Coast, seafood, Zanzibar a ferry-ride away. Your complete guide to Tanzania's largest city for AFCON 2027.
The expat and tourist heartland of Dar — peninsula suburbs with the best hotels, restaurants and beach access. Safe, walkable and 20–30 minutes from the stadium. Slipway Shopping Centre and Sea Cliff Village are the social hubs here.
A quieter extension of the Masaki area with a more residential feel. Good guesthouses and serviced apartments at reasonable rates. The peninsula road has a cluster of bars and restaurants popular with expats.
Budget hotels and business accommodation near the ferry terminal and main markets. Cheaper than Masaki but more chaotic. Useful if you're heading to Zanzibar via ferry — the terminal is walking distance.
The main commercial district — very local, very busy, and genuinely interesting to explore in the daytime. Not recommended for accommodation but worth visiting the famous Kariakoo Market.
Marinated beef or goat skewers grilled over charcoal — everywhere in Dar, especially around the stadium and fan zones. Served with chapati or ugali. 500–2000 TZS each. Always eat them fresh off the grill.
A folded street-food omelette stuffed with meat, vegetables and sometimes cheese, cooked on a flat griddle. Found at night markets and street corners across Dar. One of the most distinctive eating experiences in Tanzania.
A thick omelette with chips baked inside — Tanzania's great late-night comfort food. Served cut into wedges with chilli sauce. Available from street vendors especially after matches.
Pick your fish fresh from the catch and have it grilled on the spot at the harbour market. Best fresh seafood meal you can have in East Africa for almost nothing.
Bolt is available in Dar and is the easiest option for tourists. InDriver (bid-your-price app) is also popular. Prices are cheap but surge on match days. Always confirm your driver's name and plate before getting in.
Bajajis (auto-rickshaws) fill the gap between Bolt and walking for short trips. Agree the price before you get in — 2,000–5,000 TZS for most short hops.
About 12km from Masaki. Bolt costs around 15,000–25,000 TZS, 20–40 minutes depending on traffic. Walk past airport taxi touts to the Bolt pickup area.
The ferry terminal is in the CBD. Azam Marine and Kilimanjaro Fast Ferry both run services. Fast ferry is 35 minutes. Tickets cost $35–$50 one way for foreigners. Book ahead during AFCON.
Dar is broadly safe for tourists especially in the Masaki and Oyster Bay areas. The CBD and Kariakoo market require more vigilance — petty theft is common in crowded areas. Don't walk and look at your phone in unfamiliar places.
Be careful on public beaches with belongings. The ocean along the Masaki peninsula can have strong currents — swim at beaches associated with hotels.
Malaria is present — take prophylaxis, use DEET and sleep under a net. Drink only bottled water. The heat in Dar can be intense — stay hydrated especially on match days.
Tanzania Police: 112. Aga Khan Hospital Dar: +255 22 211 5151. Keep your travel insurance number saved before you travel.
Stone Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site), white sand beaches at Nungwi and Kendwa, incredible seafood and a unique Swahili-Arab culture. A 2-night stay is ideal. Book ferries and accommodation well in advance during AFCON.
One of the world's greatest wildlife experiences. June/July is prime season with the Great Migration in the Western Corridor. A 3-night fly-in package around match days is feasible. Book early.
An ancient coastal town with incredible historical significance as a former Arab trade hub. Beautiful ruins, beach accommodation and a genuinely different pace. Great day trip.
The climb takes 6–8 days so not compatible with AFCON, but the views from Arusha (2h from Kilimanjaro Airport) are worth a day trip on their own.
Dar es Salaam match days will be loud, colourful and deeply social. The Final is expected to be hosted here — if so, this will be the loudest night in East African football history.
The National Stadium (Benjamin Mkapa) is in Temeke district — south of the city centre. From Masaki budget 45–60 minutes on a match day even by Bolt. Leave early.
Street vendors, music and unofficial fan zones will operate in the streets around the stadium from hours before kick-off. This is where some of the best AFCON atmosphere happens.
The Masaki restaurant and bar strip will be the post-match destination. Q Bar, Slipway and the Oyster Bay Hotel are among the popular spots.
Our AFCON 2027 packages include flights, accommodation, match tickets and Zanzibar add-ons — all from one place.