33 Amazing Things to Do in Zanzibar

Zanzibar is one of the favorite places in the world. It has history, culture, gorgeous beaches, tons of activities, and flavorsome food. There are so many things to do in Zanzibar and whether you’re backpacking Zanzibar, on your honeymoon, going for a 2-week holiday, or relaxing for a few days after a Serengeti safari or a trek up Kilimanjaro I’m sure you’ll love it. There’s a Zanzibar for everyone. 

Amazing Things to Do in Zanzibar

1: Wander the Maze of Stone Town

One of the favorite things to do in Zanzibar is just to wander around Stone Town, which is the old town of Zanzibar City, the capital of the Zanzibar archipelago. Whether you arrive by air or sea, you’ll pass through the city and I would definitely recommend spending at least two days in Stone Town to soak up the Swahili culture and unique atmosphere. To get the full Zanzibari experience, stay in a real Zanzibar-style hotel. There are tons of great and reasonably priced ones, including this reasonably priced, beachfront hotel which is just a short walk away from Forodhani Gardens, or this seafront hotel, which is really close to the ferry terminal. If you’re looking for somewhere extra special, I’d definitely recommend heading to the Park Hyatt which is set right on the beach, or Emerson Spice, a beautiful and traditional Zanzibar-converted merchant’s house.

2: atch Acrobatics and Capoeira on the Beach

Some evenings, just before sunset some of the local boys perform acrobatics and capoeira on the beach outside the Livingstone Beach Restaurant in Stone Town. The beach in Stone Town, whilst not idyllic like those outside of the city, is usually busy with both locals and tourists enjoying the early evening light and splashing about in the water. A crowd often forms as these amazingly talented young superstars start back flipping and somersaulting all the way down to the water.

3: Buy Spices and Fabrics at Darajani Market

For a truly awesome, immersive, and sensorial shopping experience, head down to Darajani Market, the heartbeat of Stone Town. It’s a great, local experience as well as one of the free things to do in Stone Town (well, that is if you don’t buy anything). Here you’ll find vendors selling all kinds of useful stuff – spices, clothing, mobile phones, oil, plastic goods, cooking utensils, fabric, fresh bread, fruit and veg, meat and if you go early in the day, you may catch the big fish auction. Grab a samosa or chapati from a street food stall to keep your strength up as you wander around and don’t be afraid to have chat and enjoy the bartering process – Zanzibar people are very friendly! Another good place to buy spices is Masa Japanese Restaurant above the Post Office on Shangani Street.

4: Eat at a Zanzibar Pizza at Forodhani Gardens

Each evening, at Forodhani Gardens on the seafront of Stone Town, street vendors set up their stalls, selling seafood and meat kebabs, samosas, urojo soup (Zanzibar Mix), fruit, grilled maize, Zanzibar pizzas, and sugar cane juice to tourists and locals alike. In case you are wondering, “What the hell is a Zanzibar pizza?” – It’s a thin pancake-style dough, filled with pretty much anything and everything and cooked in ghee. You eat it with a cocktail stick and they’re pretty good! You can have sweet ones with bananas and chocolate sauce or savory ones with meat, veg and cheese. In mine, I usually have… mango, avocado, onions, tomatoes, Happy Cow Cheese Triangles and an egg! Head over around sunset, have a walk around, grab some food and a glass of sugar cane juice, sit on the wall, and just take it all in.

5: Shop Til You Drop

Shopping in Stone Town is great, like a tiny version of Marrakech. I love all those little curio shops selling trinkets and Stone Town has plenty. You can buy paintings, jeweler, material, wooden carvings, Maasai bracelets, Zanzibar chests, and tasty spices. A lot of these shops sell the same mass-produced stuff you find all over Africa, but you’ll find the odd unique item and it’s cool to say ‘I bought this in Zanzibar’.

6: Take a Walking Tour of Stone Town

One of the best things to do in Zanzibar, in order to get a true understanding of the island, is to take a walking tour. Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre and one of the most interesting places I’ve ever been to in my entire life. Seriously.

Whilst I’d say that taking a tour isn’t necessary and it’s absolutely fine to have a wander on your own, having a guide for a few hours will provide a great insight into the island (and save you from being lost in the labyrinth of alleyways… forever – just kidding). What I really love about tours in Stone Town, is that the guides point out all the tiny details of the architecture, things that you would never notice on your own as well as explaining a lot about the culture and the history of the island, the Omani sultans and Princess Salme, a feminist and rebel who wrote Memoirs of an Arabian Princess from Zanzibar.

