Tanzania's harbour city and gateway to the coast
Dar es Salaam grew from a Swahili fishing village into Tanzania's commercial capital, spread along a natural harbour on the Indian Ocean. The Kivukoni fish market is busiest early in the morning, the National Museum covers the country's history, and the Village Museum shows traditional houses from different regions. The Msasani Peninsula has the restaurants and beach bars, and boats run out to Bongoyo Island for swimming. Ferries leave from the harbour for Zanzibar, and the city is also the starting point for trips to southern parks such as Nyerere.