural History Museum (The Boma, Central Arusha)
Exhibits on human origins and wildlife in an old German fort.
Shopping and Markets
- Maasai Market (Fire Road, Central Arusha)
Stalls of beadwork, textiles and carvings; take your time and bargain calmly. - Shanga (Burka Coffee Estate)
Beautiful glass and jewellery made by artisans with disabilities.
Stays
- Arusha Coffee Lodge (Burka Coffee Estate)
Plantation-house rooms set among coffee bushes. - Gran Meliá Arusha (Burka Coffee Estate)
A large hotel with views of Mount Meru and plenty of space for families. - Mount Meru Hotel (Central Arusha)
A big, convenient hotel with gardens and a pool. - Onsea House (Baraa)
A small, stylish country house with fine dining in the hills.
Places to Visit in Moshi
Nature and Outdoors
- Materuni Waterfalls (Materuni)
A tall waterfall on Kilimanjaro's slopes, often paired with a coffee farm visit. - Chemka Hot Springs (Kikuletwa)
A clear turquoise spring among fig trees, perfect for a swim. - Lake Chala (Rombo)
A deep crater lake on the Kenya border for walks and quiet views. - Kilimanjaro National Park, Marangu Gate (Marangu)
The starting point for the Marangu route and forest day walks. - Kinukamori Waterfall (Marangu)
A pretty waterfall and village walk in Chagga country.
Cafés
- Union Café (Moshi town)
A café run by a coffee cooperative, serving local Kilimanjaro coffee. - Kilimanjaro Coffee Lounge (Moshi town)
A popular meeting place for coffee, salads and pre-climb briefings.
Restaurants
- Indoitaliano (Moshi town)
Indian and Italian dishes served on a busy terrace. - Moshi street food at Mbuyuni Market (Moshi town)
Cheap, fresh snacks and fruit among the market stalls.
Bars and Nightlife
- Kindoroko Hotel Rooftop Bar (Moshi town)
A rooftop with mountain views on clear evenings.
Shopping and Markets
- Moshi Central Market (Mbuyuni, Moshi town)
Bananas, spices, fabric and everyday Chagga life. - Shah Industries (Moshi town)
A long-running workshop employing people with disabilities to make leather goods and crafts.
Events
- Kilimanjaro Marathon (Moshi town)
A popular race weekend in late February or early March with shorter fun runs too.
Stays
- Kaliwa Lodge (Machame)
A design lodge on the mountain slopes near the Machame gate. - Bristol Cottages (Moshi town)
Simple, central cottages popular with climbers. - Weru Weru River Lodge (Moshi outskirts)
Gardens, a pool and river views, a calm base before and after a climb. - Keys Hotel (Moshi town)
A long-established climbers' hotel with a garden.
Places to Visit in Serengeti
Things to Do
- Seronera Visitor Centre (Central Serengeti)
Displays on the ecosystem and a short kopje walk with hyrax and lizards. - Serengeti Balloon Safaris (Seronera)
A sunrise flight over the plains followed by a bush breakfast.
Nature and Outdoors
- Seronera River Valley (Central Serengeti)
Year-round resident lions and leopards along the river. - Lake Ndutu (Southern Serengeti)
Calving season headquarters with intense predator action. - Retima Hippo Pool (Central Serengeti)
Dozens of hippos packed into one pool. - Moru Kopjes (Central Serengeti)
Granite outcrops with ancient Maasai rock paintings and a gong rock. - Gol Kopjes (Eastern Serengeti)
A hotspot for cheetah on the short-grass plains. - Mara River (Kogatende, Northern Serengeti)
The famous migration crossings from July to October. - Grumeti River (Western Corridor)
Early summer crossings and huge crocodiles. - Lobo (Northern Serengeti)
Quiet hills and kopjes with few vehicles. - Shifting Sands (Near Olduvai)
A black dune that slowly walks across the plains.
Arts and Culture
- Olduvai Gorge Museum (Ngorongoro Conservation Area)
The site where some of the oldest human fossils were found.
Stays
- Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti (Central Serengeti)
Rooms overlooking a busy waterhole. - Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge (Central Serengeti)
Lodge rooms styled like Maasai houses with wide views.
Places to Visit in Ngorongoro
Nature and Outdoors
- Ngorongoro Crater (Ngorongoro Conservation Area)
A volcanic caldera packed with wildlife, including black rhino. - Empakaai Crater (Ngorongoro Conservation Area)
A walk down to a flamingo lake with an armed ranger. - Lake Natron (Ngare Sero)
Flamingos, waterfalls and views of Ol Doinyo Lengai.
Stays
- Ngorongoro Crater Lodge (Crater rim)
Opulent rooms with views straight into the crater.
Places to Visit in Dodoma
Arts and Culture
- Gaddafi Mosque (Dodoma)
One of the largest mosques in East Africa, in the capital.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- High Spirit Lounge (Kisutu, City Centre, Dar es Salaam)
A rooftop bar with views over the city centre at night. - Elements (Masaki, Dar es Salaam)
One of the city's well-known clubs for late nights and live DJs. - Pugu Hills Forest Reserve (Pugu, Dar es Salaam)
Coastal forest walks and birdlife on the edge of the city. - House of Wonders (Stone Town seafront, Zanzibar)
An iconic palace building under restoration after a partial collapse; check if it has reopened. - Sauti za Busara (Stone Town, Zanzibar)
A celebrated African music festival in February; check whether it runs this year. - Paje by Night (Paje, Zanzibar)
A relaxed, characterful hotel steps from the kitesurfing beach. - Mto wa Mbu cultural walks (Mto wa Mbu, Arusha)
Village walks and banana beer near Lake Manyara, a world away from the safari crowds. - Chagga caves (Marangu, Moshi)
Underground tunnels used for refuge in past conflicts, shown by local guides. - Kahawa Shamba (Uru, Moshi Rural, Moshi)
A community coffee tour where you pick, roast and taste. - Marangu cultural village walks (Marangu, Moshi)
Learn about Chagga history, banana farming and local beer. - Dodoma vineyards (Hombolo, Dodoma)
Tanzania's wine country around the capital.