7: Dine at a Rooftop Restaurant

Eating at a rooftop restaurant is one of the most romantic things to do in Stone Town and they are the perfect place to relax for the evening, enjoy the call to prayer and watch the sun as it sets over copper-coloured rooftops. My favorite is the magical Emerson on Hurumzi, with a beautiful view over the city and live Taarab music. They also have a sister restaurant – the exquisite and romantic Tea House Restaurant on the top floor of the Emerson Spice Hotel. The restaurant is known to be one of the best restaurants in East Africa. The 5-course menu changes daily, depending on what their fisherman catches that morning. Book in advance, both restaurants get very busy and are limited on space.

8: Learn About the Slave Trade

Zanzibar is described as a melting pot, with a blend of Arabic, African, Indian, European heritages, creating a unique cultural mix on the island, rarely seen elsewhere. One of the reasons for this is Zanzibar’s dark past and I think it’s important that people are aware of the atrocities that happened.

Zanzibar was a major trading hub for many things, including slaves. The slave trade was brutal, with hundreds of thousands of people being trafficked through Bagamoyo on the mainland (where I lived for a little while), to be sold in Zanzibar, then shipped to the east or the west, with many passing through Liverpool in the UK, where I am from.

Pay your respects at the Slave Monument and you can also visit the old Slave Market and visit the house of David Livingstone, an important figure in the abolition of the slave trade, who once called Zanzibar home.

9: Ride a Dala Dala

No trip to Zanzibar (or Tanzania) would be complete without a little ride on a dala dala minibus. These tend to be packed, sweaty, and with questionable safety records, but they are an experience and the cheapest way to get around the island.

10: Take a Village Tour

Whilst it’s fine to visit a lot of villages on the island, going on an organized village tour with a guide is a good way to get an insight into daily life whilst contributing to the local economy. Jambiani on the east coast is a great village to visit and the people very welcoming. You can visit the fishermen, local women’s groups, herbalist and seaweed farms. Many tours, like this one, include a traditional Swahili lunch too. Again, taking photos of people without their permission is really not the one thing in Zanzibar (hence why you don’t see a lot of people in my pictures) but on a tour, you should be fine. If you go it alone, please, please, please ask before you take pictures of anyone in the villages.

11: Admire & Photograph the Zanzibar Doors

Zanzibar doors are something else. Whilst some doors and buildings are succumbing to ruin, there are still many of the original doors intact, ornately decorated, and have meanings behind them. The most famous and photographed door is the one at Tippu Tip’s House (above), a Zanzibarian slave and ivory trader from the 18th century.

12: Go to a Festival

Zanzibar hosts 3 major festivals a year:

Sauti za Busara : A music festival in Stone Town, featuring a number of awesome artists from all over Africa and the name means ‘Sounds of Wisdom’. The festival usually takes place in February. I went in 2018 and it was a lot of fun!

The Zanzibar International Film Festival : East Africa’s largest film, music, and arts festival. They showcase some of the best talent around and the theme of the festival for 2017 was ‘Finding Joy’ (I love that).

The Zanzibar Beach and Watersports Festival : This is a community-led not-for-profit festival. They have watersports competitions, music, and food stalls! Sounds delightful! The festival takes place in Jambiani usually in September.

12: Try the Local Foods

Being an important trading hub on the old spice route between the east and west, the Zanzibar cuisine, is as you’d imagine, pretty amazing. Taking influences from all over the world, I’d go as far as to say, that the food in Zanzibar is my favorite in all of Africa! There are tons of lovely foods you can buy off the street including my favorites – kashata, urojo soup, mishkaki and mango with chilli. To find some of the best places, you can take a Zanzibar food tour with a local guide. If you’re looking for a restaurant, that’s cheap, and authentic but really, really tasty, go to Lukmaan or The Passing Show Hotel in Stone Town. Local foods include fried fish, chicken, curry, biriyani, and pilau rice, as well as samosas and chapatis.

13: Drink Coffee at Jaws Corner

If you want to do as the locals do, head to Jaws Corner in Stone Town. A popular spot for people (men mostly) to gather, chat about politics, current affairs, and gossip whilst drinking black coffee with ginger from pretty little cups with no handles. We stopped here for a while eating cassava chips, baobab fruit and mango with chili and salt – surprisingly delicious.

