Zanzibar - Best things to do
All the buzz around Zanzibar is absolutely true: it has stunning white-sand beaches and warm, pale blue waters, but it also has rich culture and history, beautiful architecture, unusual wildlife, great forest walks, incredible cuisine, and so much more.
To give you a sense of the location, the famous Zanzibar Archipelago sits among the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean about 30 km off the northeast coast of Tanzania.
The two biggest islands of the Zanzibar Archipelago are Unguja and Pemba.
Most visitors fly into Zanzibar City on the west coast of Unguja, and spend all (or most) of their trip on this beautiful island.
Zanzibar
Get ready for the most incredible experience of your life in Zanzibar!
Here are the absolute must-dos that will make your holiday unforgettable!
Treat yourself to a swim in the ocean and a lazy day on a sandy beach
Zanzibar is the perfect place for your dream beach holiday!
Picture yourself on one of the many stunning beaches on Unguja Island, with white, powdery sands beckoning you to relax on a towel or deckchair and sink your feet into the warm, clear waters. The blue, blue waters are just calling you to jump in and feel the refreshing sea breeze!
There are so many gorgeous, palm-fringed beaches to explore around the main island of Unguja, each more beautiful than the next. You’ll want to take your time and explore them all! Let the warmth and views work their restorative powers on mind and body. Some of the best beaches on Unguja Island for swimming, strolling, wading and lazing are:
Bwejuu – a palm-lined beach that’s one of the island’s quietest.
Chuini – just 12 kilometres north of the old Stone Town, is a must-see. Its beautiful location near the ruins of the Chuini Palace on the west part of the island and stunning sunsets make it the perfect spot.
Kendwa – is another gem, with its wide beach that’s not affected by the tides and epic sunsets.
Nungwi – is the best beach for nightlife, while Kizimkazi’s coastline is raised and drops down to form lovely coves.
Jambiani – a stunning, tranquil, palm-lined beach that’s a true paradise on earth.
Michamvi-Pingwe – a secluded treasure trove of beautiful coves that are nothing short of a postcard.
Matemwe – the jewel of Zanzibar, a sprawling beach that feels like a slice of paradise. It’s a perfect spot to experience the traditional fishing villages that line the shore, where the land meets the sand in a breathtaking vista.
Pongwe – a picture-perfect beach that arcs gracefully, offering some of the best swimming conditions around. The nearby reef keeps the water so calm and safe, making it the perfect spot for a refreshing swim.
The water is warm all year round! It’s a tropical Island ♥
The best part is that you can swim in the sea all year round in Zanzibar!
In January and February (the height of summer) the sea temperature is around 29 °C. And in August and September (which is winter), the sea temperature is around 25 °C.
Get ready for an incredible guided tour of the historic Stone Town!
Stone Town is the historic centre of modern-day Zanzibar City, and it’s a place bursting with history and culture!
For centuries, this port city has been a maritime hub, a vibrant crossroads of trade and culture. Over the centuries, it has become a vibrant crossroads where different civilisations from around the Indian Ocean and even the Mediterranean have interacted and intermingled, creating a unique and captivating society that has clearly been influenced by societies both near and far.
It’s no wonder that Stone Town has been honoured as a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
The best way to learn about the history of Stone Town, as well as its architectural legacy, is to go on a guided tour. You’ll wander winding alleys, see carved doorways, pass colourful small shops, marvel at delicately built mansions, and pass pretty minarets.
You’ll also learn about the Omani Sultan’s rule in the 1800s, the awful slave trade and its abolition, and the takeover by the British near the end of the century.
A guided tour is the best way to get to know Stone Town, and then you can go back later to explore on your own. With that in mind, here’s our choice of things to do in Zanzibar..
Explore the enchanting streets of Stone Town on your own!
A guided tour of Stone Town is a must to learn about its history, architecture and more, but you should also definitely take a wander through its warren-like lanes on your own!
We suggest that you give yourself a few hours one morning or afternoon to wander idly through Stone Town’s alleyways. You’ll have time to shop in the bustling bazaars, try the delicious street food, visit quirky shops, browse a museum or two, walk the promenade, explore the beautiful Forodhani Gardens, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere.
And for all you coffee lovers out there, don’t miss out on the chance to experience a traditional coffee ceremony – it’s a must! Various local coffee shops invite visitors to watch the roasting ceremony, which is a truly cultural experience. The coffee is then served in delicate Arabian cups, and it goes without saying that it is at its best when paired with a sweet treat!
Explore the spicy way of Zanzibar
A spice tour is an absolute must-do when visiting Zanzibar! Get ready to see, touch, smell and taste the fragrant spices that are as synonymous with the islands as the beautiful beaches!
