Harare, Zimbabwe
Harare is the capital and largest city of Zimbabwe, set high on the Highveld at around 1,490 metres, which gives it a mild, sunny climate. Nicknamed the "Sunshine City" and famous for its jacaranda-lined avenues, it is the country's political, commercial and cultural heart.
Highlights
- Capital and largest city of Zimbabwe, on the Highveld at ~1,490 m
- The "Sunshine City", famous for jacaranda-lined avenues
- Landmarks including National Heroes' Acre and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe
- The Eastgate Centre, known for termite-mound-inspired passive cooling
History
Harare was founded in 1890 as Fort Salisbury, established by the Pioneer Column of the British South Africa Company as it advanced into the territory that would become Southern Rhodesia. The site was chosen on the high, well-watered ground of the Highveld, and the fledgling settlement was named after a British prime minister of the day. A low granite hill near the centre, known as the Kopje, overlooked the early town and remains a landmark today.
The town grew quickly as the administrative and commercial centre of the new colony. Streets were laid out in a regular grid, public buildings and churches went up, and the city, then called Salisbury, became the capital of Southern Rhodesia. Its position on the Highveld, with good soils and a temperate climate, made it a hub for the surrounding farming districts, particularly the tobacco lands that would become central to the regional economy.
Through the colonial period, Salisbury developed a substantial central business district, leafy suburbs and the broad, tree-lined avenues for which it is still known. For a time in the 1950s it served as the capital of a short-lived federation linking the Rhodesias and Nyasaland, reinforcing its regional importance. The decades that followed were marked by the long struggle over majority rule, which shaped the country's modern history.
When Zimbabwe achieved independence in 1980, the city remained the national capital. Two years later, in 1982, Salisbury was renamed Harare, after a settlement that had stood in the area before the colonial town, marking the new nation's reclaiming of its own heritage. The renaming symbolised a fresh chapter for the city as the capital of an independent state.
Since independence, Harare has continued to grow and to serve as the centre of national life, hosting government, business and culture. The city has experienced periods of economic difficulty alongside times of expansion, but it has retained its character as the country's administrative heart and its largest urban centre, still celebrated for its sunshine, its gardens and its avenues of flowering trees.
Geography & Climate
Harare lies in the northeastern part of Zimbabwe on the Highveld, the high central plateau that runs through the country. The city stands at roughly 1,490 metres above sea level, and this elevation is central to its character, lifting it well above the heat of the surrounding lowlands. The terrain is gently rolling, dotted with granite outcrops such as the Kopje, and the surrounding region is good farming country, especially for tobacco and maize.
Because of its altitude, Harare enjoys a mild, pleasant subtropical highland climate that has earned it the nickname the "Sunshine City". The cool, dry season from roughly May to August brings clear blue skies, warm days and cool nights. A hotter, dry spell follows in September and October, the time when the city's celebrated jacaranda trees burst into purple bloom. The warm, wet season from November to March delivers most of the year's rain in afternoon thunderstorms, turning the city and its gardens lush and green. Even in summer, the elevation keeps temperatures comfortable compared with lower-lying tropical areas.
Economy
As the capital, Harare is the centre of Zimbabwe's government, finance and administration. It hosts the national ministries, parliament, the central bank, the stock exchange and the head offices of major companies, making public administration, banking and services major sources of employment. The city dominates the country's formal economy and is the main point through which national and international business is conducted.
The surrounding Highveld is prime farming country, and tobacco has long been one of Zimbabwe's most important crops, with much of the trade, processing and export activity tied to the capital. Beyond agriculture and finance, Harare's economy includes manufacturing, construction, retail and a wide range of services. Its markets, workshops and trading districts support a large and active informal sector that is vital to everyday city life.
Harare remains the country's largest consumer market and its principal commercial hub. Although the wider national economy has passed through difficult and volatile periods, the capital continues to anchor business, draw investment and serve as the gateway for trade and travel into Zimbabwe, including for visitors heading on to the country's renowned natural attractions.
Districts & Layout
Harare is laid out around its central grid and spreads into a wide ring of suburbs and townships:
- The central business district — the gridded city centre with offices, shops, banks and civic buildings, overlooked by the granite Kopje.
- The northern suburbs — leafy, established residential areas known for their gardens, jacaranda avenues and spacious homes.
- Mbare — a dense, lively older township close to the centre, home to the famous Mbare Musika market and a hub of trade and transport.
- High-density suburbs — large, populous residential areas where much of the city's population lives.
