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Destinations / Tanzania

Zanzibar City

Zanzibar City (Stone Town)

Spice island alleys and Indian Ocean beaches

beacheshistorycouplesfood
Plan your trip to Zanzibar CitySee the top 10
300,000Population
900,000Metro area
Swahili, EnglishLanguage
TZSCurrency
5 daysIdeal stay
$120-220Typical day

Zanzibar City centers on Stone Town, a UNESCO listed maze of carved doors and Swahili houses. Beaches, spice farms and reefs across Unguja island make easy outings. The guide covers the whole island, with trips beyond town marked as day trips.

Where to start

Top 10 things to do

Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.

  1. Stone Town is the old Swahili trading quarter of Zanzibar City, a UNESCO site of narrow lanes, carved wooden doors and coral stone houses. Arab, Indian, African and European influences blend here.

    Half a dayTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Get lost on foot by day, and hire a licensed guide for the history.
    See on the map

  2. Forodhani Gardens is a seafront park that fills each evening with grills selling seafood, Zanzibar pizza and sugarcane juice. It is the town's social meeting point.

    2 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Agree prices before ordering, and make sure seafood is cooked fresh.
    See on the map

  3. The Anglican Cathedral was built on the site of the last open slave market in East Africa. Underground chambers and a memorial tell the story.

    1 hourTime needed
    about $5-10Cost
    noBook ahead

    Entry.

    Tip. Visit with the guide included in the ticket.
    See on the map

  4. The House of Wonders is a palace built by the Sultan in the 19th century, the first building in East Africa with electricity. It has been under restoration.

    1 hourTime needed
    noBook ahead

    May be closed.

    Tip. Check whether it has reopened before planning a visit.
    See on the map

  5. Spice farms in the countryside grow cloves, nutmeg, vanilla and cinnamon. Tours let you see, smell and taste them.

    Half a dayTime needed
    about $15-30Cost
    noBook ahead

    Tour.

    Tip. Half day tours usually include a local lunch.
    See on the map

  6. Prison Island is a small island off Stone Town, home to giant Aldabra tortoises. It has a beach and snorkeling.

    Half a dayTime needed
    about $30-40Cost
    noBook ahead

    Boat and entry.

    Tip. The boat ride takes about 30 minutes; agree the price upfront.
    See on the map

  7. Nungwi is a beach village at the northern tip, with swimmable water at all tides and lively sunsets. It is home to traditional dhow builders.

    Full dayTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Stay a night or two; it is about 1 hour by road.
    See on the map

  8. Jozani Forest is the island's only national park, home to the endemic red colobus monkey. Boardwalks lead through mangroves.

    2 hoursTime needed
    about $10-15Cost
    noBook ahead

    Entry.

    Tip. Go with a park guide.
    See on the map

  9. The Rock is a restaurant built on a rock in the sea off Michamvi. At high tide you reach it by boat.

    2 hoursTime needed
    yesBook ahead

    Expensive.

    Tip. Book ahead and check the tide times.
    See on the map

  10. Paje is an east coast beach known for kitesurfing and a shallow lagoon. Seaweed farming is visible at low tide.

    Full dayTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. The tide goes far out; plan swimming around high tide.
    See on the map
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors.
TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access
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Short on time?

Ready-made itineraries

Choose how many days you have.

Zanzibar in three days

Add a spice tour, Prison Island and Nungwi.

  1. Stone TownHalf a day · Free
  2. Old Slave Market and Anglican Cathedral1 hour · about $5-10
  3. House of Wonders1 hour
  4. Forodhani Gardens night market2 hours · Free
  5. Spice farm tourHalf a day · about $15-30
  6. Prison IslandHalf a day · about $30-40
  7. Nungwi BeachFull day · Free
  8. Jozani Forest2 hours · about $10-15
  9. The Rock Restaurant2 hours
  10. Paje BeachFull day · Free
Beyond the city

Day trips

Mnemba Atoll

Snorkel with dolphins.

37 mi · Car and boat

Pemba Island

Dive sites.

50 mi · Flight

Chumbe Island

A small marine reserve with coral reef and a private nature trail.

7 mi · Boat from Stone Town, about 30 minutes

Plan your dates

Weather and seasons

Best: June to October and December to February. Dry and sunny.

Busy and priceyShoulderQuiet and cheaper

Temperature

Daily high and average, by month

32°50°68°86°104°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaily highAverage

Rain

Typical inches per month

0.00.81.62.43.13.94.75.56.37.17.98.79.410.2JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January

85°F
Typical daily high
Average83°F
Rain2.4 in
About8 rainy days
Sun strength6.0 kWh/m²

Shoulder season. Good balance of weather and crowds.

Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.

Main events

Mar

Sauti za Busara

March 19 to 21, 2027

A festival of African music in Stone Town.

Jun

Zanzibar International Film Festival

Usually June or July (check dates)

Screenings and concerts around Stone Town.

Jul

Mwaka Kogwa

Around July (Shirazi new year)

A traditional new year celebration in villages in the south of the island.

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Know before you go

At a glance

3/5
Safety

The US State Department rates Tanzania at Level 3 (reconsider travel); Zanzibar is generally calm, but petty theft and scams occur.

4/5
Walkability

Stone Town is walkable.

1/5
Public transport

Dala dala minibuses run; taxis are easier.

Pick your base

Where to stay

The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.

1. Stone Town

$$

Best for: history lovers

Heritage hotels.

2. Nungwi

$$$

Best for: beach lovers

Swimmable beaches.

3. Paje

$$

Best for: kitesurfers

East coast.

4. Kendwa

$$$

Best for: couples

Calm water.

5. Nungwi and Kendwa

$$

Best for: beach lovers, nightlife, couples

Swim spots with less tidal change on the north tip.

6. Paje and Jambiani

$

Best for: backpackers, kitesurfers, budget travellers

Wide east coast beaches with a relaxed vibe.

Getting there and around

Main airportAbeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), 5 mi from the center
To the centerA taxi takes about 15 minutes.
Around townWalk Stone Town and use taxis to the coast.
Ride appsUber, Bolt, Uber (limited)
Taste it

What to eat

Zanzibar pizza

Stuffed crepe from Forodhani.

Urojo

Mango soup.

Octopus curry

Coconut curry.

Seafood grilled at Forodhani Gardens

The night food market serves fresh fish and octopus.

Pilau

Spiced rice with meat, shaped by the island spice trade.

Good to know

PlugsType D and G, 230 V
Tap waterUse bottled water
TippingTip 5 to 10 percent.
PaymentsCash in USD or shillings; cards in hotels.
EtiquetteZanzibar is mainly Muslim; cover shoulders and knees in town, and save swimwear for the beach. Ask before photographing people.
  • Ramadan affects opening hours and eating in public.
  • The US dollar is widely accepted, but carry shillings for small purchases.
  • Licensed guides wear ID; avoid street touts called papasi.
  • Visitors must pay for mandatory travel insurance on arrival or in advance.
  • Same sex relations are illegal in Tanzania, including Zanzibar.
  • Photographing people without asking is rude and can cause trouble.
  • Beach boys and touts at Stone Town can be persistent; a firm no works.
  • Tides on the east coast are large, so check swim times before booking.

A short history

Zanzibar was a trading hub linking Africa, Arabia and India for centuries. Omani sultans moved their capital here in 1840. It was a major slave market until 1873. It united with Tanganyika to form Tanzania in 1964.

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Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan Zanzibar City