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Harare
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Harare, Zimbabwe’s leafy capital, blends Shona culture, contemporary arts, historic landmarks, wildlife experiences, markets and gardens.

A Garden City in the Highveld

Harare is Zimbabwe’s capital, set on a high plateau where warm days, clear skies and summer rains nurture broad avenues, flowering jacarandas and generous public gardens. Its spacious layout gives the city a different rhythm from the tightly concentrated historic centres of southern Africa: neighbourhoods spread among mature trees, embassies, offices, independent cafés and residential streets. The city centre provides the clearest sense of Harare’s civic scale, while areas such as Avondale, Borrowdale and Mount Pleasant reveal its contemporary commercial and social life.
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Art, History and Urban Life

Harare’s cultural character is closely tied to Zimbabwe’s Shona heritage and to the country’s modern artistic community. The National Gallery of Zimbabwe presents changing exhibitions of Zimbabwean and regional art, while the Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences offers archaeological and ethnographic context, including material connected with Great Zimbabwe. At Chapungu Sculpture Park, stone sculpture is displayed in landscaped surroundings, reflecting one of the country’s best-known artistic traditions. Markets, craft stalls and music venues add a more informal dimension to the city’s cultural life, although opening arrangements can vary.

Green Spaces and Nearby Landscapes

For outdoor experiences within the metropolitan area, Mukuvisi Woodlands provides a protected setting where visitors may encounter indigenous wildlife and woodland habitats, while Harare Gardens offers a calmer central retreat. The granite formations of Domboshawa, northeast of the city, provide a popular excursion into the surrounding landscape, and the National Botanic Garden of Zimbabwe introduces visitors to the country’s diverse plant life. Harare is best understood through the contrast between its planned civic spaces, creative communities and the broad natural environment of Zimbabwe’s highveld.

When is the best time to visit Harare?

Best: May, August–September · 22–24°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January26168
February27140
March2695
April2548
May (best)2215
June194
July192
August (best)223
September (best)2414
October2650
November28122
December28156

Getting to and around Harare

How to get there

Most international visitors arrive through Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, approximately 15 kilometres east of central Harare. It is the country’s principal international airport and has road connections to the capital’s central districts. Harare is also connected by long-distance road services to other Zimbabwean cities and neighbouring countries, although routes, operators and border procedures can change. Rail has historical importance, but passenger services are more limited and less predictable than road travel. Travellers arriving overland should allow time for border formalities and confirm current transport arrangements before departure, particularly when continuing towards Bulawayo, Mutare, Zambia, Botswana or South Africa.

Transportation

Harare is spread out, and walking is most practical within individual districts or around compact areas of the city centre rather than between suburbs. Local minibuses and commuter omnibuses are widely used, while taxis and app-based ride services may be available depending on the area and current operating conditions. Travellers should use clearly identified, reputable transport and agree fares before private journeys where no meter is used. A hired car can be useful for reaching outlying attractions, but traffic, road conditions, parking and unfamiliar driving conventions require care. Distances between central Harare, Borrowdale, Mbare and the airport can be considerable.

Best attractions in Harare

Harare’s principal attractions reflect its role as a cultural capital and its setting among highveld gardens and woodland. The National Gallery of Zimbabwe introduces visitors to the country’s modern and contemporary art, while the Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences places local archaeology, ethnography and natural history in a wider national context. Harare Gardens and the National Botanic Garden of Zimbabwe provide leafy spaces for a slower exploration of indigenous and cultivated plants. At Mukuvisi Woodlands, a protected urban reserve, guided visits can reveal wildlife and native habitats close to the city. Chapungu Sculpture Park presents Zimbabwean stone sculpture in landscaped surroundings, and the granite outcrops of Domboshawa, northeast of Harare, offer a rewarding excursion beyond the central districts. Harare’s markets, galleries and independent craft spaces complete a sightseeing experience that moves between formal institutions, open-air culture and the city’s expansive natural setting.

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Best landmarks in Harare

Harare’s landmarks express the capital’s colonial foundations, independent national identity and civic importance. The National Heroes Acre, on a hill west of the city, is a major memorial site honouring figures associated with Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and national history. In the centre, the Anglican Cathedral of St Mary and All Saints and the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Sacred Heart reflect the city’s early institutional architecture and continuing religious life. The National Archives of Zimbabwe preserves important documentary collections, while the Zimbabwe Parliament and surrounding government precinct represent Harare’s role as the country’s political capital. The Kopje, a granite outcrop rising above central Harare, provides a geographical reference point and a reminder of the city’s rocky highveld setting. The city’s broad avenues, mature trees and surviving civic buildings show how the former Salisbury was planned, while post-independence memorials and renamed public spaces give the urban landscape a distinctly Zimbabwean meaning.

