Tanga is a quiet port city on Tanzania's northern coast, about 185 km north of Dar es Salaam and roughly halfway to the Kenyan border. It was once one of the most important towns in German East Africa, and the colonial architecture along the waterfront and main streets still gives it a faded grandeur that Dar es Salaam has long since demolished.
The pace here is slow. There are no major tourist sights, which is precisely the appeal — Tanga is a place to rest, walk the old streets, and enjoy the coast without crowds. The town centre is compact enough to explore on foot, with the main commercial life along Market Street and Independence Street and the bustling Usagara Market south of it. The Tanga Yacht Club, on the waterfront near the port, welcomes visitors with day membership and is a pleasant spot for a drink overlooking the harbour. The nearest swimming is at Raskazone Beach on the headland, ten minutes from the centre.
Travellers heading overland between Dar es Salaam and Mombasa can break the journey here. The Amboni Caves, about 8 km north of town, are the most extensive limestone cave system in East Africa and worth a visit, easily combined with the Galanos Hot Springs along the same road. The Tongoni Ruins, a collection of medieval Shirazi tombs further down the coast, are another easy half-day excursion. The bay itself can be explored by boat from the harbour to Toten Island, where ruined Shirazi tombs sit among the mangroves.