The spice plantations built during Arab rule brought great wealth to Zanzibar, and you can still visit some of them today. The archipelago even became the world’s number one exporter of cloves! Today, Zanzibaris continue to farm a rich variety of spices, including cloves, cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon, chilli, and black pepper.
On a spice tour, you’ll learn about the growing, harvesting and preparing of spices, as well as how they’re used in traditional cuisine.
And for those who really love their food, you can take things one step further and combine a spice tour with a cooking class. You’ll go home with your newfound culinary skills, ready to recreate the delicious flavours you experienced on your trip!
The most incredible street food you've ever tasted!
Stone Town is the place to be if you want to try delicious seafood kebabs and other tasty specialities.
And if you’re looking for a tasty and affordable lunch, then the Zanzibar Street Food Market is the place to be! And for dinner, you simply must go to the Forodhani Gardens Night Market on the promenade. Here, the most popular dish is the Zanzibar pizza, which looks and tastes far from the pizzas of Italy!
Visit the stunning Uzi Island!
Just off the south coast of Unguja is the beautiful Uzi Island, a small island with an intertidal causeway. The island is part of the Menai Bay Conservation Area, which protects gorgeous mangrove forests, freshwater forests, sea-grass beds, coral reefs and all the wildlife supported by these intertwined ecosystems.
Best of all, it’s still untouched by tourism, so you can experience the authentic, rural Zanzibari fishing community as it was in the past.
We highly recommend dedicating a full day to exploring this unique island. Just be sure to pay attention to the tides when planning your trip. When the tide is in, the adventure begins as you paddle to the island on an ngalawa, a traditional wooden outrigger canoe. But wait, there’s more! At low tide, you can hop in a dala dala, a local bus, and cross the road that emerges, making your way to the island. A visit to Uzi Island is the perfect day trip, with a boat ride one way and a bus ride the other.
While on the island, you can go on an amazing cultural tour in N’gambwa village, where you’ll be hosted by a local family who will serve you a traditional lunch. It’s a fantastic way to learn about rural life in one of the most beautiful areas of Zanzibar.
And of course, there’s always time later to jump in the sea and enjoy a swim on one of the quiet beaches. And for an unforgettable experience, you can go on a guided walk through a mangrove forest, where you’ll be immersed in a watery world of incredible beauty and ecological diversity. And don’t worry about footwear, because we provide reef shoes to hire for the adventure!
A boat ride to Prison Island!
A must-do activity while in Zanzibar is to hop on a short boat ride from Zanzibar City to Prison Island (also known as Changuu Island). It might not have been used as a prison, even though a prison building was constructed on it in the late 1800s, but it’s still a really interesting place to visit.
Today, the island is world-famous for its Aldabra giant tortoises. Did you know that a group of tortoises is called a creep? It makes perfect sense, given their super-slow pace!
Another fantastic thing about visiting Prison Island is the amazing view you get from the boat on the return journey of Stone Town’s waterfront buildings. The row of palaces and mansions along the waterfront, built or commissioned in the 1800s by the sultanate, was designed to impress foreigners arriving by sea – and it certainly does the job!
Spot amazing wildlife at Jozani Forest!
A nature walk in Jozani Forest is definitely the best way to spend an outing in Zanzibar! After the bustle of Stone Town and the heat of the beaches, it’s wonderfully refreshing to step into the cool shadow created by the forest’s dense and tangled greenery.
You can either go it alone and explore at your own pace, or join one of the guided nature walks, where you’ll get expert guidance from the friendly guides. With so many paths to choose from, you can go on a gentle hour-long walk or a half-day hike.
The forest is teeming with wildlife, including endangered red colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and Ader’s duikers.
Meandering along winding dirt footpaths, you’ll discover the beauty of nature at its best. And when you get to the coastal mangroves of Chwaka Bay, you’ll find a low boardwalk, which is super easy to get along.
And for bird lovers, it’s a paradise! You’ll be thrilled to spot rare and beautiful species. The forest is teeming with various species of waterbirds, raptors, shorebirds… you name it! Keep your eyes peeled for stunning birds like lilac-breasted rollers, purple-banded sunbirds, blue-cheeked bee-eaters, African pygmy kingfishers and golden-tailed woodpeckers.
Dine at the amazing Rock Restaurant in Zanzibar!
On the stunning Michamvi Peninsula on the east coast of Unguja Island, you’ll find the absolutely breathtaking Rock Restaurant Zanzibar.
The restaurant is world-famous for its amazing setting, but it’s also got the most delicious food you could ever wish to try! The lobster is simply divine, but the prawns and calamari are not far behind.
Now, this is fine dining at its finest, so be sure to check out the menu before you go to make sure it’s within your budget! And don’t forget to book in advance to avoid disappointment, as seating is naturally quite limited.