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Explore Harare on the map

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Best restaurants in Harare

Harare’s dining scene draws on Zimbabwean staples, regional southern African influences and an increasingly varied international repertoire. Sadza, a thick maize-meal staple, is commonly served with vegetables, beans, meat or relishes, while grilled meats, freshwater fish and seasonal produce appear across casual and more polished menus. Mbare and other market areas offer a closer view of everyday food trading, although visitors should choose carefully where to eat and favour busy, well-maintained stalls. In Avondale, Borrowdale and central commercial districts, cafés and restaurants range from bakeries and coffee shops to venues serving contemporary African cooking, Indian food and international dishes. Local specialities may include muriwo greens, roasted maize and peanut-based relishes, while Zimbabwean tea and locally produced drinks feature in relaxed daytime settings. Dining customs and payment options vary, so confirming prices and accepted payment methods is sensible.

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Best bars in Harare

Harare’s evening life is varied but dispersed rather than concentrated in one nightlife quarter. Avondale, Borrowdale, the city centre and parts of Samora Machel Avenue have restaurants, bars and lounges where evenings may begin with conversation, live music or contemporary African performances. The capital has a strong musical culture spanning sungura, jazz, gospel, hip-hop and newer urban styles, with concerts and cultural events taking place at changing venues. Cocktail lounges and hotel bars generally offer a quieter setting, while selected clubs and live-music spaces become busier later in the evening. Theatre, poetry, gallery openings and arts events provide alternatives to clubbing. Visitors should arrange reliable transport, avoid isolated walks after dark and check current event information, as opening arrangements and venue programmes can change.

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Best nightclubs in Harare

Harare’s evening life is varied but dispersed rather than concentrated in one nightlife quarter. Avondale, Borrowdale, the city centre and parts of Samora Machel Avenue have restaurants, bars and lounges where evenings may begin with conversation, live music or contemporary African performances. The capital has a strong musical culture spanning sungura, jazz, gospel, hip-hop and newer urban styles, with concerts and cultural events taking place at changing venues. Cocktail lounges and hotel bars generally offer a quieter setting, while selected clubs and live-music spaces become busier later in the evening. Theatre, poetry, gallery openings and arts events provide alternatives to clubbing. Visitors should arrange reliable transport, avoid isolated walks after dark and check current event information, as opening arrangements and venue programmes can change.

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Best shops in Harare

Shopping in Harare ranges from informal produce trading and craft stalls to modern malls and specialist boutiques. Mbare Musika is one of the capital’s most important trading areas, known for produce, household goods and the intense commercial movement of a major urban market; visitors should take local advice and keep valuables secure. Flea markets and craft sellers in areas such as Avondale offer stone sculpture, woven goods, woodwork, textiles and souvenirs, though quality and provenance vary. Sam Levy’s Village in Borrowdale and Eastgate in the city centre provide more conventional retail, cafés and services, while smaller independent shops appear in suburban commercial districts. Zimbabwean stone sculpture is a particularly significant purchase, and reputable sellers should be able to explain the artist, material and origin. Bargaining may be appropriate in informal markets but should be conducted politely and without treating handmade work as disposable merchandise.

