Zaria is a historic Hausa city in Kaduna State, home to the Emir of Zazzau and to Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria's largest university. The city's architecture mixes Hausa-style clay buildings with modern university and government structures, and it has a tropical savanna climate with a wet season from April to September and a drier season from October to March.
For a visitor, the city divides broadly into the old city — known as Birnin Zazzau or Zaria City, where the Emir's palace stands — and the adjacent Tudun Wada neighbourhood, both predominantly Hausa and characterised by traditional adobe compounds. Elsewhere, the university and institutional areas shape the city, and Sabon Gari is one of the local government areas that make up Zaria. This guide covers which of these areas to base yourself in, and what kind of accommodation to expect at each budget level.
Best areas to stay in Zaria
1. Zaria City (Birnin Zazzau)
The old part of the city, originally surrounded by walls and fortifications that have mostly been removed. The Emir's palace is here, and the area is predominantly occupied by the indigenous Hausa, with residents typically living in traditional adobe compounds. It suits visitors who want to be close to the historic core and the palace.
2. Tudun Wada
The neighbourhood adjacent to the old city, also predominantly Hausa and also characterised by traditional adobe compounds. It is a natural complement to Zaria City if you want to stay within the historic, traditional part of town rather than the institutional or commercial outskirts.
3. Sabon Gari
One of the local government areas that make up Zaria, alongside Zaria, Giwa and Soba. It is a distinct part of the wider city, and useful to know as a base if you want to be within Zaria's metropolitan area but outside the old walled core.
4. GRA
The GRA appears as the address of accommodation in Zaria, indicating a quarter where lodging is established. It suits visitors who prefer a conventional base with easy access to the city's roads.
5. Kongo
Kongo, along Old Jos Road, is another area where accommodation is established in Zaria. It is a practical option if you want to be on one of the main approach roads into the city.
6. Dakace
Dakace, on New Jos Road, is a further area with accommodation in Zaria. It suits travellers arriving from or departing towards the Jos road corridor.
7. Sokoto Road area
Sokoto Road is a corridor with several accommodation options in Zaria, including near Abu Zaria. It is a reasonable base if you want to be along one of the city's main arteries.
8. Kofar-Kibo
Kofar-Kibo is an area of Zaria where guesthouse-style accommodation is found. It suits budget-minded visitors looking for a simple, affordable base.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Low-budget accommodation and guesthouses, including clean and affordable guesthouse-style places, with basic amenities such as air conditioning, free parking, free breakfast and Wi-Fi.
- Mid-range: Hotels and suites offering facilities such as a restaurant, bar or lounge, room service, free parking and internet access.
- Splurge: The top-end hotels in the wider Kaduna area, with en-suite bathrooms, internet connectivity, an excellent restaurant and bar, and landscaped gardens.
Best area for a first visit
Zaria City (Birnin Zazzau) is the best base for a first visit, because it is the historic core where the Emir's palace stands and where the traditional adobe compounds that define the city's character are concentrated. Staying here or in the adjacent Tudun Wada puts you within the old city rather than at its edges. If you prefer a more conventional base with established lodging, the GRA is a practical alternative.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Zaria?
Zaria has a tropical savanna climate with warm weather year-round. The wet season runs from April to September and the drier season from October to March, so the drier months are the more comfortable period for travelling around the city.
How do I get to Zaria by rail?
Zaria lies north of the rail junction at Kaduna. The railway between Lagos and Kano is functional, so Zaria currently has rail access to Lagos and to Kano to the north, but not to Port Harcourt, as the eastern line of Nigeria's rail network is not operational.
What cultural festivals take place in Zaria?
Zaria celebrates the annual durbar festivals twice a year, marking the end of Ramadan and coinciding with Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr. The festival runs in phases over three days: Hawan Sallah, Hawan Bariki Sallah and Hawan Daushe, with the Emir touring the city from the Eid ground to his palace.
Which areas of Zaria have traditional architecture?
The old city, Birnin Zazzau or Zaria City, and the adjacent Tudun Wada neighbourhood are where residents typically live in traditional adobe compounds. Across Zaria more broadly, clay buildings in the Hausa style sit alongside modern, multi-storied university and government buildings.
Compare live prices for the areas above with the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.