Dar es Salaam, There is a coastal capital city called Dar es Salaam that is changing into a cosmopolitan city that is fun to visit. Dar is still a busy Swahili market town, but it is also a hub for trade and industry that draws ambitious Africans from all over Tanzania and its neighboring countries, as well as people from around the world who come to do business of all kinds. This is Tanzania’s information hub, which is very different from how most people live in the countryside.

Dar has a lot of interesting things to see for people who like cities. Its pace is pretty relaxed in East Africa, except in the city’s busy center. Its position on the Indian Ocean provides a peaceful environment with a wild coastline, a cool sea breeze, easy day trips, and accommodations by the water. Ras Kutani is one lodge that is literally a stone’s throw from Dar but feels very far away. It may be the best mainland beach lodge on the whole coast.

The city’s architecture shows the contrast between the quiet and busy Indian Ocean. Around the city center and some suburbs, tall apartment buildings and shiny office buildings have sprung up. However, the city’s low-rise red-tiled roofs on the main streets and the makuti-thatched suburbs still show a lot of its old character from its time as an Arabic, German, and British colony and African country. Ocean-going tankers carrying goods sail across the sky, followed by Arab dhows that skim the waves and dock on beaches dotted with mangroves and palm trees.

Even though there is some confusion about Dar es Salaam’s role—it was officially demoted from capital city in 1973, but the government hasn’t moved to Dodoma yet—it is still Tanzania’s most populous city and its business capital, so it’s a good indicator of the country’s economy. The fact that there are now many more shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, and other businesses shows that the market changes that were rushed through in 1986 worked. That being said, Dar is not a must-see on your Tanzania vacation!

Where to stay in Dar es Salaam

Most travelers stay at one of Dar’s big 4* business hotels. There isn’t much difference between the popular choices, but the Dar es Salaam Serena and the Southern Sun (the old Holiday Inn) are most often our first picks.

Outside of town, the Sea Cliff is a similar-styled option with better views. But The Oyster Bay, a small 8-room hotel owned by the same people who run Selous’s famous Beho Beho lodge, is the only truly high-quality boutique choice in town. The rooms at Oyster Bay are beautiful, and the food and service are top-notch, but most travelers choose to stay at one of the more expensive hotels instead. There is no better place to stay on a budget than the Souk at the Slipway, where rooms start at just $60 per night.