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Harare essentials

Currency and Payment
Zimbabwe’s official currency arrangements have changed several times, and the Zimbabwe Gold currency, known as ZiG, was introduced in 2024 alongside the continued practical importance of foreign currencies. United States dollars remain widely used in tourism and everyday commerce, but acceptance of cards, mobile payments and local currency can vary between businesses. Carry clean, smaller-value notes for markets, cafés, taxis and smaller purchases, and use ATMs cautiously because availability and dispensing currency may differ. International visitors should check current official guidance and payment conditions shortly before travel rather than relying on older currency advice.
Safety
Harare requires the normal precautions appropriate to a large city. Keep phones, cameras and documents discreet in busy areas, markets and transport hubs, and avoid displaying substantial amounts of cash. Use established transport for airport transfers and evening journeys, particularly when travelling beyond familiar hotel or restaurant areas. Walking after dark is generally less practical in the city’s spread-out suburbs, where pavements and lighting can be inconsistent. Demonstrations and political gatherings should be avoided, as should photographing government buildings, security installations or police activity. Ask local accommodation staff about current neighbourhood conditions and road travel before setting out.
Emergency Situations
In Zimbabwe, commonly published emergency numbers include 999 for police, 994 for ambulance services and 993 for the fire brigade; mobile access and local arrangements can vary, so confirm these numbers with accommodation staff on arrival. State the location clearly and explain the nature of the emergency, as addressing can be less straightforward outside central districts. International visitors should carry travel insurance that includes medical evacuation, since specialist treatment may not always be available locally. Keep passport details, insurance contacts and emergency numbers separately from original documents, and seek immediate assistance from a hotel, lodge or established tour provider if a situation is difficult to manage.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress neatly and modestly when visiting religious, civic or formal settings, and ask permission before photographing people, artworks or market stalls. A courteous greeting and patient conversation are valued, while aggressive bargaining can be considered disrespectful; negotiate calmly where bargaining is customary. Tipping is appreciated for good service but is not a substitute for confirming the price beforehand. Do not photograph government buildings, military or police facilities, border posts or demonstrations without explicit permission. At wildlife areas, follow guides’ instructions, keep a safe distance from animals and never feed them. Be especially respectful when discussing politics, history and economic conditions.
Local Tips
Harare’s districts are dispersed, so group visits by area: combine the National Gallery and city-centre institutions on one outing, and explore Avondale, Borrowdale or Mount Pleasant separately. Mbare is important for understanding the capital’s trading life, but it is best visited with local guidance and heightened attention to belongings. The dry season can bring bright, comfortable mornings, while the rainy season transforms the city’s gardens and highveld vegetation. For craft shopping, compare pieces carefully and ask about materials and provenance. Confirm photography rules, transport arrangements and payment options before leaving central Harare, particularly for visits to outlying parks and sculpture sites.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloMhoro[M-ho-ro]
GoodbyeKwaheri[Kwa-he-ri]
YesEhe[E-he]
NoAa[A-a]
Please/You're welcomeNdatenda[N-da-ten-da]
Thank youNdinotenda[N-di-no-ten-da]
Excuse me/SorrySamaita[Sa-mai-ta]
How are you?Makadii?[Ma-ka-di-i]
Fine. And you?Nzuri. Ndiwe here?[N-zu-ri. N-di-we he-re]
Do you speak English?Wapindirana neEnglish here?[Wa-pin-di-ra-na ne-En-glish he-re]
I don't understandHandizive[Han-di-zi-ve]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseNdakuda kuziva menu, musanyeperwe[N-da-ku-da ku-zi-va me-nu, mu-sa-nye-pe-rwe]
I don't eat meatHandidi kudya nyama[Han-di-di ku-dya nya-ma]
Cheers!Mangwanani![Man-gwa-na-ni]
I would like to pay, pleaseNdakuda kuitira mari, musanyeperwe[N-da-ku-da ku-i-ti-ra ma-ri, mu-sa-nye-pe-rwe]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Taurai![Tau-rai]
Go away!Tora zvako![To-ra zva-ko]
Call the Police!Daira mapurisa![Dai-ra ma-pu-ri-sa]
Call a doctor!Daira dokita![Dai-ra do-ki-ta]
I'm lostNdatisvitsa[N-da-ti-svi-tsa]
I'm illNdirikusvika[N-di-ri-ku-svi-ka]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ndakuda kubika...[N-da-ku-da ku-bi-ka]
I'm just lookingNdichida kubvunza[N-di-chi-da ku-bvun-za]
How much is it?Zvinoita marii?[Zvi-noi-ta ma-ri-i]
That's too expensiveIzvi zvinoita marii kupera[Iz-vi zvi-noi-ta ma-ri-i ku-pe-ra]
Can you lower the price?Unogona kuwedzera pfuma?[U-no-go-na ku-we-dze-ra pfu-ma]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Saa here?[Sa-a he-re]
It's one o'clockSaora yekutanga[Sa-o-ra ye-ku-tan-ga]
Half past (10)Chete kumagumbezi (10)[Che-te ku-ma-gum-be-zi (10)]
MorningMukomana[Mu-ko-ma-na]
AfternoonMuvhuro[Mu-vhu-ro]
EveningMazuva ano[Ma-zu-va a-no]
YesterdayNezuro[Ne-zu-ro]
TodayNhasi[Nha-si]
TomorrowMangwana[Man-gwa-na]
1Mbudzi[M-bud-zi]
2Gumi[Gu-mi]
3Gumi nhariri[Gu-mi nha-ri-ri]
4Gumi nhatu[Gu-mi nha-tu]
5Gumi nhaanhu[Gu-mi nha-an-hu]
6Gumi nhanhatu[Gu-mi nha-nha-tu]
7Gumi nhanhomwe[Gu-mi nha-nho-mwe]
8Gumi nhasedzi[Gu-mi nha-se-dzi]
9Gumi nhasere[Gu-mi nha-se-re]
10Gumi nharwadzi[Gu-mi nha-rwa-dzi]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Zviri kupi...?[Zvi-ri ku-pi]
What's the address?Address rinonzi here?[Ad-dres ri-no-nzi he-re]
Can you show me (on the map)?Unogona kunandisa (pamap)?[U-no-go-na ku-nan-di-sa (pa-map)]
When's the next (bus)?Bus inonzi here?[Bus i-no-nzi he-re]
A ticket (to ....)Ticket (kumusha kuno ...)[Ti-cket (ku-mu-sha ku-no)]

