Fish Market

Dar es Salaam


Head down to the Kivukoni fish market in the early morning to see fishers flog their catch to restauranteurs and homemakers with all the zeal of Wall St stockbrokers. The market is divided into two main sections, comprising eight zones, one of which is the auction. In other sections fish are cleaned, cooked and resold at marked-up prices. It’s colourful and chaotic, and you could walk away with a handsome snapper for as little as Tsh3000.

Some stalls do still sell shells, but the purchase of them is ill-advised for environmental reasons, and their export is prohibited.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Dar es Salaam attractions

1. State House

0.27 MILES

An imposing complex set amid large grounds, the State House was originally built by the Germans and rebuilt after WWI by the British.

2. National Museum & House of Culture

0.56 MILES

The National Museum houses a copy of the famous fossil discoveries of zinjanthropus ('nutcracker man') from Olduvai Gorge, plus other archaeological finds…

3. Azania Front Lutheran Church

0.62 MILES

A striking edifice, with a red-roofed belfry overlooking the water, a rather stern Gothic interior and a marvellous, new handmade organ, this is one of…

4. Botanical Gardens

0.64 MILES

Although in danger of disappearing beneath development, these botanical gardens provide an essential shady oasis in the city. They were established in…

5. Askari Monument

0.73 MILES

This bronze statue, dedicated to Africans killed in WWI, is now a favourite haunt of street touts and dubious moneychangers.

6. St Joseph Cathedral

0.79 MILES

This spired, Gothic-style, Roman Catholic cathedral was built at the turn of the 19th century by German missionaries. In addition to the striking stained…

8. St Peter's Church

3.17 MILES

In addition to being almost always packed to overflowing during services, St Peter's is a helpful landmark showing the turn-off from busy Ali Hassan…