At a glance
- Best for
- Art, markets, family visits and a first night
- Airport
- Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE)
- Time needed
- One to three days
- Best season
- April to October, and September to October for jacarandas
- Language
- English and Shona
- Getting around
- Ride hailing apps, registered taxis and private transfers
Why visit Harare
Many safari travellers only change planes in Harare, but a day or two here shows you the Zimbabwe that most Zimbabweans know. It is a city of churches and Sunday lunches, students and traders, returning diaspora families and artists who sell work straight from their studios. It sits at about 1,500 metres, so days are warm and nights can be cool, especially from May to August. In September and October the jacaranda trees turn whole avenues purple.
Top things to do
Start at the **National Gallery of Zimbabwe** on Julius Nyerere Way, which shows contemporary Zimbabwean art and hosts changing exhibitions. Then head to **Chapungu Sculpture Park** in Msasa or the **Tengenenge** tradition of Shona stone sculpture, which is celebrated worldwide; in Harare you can see carvers at work and buy direct.
The **National Heroes' Acre**, on a hill west of the city, is a large monument to those who died in the liberation struggle; it gives real insight into how the country sees its history. The **Harare Gardens** next to the city centre are pleasant for a walk, and the **Kopje**, the granite hill above the old town, gives a view across the city.
For wildlife without leaving town, **Mukuvisi Woodlands** has walking trails, giraffe, zebra and antelope just a few kilometres from the centre. **Lake Chivero Recreational Park**, about forty minutes west, has rhino, giraffe and San rock paintings at Bushman's Point.
Markets and shopping
**Mbare Musika** is the country's biggest market and bus terminus, loud, colourful and fascinating, with fresh produce, second hand clothes, herbs and crafts. Go in daylight with a local friend and keep your phone tucked away. The **Avondale Flea Market** is calmer for crafts and fabrics, and the weekend **Sam Levy's Village** market in Borrowdale is easy for first-timers.
Where to eat and drink
The northern suburbs of Avondale, Borrowdale, Mount Pleasant and Highlands have the best restaurants and cafés. Try **sadza** with beef stew or road runner chicken at a local eatery, then try a garden café for breakfast. Weekends bring braai gatherings, live music and sports bars. Local lager and Chibuku sorghum beer are the classic drinks.
Where to stay
Most visitors stay in the northern suburbs, which are greener, quieter and closer to the restaurants. Choose from international hotels near the centre, boutique lodges in Borrowdale, Highlands and Mount Pleasant, and family run guesthouses. Diaspora visitors often stay with relatives but may want a hotel night or two on arrival.
Getting around
Harare is spread out and walking at night is not advised. Use ride hailing apps where they work, registered taxis booked through your hotel, or a trusted driver recommended by family. Kombis (minibuses) are cheap but crowded and best left to locals. Fuel queues and power cuts can happen, so allow extra time.
Staying safe
Harare is generally calm, but bag snatching and phone theft happen in the central business district and around Mbare and the bus stations. Keep valuables hidden, do not walk after dark, and avoid political gatherings or demonstrations. Do not photograph government buildings, the police or soldiers.
Day trips
Popular day trips include Lake Chivero, the **Domboshawa** granite hill with rock art and views about thirty kilometres north, and **Ewanrigg Botanical Garden** for aloes in winter. For more, see our places to visit list and the destinations overview.
Questions about Harare
Is Harare worth visiting?
Yes, for a day or two. It is not a big sightseeing city, but the galleries, stone sculpture, markets and nearby parks give real insight into modern Zimbabwe, and it is the easiest place to sort cash and a SIM card.
Is Harare safe for tourists?
Most visits are trouble free. Take normal city care: avoid walking after dark, keep phones out of sight in the centre and at Mbare, and use registered transport at night.
Which area of Harare is best to stay in?
The northern suburbs, such as Borrowdale, Avondale, Mount Pleasant and Highlands, are greener, quieter and close to the best restaurants.
When do the jacarandas bloom in Harare?
Usually from late September to October, when much of the city turns purple.
Facts checked . Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so always confirm the latest with the official source.