History of Harare

The Shona Landscape Before Colonial Rule

The Harare area lies in Mashonaland, a region whose history long predates the modern capital. Shona-speaking communities cultivated crops, raised livestock and developed local political and trading networks across the highveld. Archaeological evidence from the wider region records settlements and material cultures associated with the deep history of southern Africa, while the legacy of Great Zimbabwe remains an important reference point in understanding Zimbabwean identity, although the monument itself is not in Harare. Before colonial occupation, the area was shaped by rural settlement, seasonal cultivation and African systems of authority rather than by a formal city plan.

The Pioneer Column and Salisbury

In 1890 the British South Africa Company’s Pioneer Column entered Mashonaland and established a settlement at the site that became Salisbury. The settlement was named after the British prime minister Lord Salisbury and developed as a colonial administrative and commercial centre. Its growth formed part of a broader process of land appropriation, political conquest and economic reorganisation that placed African communities under colonial rule. Roads, railway connections and administrative buildings strengthened the settlement’s regional importance, while the surrounding land was increasingly integrated into settler agriculture and colonial institutions.

Colonial Expansion and Segregated Urbanism

During the first half of the twentieth century, Salisbury expanded as the capital of Southern Rhodesia and became a centre for government, commerce, farming administration and education. Its urban form reflected colonial segregation, with unequal access to land, housing, services and political power for African residents. The city’s broad roads, civic buildings and planned suburbs were developed alongside African townships and compounds, creating spatial divisions that continued to influence Harare after independence. Railway links and the growth of commercial farming helped connect Salisbury to the wider regional economy, while African political organisations increasingly challenged colonial rule.

Nationalism and the Road to Independence

The post-war period brought rapid demographic change and intensifying opposition to minority rule. African nationalist movements, including the Zimbabwe African National Union and the Zimbabwe African People’s Union, mobilised against the political system of Rhodesian rule, while the liberation war placed pressure on the colonial state during the 1970s. Negotiations at Lancaster House led to the independence settlement of 1979, followed by the birth of Zimbabwe in April 1980. Salisbury was renamed Harare, adopting a name associated with the historical figure Neharawa and marking a decisive symbolic break with its colonial identity.

Harare in Independent Zimbabwe

After independence, Harare became the political and administrative capital of Zimbabwe and a focal point for national institutions, education, business and cultural production. Public life expanded as formerly segregated spaces were reshaped, although inherited inequalities and uneven urban development remained significant challenges. Museums, galleries, universities and civic institutions helped express a national identity drawing on Shona, Ndebele and other Zimbabwean histories. The city also became an important base for the country’s contemporary stone-sculpture movement, whose work gained international recognition through artists and workshops associated with Zimbabwe.

Contemporary Urban Transformation

In the twenty-first century, Harare has combined established government districts and mature suburbs with expanding commercial areas, informal enterprise and new residential development. Economic pressures, currency changes, infrastructure constraints and periods of rapid population growth have shaped everyday urban life, while civil society, musicians, designers and visual artists continue to contribute to the city’s cultural energy. Places such as Mbare, Avondale and Borrowdale illustrate different aspects of Harare’s social and commercial geography. Its present character is therefore neither solely colonial nor simply modern: it is a layered capital shaped by independence, regional migration and continuing urban adaptation.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Harare

Discover Harare with Evendo, your 100% free app-based travel guide. Explore attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more with ease.

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Evendo is your comprehensive, free travel guide to Harare, Zimbabwe. With detailed information on attractions, restaurants, and more, plan your perfect trip effortlessly.

  • History of Harare and travel essentials
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
  • Easy navigation through the app and the city
  • 'Near Me' feature to discover nearby attractions

Embark on an unforgettable adventure in Harare, Zimbabwe with Evendo, your ultimate travel guide. This 100% free app is designed to help you make the most of your trip by offering detailed information on the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities. Whether you're visiting the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, exploring the Mbare Musika Market, or dining at the renowned Amanzi Restaurant, Evendo provides rich descriptions, local tips, images, maps, and contact details to ensure you have all the information you need at your fingertips.

Experience the convenience of booking hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly through the app. Say goodbye to the hassle of searching for what to see, do, and experience, and figuring out how to get there. Evendo has it all covered in one place, making your travel planning seamless and enjoyable.

With features like historical insights on Harare, travel essentials, curated local tips, and easy navigation, Evendo is your go-to companion for exploring the city. The 'Near Me' feature allows you to discover nearby attractions no matter where you are, ensuring you never miss out on hidden gems. Download Evendo today and start your Harare adventure with confidence.

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