Dar es Salaam. Arusha, Tanzania, has been ranked as the third best place to visit in the world in 2026 by CNN Travel, earning rare global recognition as the only destination in sub-Saharan Africa to feature on the influential list.
In its annual 20 Best Places to Visit in 2026 ranking, CNN Travel places Arusha under the theme Paying Homage to a Late Legend, highlighting the city’s growing cultural, historical and conservation significance, alongside its long-standing role as a gateway to some of Africa’s most iconic attractions.
“At the foot of imposing volcanic Mount Meru lies the city of Arusha, in Tanzania, in the east of Africa,” CNN Travel writes.
The publication notes that while Arusha is widely known as a launch point for safaris to Serengeti National Park and expeditions to Mount Kilimanjaro, it also offers a wealth of attractions that justify staying longer in the city itself.
Among the key highlights is the Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre, described as a striking gallery that houses African art while celebrating Tanzanian history.
The centre is singled out as one of the city’s major cultural landmarks, offering visitors insight into the country’s artistic and historical heritage.
CNN Travel further points to a significant upcoming development set to enhance Arusha’s international appeal from late 2026.
This development is the opening of Dr Jane’s Dream: The Goodall Centre for Hope.
Located adjacent to the Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre, the new attraction will celebrate the legacy of the late world-renowned primatologist Jane Goodall.
According to CNN Travel, the centre aims to educate, inspire and engage visitors through interactive exhibits exploring wildlife, conservation and humanity’s responsibility to protect the planet’s animals.
As the only destination in sub-Saharan Africa to make the list, the ranking sets it apart in a selection dominated by destinations from Europe, the Americas, Asia and Oceania.
While the city has recently attracted international attention due to election-related unrest, CNN Travel notes that positive developments are also shaping its image.
Among them is the opening of the 30,000-seat Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium in the Olomoti area of Arusha, which is expected to become a new draw for visitors and a major venue for sporting and cultural events.
CNN Travel also underscores Arusha’s strategic importance as a tourism hub.
The city serves as a gateway to many of Africa’s most celebrated natural attractions, including Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, making it a preferred base for visitors exploring Tanzania’s northern tourism circuit.
While Serengeti and Ngorongoro remain headline attractions, the article highlights nearby Arusha National Park as an easily accessible destination offering rewarding wildlife experiences.
Visitors can spot flamingos on the alkaline Momela Lakes, observe giraffes roaming through lush greenery, and explore forest and mountain scenery on the slopes of Mount Meru, providing a distinctive complement to the broader northern safari experience.
Arusha was ranked after Adelaide in Australia, which CNN Travel says is now more accessible from the United States than ever, and Algeria, which the publication describes as offering rich rewards for intrepid travellers.
Other destinations named among CNN Travel’s best places to visit in 2026 include Aragon in Spain, Bahrain, Brussels in Belgium, the Chilean fjords, Devon in the United Kingdom, Dominica, and East Timor.
And yet other destnations are Jamaica, Kanazawa in Japan, Orkhon Valley in Mongolia, Oulu in Finland, Penang in Malaysia, Peñico in Peru, Philadelphia in the United States, the Sail250 events along the US East Coast, Santa Monica in California, and St Pierre and Miquelon in France.
The list reflects a wide range of cultural, historical and natural experiences worldwide, with Arusha’s high ranking underscoring Tanzania’s rising profile as a destination that blends conservation, culture and access to some of the continent’s most iconic landscapes.
