Best Cities To Visit In Tanzania

Many tourists search for the best cities to visit in Tanzania to see the local culture and busy markets. These places provide a safe environment and great food for every single visitor. You can find beautiful coastal towns or cold mountain cities across the whole country.

Urban areas in the region are growing very fast and offer many modern services for tourists. This article looks at the top urban spots that every traveler should visit right now.

These are the Best Cities to Visit in Tanzania

The urban centers in this country are full of life and offer many different experiences for guests. You can explore the busy streets of the commercial capital or the quiet paths of the southern highlands. These cities have good hotels and safe transport like the new electric train or local taxis. Most of these places have a rich history that goes back many hundreds of years. You will find that the local people are very kind and ready to help you find your way. Here are the top ten cities you should explore during your next holiday in East Africa.

1. Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam is the largest city in the country and the main hub for business and trade. It has a population of over 6 million people and sits right on the Indian Ocean coast. You can visit the Kariakoo market which is the biggest open air market in the whole region. The city has many beautiful beaches in the north and south where you can enjoy fresh seafood. It is also the main place to take the ferry to Zanzibar island every day. This is one of the best cities to visit in Tanzania for people who love big city energy. You should try the local street food like chips mayai while you explore the busy streets.

• Visit the National Museum to see the history of early humans.
• Take a boat to Mbudya Island for a quiet day on the sand.
• Eat fresh fish at the Kivukoni fish market in the morning.
• Shop for local fabrics and spices in the Kariakoo district.
• Enjoy the nightlife in the Masaki and Oyster Bay areas.

2. Arusha

Arusha is often called the safari capital of the world because it is so close to the parks. It sits at the foot of Mount Meru and has a very cool and fresh climate. You will see many safari cars with big tires driving through the city streets every day. The city is the center for the gemstone trade including the rare purple Tanzanite stone. You can visit the Clock Tower which is the middle point between Cairo and Cape Town. It is the best place to stay before you go to the Serengeti or the Ngorongoro Crater. This city is a strong starting point for every wildlife lover in the north.

• Visit the Arusha Cultural Centre to see amazing African art.
• Take a day trip to Arusha National Park to see giraffes.
• Shop for jewelry at the Maasai Market near the city center.
• Enjoy local coffee at one of the many garden cafes.
• Hike the lower slopes of Mount Meru for great city views.

3. Zanzibar City (Stone Town)

Zanzibar City is most famous for its old part called Stone Town which is a UNESCO site. The streets are very narrow and winding like a maze of ancient history. You can smell the cloves and cinnamon in the air from the local spice markets nearby. Most of the buildings have large wooden doors with brass spikes from the old Arab days. You can visit the Palace Museum to learn about the sultans who lived there long ago. The city is right on the ocean and has a very busy harbor for local boats. It is a very romantic and historic place that every person should see at least once.

• Walk through the narrow alleys of Stone Town with a local guide.
• Eat fresh grilled octopus at the Forodhani Gardens night market.
• Visit the Old Fort to see local music and dance shows.
• Take a boat to Prison Island to see the giant tortoises.
• Shop for handmade perfumes and spices in the local shops.

4. Mwanza

Mwanza is the second largest city and is known as the Rock City of the north. It sits on the shores of Lake Victoria which is the largest lake in Africa. You will see many giant rocks balanced on top of each other along the water. The Bismarck Rock is the most famous landmark that sits in the lake near the shore. Mwanza is a busy port for fishing and has many factories for the local cotton trade. You can enjoy the fresh Tilapia fish which is the most popular food in this city. It is one of the Tanzania best cities for people who like beautiful lake scenery.

• Take a photo of the Bismarck Rock during the sunset hours.
• Visit the Saanane Island National Park by taking a short boat.
• Explore the local fish markets to see the giant Nile Perch.
• Hike up the rocky hills for a view of the whole lake.
• Visit the Sukuma Museum to learn about the local tribal culture.

5. Dodoma

Dodoma is the national capital of the country and the center for all political work. It became the capital in 1974 because it sits in the middle of the nation. The city is much drier and hotter than the coastal towns like Dar es Salaam. You will see many new government buildings and wide roads being built there today. Dodoma is also famous for its local vineyards that produce very good red and white wine. You can take the new SGR electric train from Dar es Salaam to get here fast. It is a very quiet and organized city compared to the busy commercial hubs.

• Visit the Parliament building to see where the laws are made.
• Take a tour of a local vineyard to taste the Dodoma wine.
• Hike up Lion Rock for a view of the capital city skyline.
• Visit the Gaddafi Mosque which is one of the largest in Africa.
• Eat at the local restaurants that serve traditional central food.

6. Moshi

Moshi is a very clean and quiet town located at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the main place where hikers start their journey to the highest peak in Africa. The mountain is 5,895 meters high and you can see it from the town streets. Moshi is famous for its coffee farms that grow on the green slopes of the mountain. You can visit the local waterfalls or swim in the warm springs of Chemka nearby. The town is very organized and the people are very proud of their clean environment. It is one of the most peaceful cities to visit in Tanzania for a few days.

• Visit a local coffee farm to learn how coffee is made.
• Take a taxi to the Materuni waterfalls for a day of hiking.
• Swim in the clear blue water of the Chemka Hot Springs.
• Shop for hiking gear and local crafts in the town center.
• Watch the sunrise over Mount Kilimanjaro from your hotel balcony.

