Dar Es Salaam is the largest and richest city in Tanzania. When you translate its name, it means House of Peace in Arabic. The city was formerly named Mzizima, before the Sultan of Zanzibar needed a port on the mainland. Dar Es Salaam grew fast after World War II. It is located on the east on a natural harbour on the Indian Ocean and has a population of around two million people.

Dar Es Salaam is not the official capital city of Tanzania. The city is however home to the head offices of various governmental organisations. Most tourists see the city as a necessary stop, but it has lots of things to offer. It is a busy place with a great atmosphere, culture, beaches, markets and historical buildings. The harbour looks very picturesque and you can visit water parks. You can easily go shopping and eat at good restaurants. The city has a mix of African, Arabic and South Asian influences, and has Swahili roots, which offers many great sights around the centre.

The main sights of the city are the interesting Kariakoo market, the National Museum and the Botanical Gardens. You can also visit the Makumbusho Village Museum, the Askari Monument and Kivukoni Front. Or go see the Karimjee Hall, the Azania Front Lutheran Church and the St. Joseph’s Cathedral. The largest building in the city is the Benjamin William Mkapa Pension Tower that has more than 21 stores. When you are done walking through the city, you can relax at the beaches. Or you can enjoy scuba diving or deep sea fishing. Nearby sites close to the city are Bagamoyo, Bongoyo Island and Mbudja.

It is best to check the official website of Tanzania’s embassy in the United States for the latest information. Dar Es Salaam has relatively stable temperatures during day and night. It has a tropical wet and dry climate, as well as one short and one long rainy season. Most of the year it is hot and humid. The best time to visit is between June till early October, when it is dry and cool.