Zanzibar Travel Guide: Stone Town, Beaches and When to Go

An island with layers

Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania, a coral island in the Indian Ocean with a long history as a trading hub. Arab, Persian, Indian, Portuguese and British influences all show up in the architecture, food and language of Stone Town. The beaches around the coast are the reason most people come.

It works very well as an extension to a safari. Fly from the Serengeti or Kilimanjaro, and within a few hours you’re on a beach.

Stone Town

Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, is the historic centre. The lanes are narrow and twisting, lined with coral-stone houses, elaborately carved wooden doors and small shops. It’s easy to get lost, and that’s part of the point.

Key sights include the Old Fort, the Palace Museum and the House of Wonders (check whether it’s open, because part of the building collapsed in 2020 and it has been under restoration). The Old Slave Market site, with its Anglican cathedral and a memorial to the enslaved, is an important and sobering stop. Freddie Mercury was born here, and there’s a small museum in his honour. Darajani Market is lively, and the Forodhani Gardens fill at sunset with food stalls selling grilled seafood, sugarcane juice and Zanzibar pizza.

Dhow cruises at sunset are a popular way to end the day. Prison Island (Changuu) has giant tortoises and snorkelling.

Choosing a beach

Nungwi and Kendwa (north). The water is deep enough to swim at all tides. Sunsets are good, the resorts are varied and there’s nightlife. It’s the most developed part of the island.

Matemwe (northeast). Quieter and more upmarket, with boats to Mnemba Atoll, one of the best snorkelling and diving sites near Zanzibar.

Paje, Jambiani and Bwejuu (southeast). Wide, shallow beaches where the tide goes a long way out. Great for kitesurfing at Paje, less so for swimming at low tide. A relaxed, budget-friendly area.

Michamvi and Pingwe. Quiet, and home to the famous restaurant on a rock, The Rock.

Tides matter here, so ask hotels for the tide schedule before you choose a beach.

Other things to do

Spice tours visit farms where you can see cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla growing. Jozani Forest is home to the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkey. Mnemba Atoll offers snorkelling and diving. Safari Blue and other dhow day trips run from the south. The Mangapwani coral cave and slave chambers give a historical perspective. Book activities through your hotel or a licensed operator.

When to go

June to October is the peak dry season with cooler, breezy weather. December to February is hot and dry. The long rains from March to May are heavy and some hotels close. Short rains in November are usually brief. Seaweed can wash up on some east-coast beaches at certain times of year, and hotels rake it away.

Getting there and around

Zanzibar’s airport is 6 km from Stone Town. Domestic flights connect to Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti. International flights come from Nairobi, the Gulf and Europe. Fast ferries from Dar es Salaam take about two hours, and they’re priced in dollars for foreigners. Taxis and hotel transfers are the main way to get around the island. Minibuses (dala-dalas) are cheap but slow.

Immigration checks apply even on domestic arrivals, so keep your passport handy.

Costs and money

Zanzibar covers all budgets, from simple bungalows to luxury resorts. Tourism is priced in US dollars, and cards are widely accepted, although cash is needed in villages and for small purchases. Many restaurants and hotels add a service charge.

Beach after safari

A safari followed by a beach stay is the classic East Africa combination. From the northern circuit, fly from Kilimanjaro or Arusha. From the southern parks, fly via Dar es Salaam. Read our Serengeti and Zanzibar itinerary, or the Tanzania guide for more ideas. If you prefer to stay in one country, consider Kenya’s Diani Beach.