Kaduna State · Nigeria
Zaria travel guide
Zaria is a city in Kaduna State, Nigeria, home to about 766,000 people.
- Nearest airport
- KAD59 km · Kaduna International Airport
- Currency
- NGNnaira
- Time zone
- Africa/Lagos
- Language
- English
About
About Zaria
Zaria (formerly Zazzau) is a metropolitan city in Nigeria, located within four local government areas in Kaduna State. It serves as the capital of the Zazzau Emirate Council and is one of the original seven Hausa city-states.
Zaria has an estimated population of 766,000 (2023). It was a trading destination for Saharan caravans as well as a prominent city in the Hausa slave trade. In the late 1450s, Islam arrived in Zaria by the way of its sister Habe cities, Kano and Katsina. Along with Islam, trade flourished between the cities as traders brought camel caravans filled with salt in exchange for slaves and grain. The city-state's power peaked under Queen Amina whose military campaigns established a tributary region including the kingdoms of Kano and Katsina.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Zaria
See
Queen Amina’s Wall was built with well-fortified walls to protect the ancient city by Queen Amina of Zaria, who is renowned for her wise military exploits and strategies. This wall still stands majestically in the modern city of Zaria.
- Zaria City Wall
- Emir's Palace
- ABU Gymnasium (Indoor Hall)
- N.I.T.T. Field Zaria
- NCAT Gym and Swimming Pool
Do
- Kufena Hill
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
When to go
The best time to visit Zaria
Zaria has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. April is the warmest month, with average highs of 37 °C; August is the wettest, with about 277 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Zaria: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Kaduna International Airport (KAD), about 59 km from the city centre in a straight line; Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (KAN, 141 km) is also within reach.
KAD · Kaduna International Airport
KAN · Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Zaria
Stay safe
Security challenges can vary depending on the current situation of the place. Kaduna generally has experienced lot of security challenges including banditry, kidnapping and communal conflict in the past, however the level of safety may differ from one area to another.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Zaria: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Zaria?
Zaria has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. April is the warmest month, with average highs of 37 °C; August is the wettest, with about 277 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Zaria?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Kaduna International Airport (KAD), about 59 km from the city centre in a straight line; Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (KAN, 141 km) is also within reach.
What currency is used in Zaria?
naira (NGN).
Nearby
Destinations near Zaria
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.