When the tide is low, you can take a leisurely stroll to the restaurant along the scenic path. When the tide is in, you can enjoy the refreshing journey across in a charming little wooden boat. It’s a unique and charming experience that’s sure to delight, especially if you can overcome your fear of boats!
Snorkel and dive the coral reefs!
We wholeheartedly recommend that you go snorkelling, diving or scuba diving while on your Zanzibar holiday! The coral reefs surrounding the archipelago’s islands are absolutely stunning – you’ll be in heaven!
You’ll be amazed at the variety of sea animals you might see, from shrimp and pipefish to lungfish, dolphins and even sharks! And if you’re lucky, you might even spot a humpback or sperm whale passing through in September and October! And from December to April, you might even spot manta rays and whale sharks!
Nakupenda Beach, also called Nakupenda Sand Bank, is one of the best places to snorkel or dive. This stunning slice of sand, just off the coast of Stone Town, is nothing short of a paradise on earth. In 2022, it was rated as the second best beach in Africa by TripAdvisor, and it’s easy to see why. The name Nakupenda means “I love you” in English, which is a lovely thought.
And that’s not all! Other incredible snorkelling and diving beaches include Prison Island (as we mentioned before), Pungume Island, Mnemba Island, and Tumbatu Island.
But the absolute best place for snorkelling and diving is the privately owned Chumbe Island off the southwest coast of Unguja. Chumbe Reef Sanctuary is an absolute must-see, hosting over 90% of all the hard coral species of East Africa!
Get ready – it's time to go scuba diving!
When it comes to scuba diving, the Zanzibar Archipelago is simply the ultimate destination! Seriously.
If you’re looking to get your scuba diving fix, look no further than the amazing spots off Unguja Island.
Nyange Reef near Stone Town is absolutely stunning and the best part is it’s super affordable!
And for an unforgettable experience, dive into the vibrant soft corals that adorn the barrier reef along the southeast coast.
And for an unforgettable experience, head to the heart-shaped Mnemba Atoll off the northeast coast of Unguja. Here, you’ll find a host of reefs teeming with life, and the odds of spotting a turtle are pretty high!
And for an unforgettable experience, head to Leven Bank, an undersea mountain in the Pemba Channel, just north of the island. Here, you’ll be amazed by the abundance of barracudas and moray eels!
And for those just starting out, the blue lagoon near Michamvi village is the perfect spot, with its shallow, sheltered coral gardens.
You simply have to go on a dhow cruise!
There’s no better way to spend an afternoon in Zanzibar than a two- to three-hour dhow cruise from Nungwi. Timed perfectly, your cruise will end just after sunset, giving you the chance to enjoy the spectacle from the dhow.
Nungwi, on the northern tip of Unguja Island, is the traditional centre of dhow building in Zanzibar, and you can still find craftsmen at work on the beach making these picturesque vessels.
When it comes to choosing your cruise, you’ve got a fantastic choice: you can either opt for a private ride or join a group.
Visit the incredible seaweed farms of Paje!
An absolutely iconic Zanzibari image is that of colourfully dressed women working in ankle-deep water in coastal seaweed plantations.
The seaweed is cultivated in neat rows, creating one of the most picturesque scenes you could ever wish to see!
The seaweed is exported for use in pharmaceutical and cosmetics products, which is great news for the local economy. It’s the local women who do the harvesting, and the trade provides them with much-needed cash. Seaweed has become the archipelago’s third largest source of income, which is fantastic news! It also accounts for nearly 90% of its marine exports.
While much of Zanzibar’s Unguja Island has been transformed into a vibrant hub of tourist activities, it’s important to celebrate the efforts of those areas where traditional industries still thrive.
Stay on Pemba Island!
Visiting Pemba is an essential part of a Zanzibar holiday because it offers a unique escape from the development and wealthy tourist spots on Unguja.
The islanders of Pemba have a way of life that is both traditional and authentic. The beaches are much quieter, perfect for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle. The nature is more protected, which is great news for those who want to see some of the world’s most beautiful and rare wildlife in its natural habitat.
There are so many activities to enjoy, and if you can, We would highly recommend staying for more than just a day trip. The coral reefs are stunning, as we all know, so it’s a fantastic place for snorkelling and diving. There are also many great nature paths to walk, so you can really get to grips with the local environment. You can explore the medieval ruins of the Diba tribe, as well as other historical sites. And you can go on cultural village tours.
The island is also home to some incredible wildlife, including the impressive Pemba flying foxes, which are large fruit bats with a wing span of 1.6 m. When you find a roost of these bats, you’ll be amazed at how huge they are – there can be as many as 850 bats in a single roost!