7. Tanga

Tanga is a very quiet coastal city located in the northern part of the country. It was once a very busy port for the sisal trade many years ago. You can visit the Amboni Caves which are the largest limestone caves in East Africa. The city has a very relaxed vibe with many old buildings from the German colonial days. You can take a boat to the Toten Island to see old ruins and trees. It is much less crowded than Zanzibar but offers a similar coastal feel for guests. The streets are wide and have many old trees that give plenty of shade.

• Explore the dark and mysterious tunnels of the Amboni Caves.
• Visit the Galanos Sulfur Springs for a warm and healthy bath.
• Walk along the old harbor to see the colonial architecture.
• Take a day trip to the Usambara Mountains for a forest walk.
• Enjoy the quiet beaches that are far from the city center noise.

8. Iringa

Iringa is a beautiful city located high up in the southern highlands of the country. It sits on top of a cliff and has a very cool and fresh climate. The city is famous for its history of resistance led by Chief Mkwawa against the Germans. You can visit the Gangilonga Rock where the chief used to sit and think. Iringa is the main gateway for people visiting the Ruaha National Park in the south. You will see many local markets selling high quality woven baskets and handmade crafts. The air is very clean and the views of the valley below are very pretty.

• Hike up to Gangilonga Rock to see the whole city below you.
• Visit the Isimila Stone Age site to see very old stone tools.
• Shop for famous Iringa baskets at the local women groups.
• Enjoy the cool mountain air while walking through the old streets.
• Stop here for a night before your safari in Ruaha National Park.

9. Kigoma

Kigoma is a remote city located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in the far west. It is the last stop for the historic railway that starts in Dar es Salaam. The lake is the second deepest in the world and has very clear blue water. Kigoma is the best place to stay if you want to visit Gombe National Park. This is where Jane Goodall did her famous work with the wild chimpanzees long ago. You can see the local fishing boats with their lights on the lake at night. It is a very wild and natural city that feels very far from the world.

• Take a boat to Gombe Stream to see the wild chimpanzees today.
• Visit the historic town of Ujiji where Livingstone met Stanley.
• Swim in the clear and deep waters of Lake Tanganyika safely.
• Visit the local markets to buy fresh sardines called dagaa.
• Explore the old railway station that was built by the Germans.

10. Tabora

Tabora is a historic city in the central part of the country with many mango trees. It was a very important center for trade and railways during the colonial times. You can visit the Livingstone Museum to learn about the famous explorers of the past. The city is known for its high quality honey that is sold across the whole nation. You will see many old houses with large gardens that show the history of the town. It is a very quiet place that is perfect for learning about the inland history. The people are very friendly and the pace of life is very slow and easy.

• Visit the Kwihara museum to see the old house of Livingstone.
• Buy fresh and natural forest honey at the local town market.
• Walk through the streets to see the many giant mango trees.
• Take the train to experience the classic Tanzanian rail travel.
• Visit the local schools and colleges that are famous in the region.

Other Good Cities to Visit in Tanzania

1. Morogoro: This city is located at the foot of the Uluguru Mountains and is very green. It is a very popular place for people who love hiking and forest walks on weekends. You can reach this city in just three hours from Dar es Salaam by car today. It is a best cities to visit in Tanzania choice for a quick escape from the heat. You will love the fresh vegetables and fruits that are sold in the markets here.

2. Mtwara: Mtwara is a coastal city in the far south near the border of Mozambique. It has a very large and modern port and many beautiful and quiet beaches nearby. You can visit the Mnazi Bay Marine Park to see colorful fish and coral reefs. The city is growing fast because of the gas industry but it stays very quiet. It is a great place for people who want to see the southern coast of the land.

3. Lindi: Lindi is a very old and historic town located on a beautiful bay in the south. It has many old buildings and a very relaxed and slow pace of life for guests. You can walk along the shore to see the local fishermen bringing in their daily catch. It is a very peaceful place that has not changed much over the last many years. You will find the people to be very kind and welcoming to every visitor who arrives.

4. Sumbawanga: This city is located in the far west and is known for its high food production. It sits on a high plateau and has a very cool and pleasant climate for everyone. You can see the beautiful plains and hills of the Rukwa region from the city center. It is a very important hub for trade with the neighboring country of Zambia nearby. The town is growing and offers a very authentic look at the life in western Tanzania.

5. Njombe: Njombe is one of the coldest cities in the country and is located in the southern highlands. It is famous for its large pine forests and the production of tea and Irish potatoes. You will see many green hills and small streams as you drive through the local area. It is a very clean and quiet town that is perfect for a restful and cool stay. The local people are very hardworking and they produce many things for the national market.

6. Musoma: Musoma is a beautiful town located on a peninsula in Lake Victoria in the north. It has many quiet beaches and a very friendly and social atmosphere for all the visitors. You can visit the Mwalimu Nyerere Museum in the nearby village to learn about the first president. The city has a very fresh breeze from the lake that keeps it cool during the day. It is a hidden gem that many tourists do not visit but it is very beautiful.

Conclusion

Finding the best cities to visit in Tanzania will make your East African holiday full of great memories and local culture. You can choose the busy streets of Dar es Salaam or the quiet mountain paths of Moshi for your trip. These urban centers offer a safe and friendly environment for every traveler to enjoy the beauty of the land today. Most of these cities are easy to reach by bus or plane from the major international gates. Plan your journey carefully to see the diverse cities to visit in Tanzania and enjoy the local life. Your visit will support the local people and help you understand this wonderful nation better.