When you travel to a new country, bringing home something handmade makes the experience even more special. In Tanzania, you’ll find colourful markets filled with local art, crafts, and souvenirs that truly reflect the country’s culture.
From wood carvings and bead jewellery to woven baskets and traditional fabrics, Tanzanian markets offer treasures you won’t find anywhere else. And the best part? You get to meet the artists, learn their stories, and support local communities.
In this blog, we’ll take you through some of the top markets in Tanzania to buy authentic handicrafts. Whether you're shopping in a big city or a small town, these places are perfect for finding unique and handmade items.
If you’re in Dar es Salaam, don’t miss the Mwenge Woodcarvers Market. This market is known for its beautiful Makonde wood carvings – one of the most famous traditional art forms in Tanzania.
You’ll find all sorts of wooden items here – from masks and sculptures to furniture and bowls. The carvers often work right in front of you, which makes shopping feel even more personal.
Why visit:
Watch the artists at work
Buy directly from the makers
Great for souvenirs and gifts
Location Tip: It's located near the Village Museum, so you can combine both in one visit.
Arusha is a gateway city to safaris, but it’s also a great place to shop for crafts. The Maasai Market here is colourful, lively, and filled with handmade items like beaded jewellery, shukas (traditional cloths), leather goods, and sandals.
The Maasai people are known for their strong cultural identity, and their art reflects their history and lifestyle. The market is tourist-friendly but still authentic.
What to buy:
Beaded earrings and necklaces
Decorated Maasai shields
Colourful Maasai blankets (shukas)
Bargaining Tip: Bargaining is common here. Be polite, smile, and enjoy the process!
This isn’t a street market, but the Cultural Heritage Centre is one of the best places in Tanzania for high-quality handicrafts. It’s more like an art gallery and shopping space rolled into one.
Here you can buy fine Tanzanite jewellery, African paintings, sculptures, antiques, and traditional clothes. It’s great for those who want to buy something unique and well-crafted.
Why visit:
Wide variety of art and crafts
Clean, organised, and air-conditioned
Good stop for tourists on safari
Note: Prices are fixed here, so it’s more peaceful than the busy street markets.
Tanzania is the birthplace of Tinga Tinga painting – a colourful and fun art style that started in Dar es Salaam. You can visit the Tinga Tinga Art Cooperative to buy original paintings or even get a custom piece made.
This is a great place to meet the painters and learn how they create their bright, detailed artworks using enamel paint and bold borders.
Good to know:
Great for decorating your home
Easy to carry small canvases for travellers
Supports local artists directly
Mwanza, located near Lake Victoria, is not as touristy as Arusha or Dar, but its markets are full of charm. Local artisans sell woven baskets, pottery, and hand-stitched clothes.
Here, the shopping feels real. You’re walking through rows of small stalls, talking to sellers, and seeing how life works in Tanzania’s lake region.
Top picks:
Traditional fishing baskets
Handmade drums
Locally dyed fabrics (kitenge)
Tip: English may not be spoken by everyone here, but a smile goes a long way!
Zanzibar isn’t just about beaches. If you walk through the narrow streets of Stone Town, you’ll find small shops and markets selling spices, clothing, and beautiful handicrafts.
You can pick up Zanzibari door miniatures, spice boxes, or handmade perfumes. The mix of Arab, African, and Indian culture shows in every item.
Markets to explore:
Darajani Market (for a real local vibe)
Mrembo Spa Shop (for beauty and craft items)
Memories of Zanzibar (tourist-friendly but fairly priced)
This is one of the busiest markets in Tanzania. While Kariakoo is mostly known for everyday items and clothes, you can also find small stalls selling handmade jewellery, local fabrics, and craft materials.
It's not a tourist market, so things are cheaper and more local. But be ready – it can get loud and crowded!
Insider Tip:
Go with a local if possible
Keep your belongings safe
Explore side lanes for hidden craft stalls
Want something more rural and raw? Head to Ngaramtoni Market, about 12 km from Arusha town. It’s a local livestock and farmers’ market, but you’ll also find handmade leather goods, jewellery, and tools made by the Maasai and Meru people.
Why it’s worth it:
Real local life experience
Unique handicrafts not found in tourist shops
Great place for photos and stories
Shanga is not just a shop – it’s a social enterprise. Located inside the Arusha Coffee Lodge, Shanga employs people with disabilities to create beautiful crafts like glassware, beadwork, and woven items.
Shopping here means supporting a good cause while taking home something handmade and heartfelt.
Things to love:
Eco-friendly items
Unique designs
Beautiful workspace to visit
Carry small cash: Most sellers prefer Tanzanian shillings and may not accept cards.
Negotiate kindly: Bargaining is part of the culture, but always be respectful.
Ask before taking photos: Especially in local markets – it shows respect.
Support local artisans: Always try to buy directly from the person who made the item.
Tanzania’s markets are more than shopping spots – they’re living stories.
Every carving, every fabric, and every piece of jewellery has a history, a culture, and a pair of hands behind it.
By shopping at these markets, you’re not just taking home souvenirs — you’re taking a part of Tanzania’s soul, and helping local artists and communities grow.
So next time you visit Tanzania, go beyond the malls and gift shops. Wander into a market, talk to a seller, and find something that speaks to you. That’s where the real magic is.