- Industrial and commercial zones — manufacturing, warehousing and trading districts that support the wider economy.
Top Attractions & Landmarks
Harare offers a mix of monuments, museums, markets and striking architecture. The notable sights include:
- National Heroes' Acre — a monumental national shrine and burial ground honouring figures from Zimbabwe's liberation struggle, set on a hillside with views over the city.
- The National Gallery of Zimbabwe — the country's leading art museum, renowned for its collection of Zimbabwean stone sculpture and contemporary art.
- Mbare Musika — the city's biggest and most vibrant market, a sprawling centre of trade in produce, goods and crafts.
- The Kopje — the granite hill overlooking the centre, offering panoramic views and a link to the city's founding.
- The Harare Gardens — the largest park in the city centre, a green retreat near the National Gallery.
- The Eastgate Centre — a celebrated building whose passive-cooling design is famously inspired by the natural ventilation of termite mounds.
Getting Around
Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, southeast of the city, is Zimbabwe's busiest airport and the country's principal international gateway. It handles flights across the region and longer-haul connections, and serves as the main arrival point for travellers heading to Harare and onward to Zimbabwe's celebrated wildlife reserves and natural wonders. Taxis and hired vehicles link the airport with the city.
Within Harare, public transport is dominated by minibuses (commuter omnibuses) and shared taxis running along the main routes, picking up and dropping passengers as they go. Conventional taxis and ride-hailing services are also available and are convenient for visitors. The city's grid centre is walkable, but its suburbs spread over a wide area, so longer trips usually require a vehicle. Traffic can be heavy at peak times, so allowing extra time is wise.
Culture & Cuisine
Harare is the cultural capital of Zimbabwe, with a thriving scene in music, visual art and literature. The country's famous tradition of stone sculpture is showcased at the National Gallery and in studios around the city, while local music and dance animate venues and festivals. English is an official language and the main medium of business and education, alongside Shona and Ndebele, which are widely spoken in everyday life. The city's markets, galleries and gardens reflect a culture that blends deep local roots with cosmopolitan influences.
Zimbabwean cuisine centres on sadza, a thick maize-meal porridge that is the national staple, eaten with the hands and served with "relishes" of vegetables, beans, meat or fish. Leafy greens, groundnuts and stewed or grilled meat are common accompaniments, and grilled meat in the style known as a braai is popular. Markets across Harare overflow with maize, vegetables and seasonal produce from the fertile Highveld, underlining the close link between the capital and its surrounding farmland.
Best Time to Visit & Travel Tips
The most comfortable time to visit Harare is during the cool, dry season from roughly May to August, when skies are clear, days are warm and nights are cool. A particular highlight is the jacaranda bloom around September and October, when the city's avenues turn purple, though this period can be hot before the rains arrive. The wet season from November to March brings lush greenery but heavier afternoon downpours. Because of the altitude, evenings can be cool in winter, so a light jacket is useful. Harare also makes a convenient base for onward travel to Zimbabwe's wider attractions, so visitors often combine a city stay with trips further afield. Allowing time for traffic and using taxis for the spread-out suburbs makes getting around easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Harare the capital of Zimbabwe?
Yes. Harare is the capital and largest city of Zimbabwe. It sits on the Highveld in the north of the country and serves as the seat of national government as well as the nation's main commercial, financial and administrative centre. Founded in 1890, it was known as Salisbury until it was renamed Harare in 1982.
What is Harare known for?
Harare is known as the "Sunshine City" for its mild Highveld climate and its jacaranda-lined avenues. Landmarks include the National Heroes' Acre, the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, the lively Mbare Musika market, the Kopje overlooking the centre, the Harare Gardens, and the Eastgate Centre with its termite-mound-inspired passive cooling.
Why is Harare called the Sunshine City?
Harare earned the nickname "Sunshine City" because its high elevation on the Highveld, at around 1,490 metres, gives it a mild, sunny climate with warm days and cool nights for much of the year, milder than its tropical latitude alone would suggest.
What languages are spoken in Harare?
English is an official language and the main medium of business and education. Shona and Ndebele are the most widely spoken indigenous languages, with Shona especially common in and around the capital, reflecting Zimbabwe's many official languages.
What is the best time to visit Harare?
The most comfortable time to visit is during the cool, dry season from roughly May to August, when skies are clear and conditions are pleasant. The jacaranda blossom around September and October is a famous seasonal highlight, while the wet season from November to March brings heavier rains.
Last updated: June 2026.