14: Visit the Old Dispensary

Opposite the ferry terminal in Stone Town, you’ll find the Old Dispensary, where once upon a time, as you’d imagine, dispensed medicines. It’s one of the prettiest buildings in Zanzibar (so great for photography buffs) and inside has a pretty courtyard and a small museum about the history of the island.

15: Learn to Cook Zanzibar Style

Food plays such a big part in daily life wherever you go in the world, so what better way to get an insight into the local culture? There are a few different classes on the island and some will even take you to the markets to buy the ingredients.

16: Take a Trip to Pemba Island and Sleep with the Fishes

Zanzibar is actually made up of a few different islands and Pemba Island is one of them. It lies north of the main island Unguja, which is what people generally mean when they talk about Zanzibar.

This is where you’ll find the world-famous  Manta Resort . The one with the underwater room!

Ferries from Stone Town run on Wednesdays and Saturdays and do the return journey on Thursdays and Sundays. Flights depart daily and you can ask us.

17: Go on Safari Blue

Safari Blue is known to be Zanzibar’s best boat trip!

You start in the small village of Fumba on the south coast, sailing on a traditional dhow to Menai Bay where dolphins you have the chance to see and swim with dolphins. Snorkelling is the order of the day and you have a chance to explore the reefs. Lunch is a seafood buffet that includes fresh lobster, fish, calamari, chicken, and veggie options served on a sandbank. Drinks are also included!

It’s a full day trip, so in the afternoon you sail to Kwale Island take a ride on a Ngalawa canoe, explore the mangroves, see an ancient baobab tree and relax on the beach before sailing back to Zanzibar at sunset.

18: Take a Spice Tour

Zanzibar is called ‘The Spice Island’ due to the spices grown on the island. You’ll get to taste things like vanilla, turmeric, cumin, and cinnamon as well as many others, used for cooking or in traditional medicines. Your guide will explain what the spices are used for and their unique properties. I swear you’ll end up putting turmeric in EVERYTHING!

Pretty much every hotel or tour agent offers these trips. They can be a little touristy and before you know it you’ll be stood there wearing a palm leaf hat that some dude made for you and then plonked on your head.

19: See the Red Colobus Monkeys in Jozani Forest

Jozani Forest, is home to the rare red colobus monkey. As you walk through the forest, you’ll get the chance to see the monkeys up close and learn about the various plants and animals that call this place home.

20: Go on a Sunset Dhow Cruise

What better way to see the sunset from out on the water? There are various different ones, from romantic cruises to crazy party boats most include drinks and some also include food.

Most of the sunset cruises depart from the main towns on the West of the island, like this 3-hour sunset cruise departing from Kendwa. You can also take cruises from Nungwi and Stone Town.

If you’re on the east coast – don’t worry, you can still enjoy the sunset too. There are a few companies that sail from Michamvi and takes you around Chwaka Bay (the only place on the east coast for sunset).

21: Go Deep Sea Fishing

Zanzibar is a mecca for deep-sea fishermen!

With its position, far out in the Indian Ocean, the Zanzibar Archipelago attracts all kinds of weird, wonderful and big game fish, like barracuda, wahoo, kingfish (my favorite), yellowfin tuna, sailfish, and marlin (blue, black and striped) to name but a few (all seasonal). Spending a day on a boat, bobbing around in the middle of the ocean, and trying to reel in some fish is not my idea of a fun time, in fact, I’d probably spend the whole time puking over the side, but my other half loves it.

22: Scuba or Snorkel at the Mnemba Atoll

Take a trip out to the Mnemba Atoll and go snorkeling or scuba diving in one of the most beautiful spots around. You’ll find an abundance of marine life and may even see some dolphins! This trip is quite different from the Safari Blue trip, so you could even do both.

23: Go Kitesurfing

Did you know that Zanzibar is an AMAZING place for kitesurfing (aka kiteboarding)? What did I say about those trade winds? There are two winds that blow through Zanzibar, the Kusi Winds and the Kaskazi Winds. The Kusi blows in from the southeast from mid-June to mid-October and the Kaskazi blows in from the northeast between December and April. Paje, on the east coast, is probably the most popular place to stay and it attracts a cool crowd. 

24: Go Surfing

Whilst we’re feeling active, why not try a little surfing?

Zanzibar isn’t known as a surfing destination and you won’t find many surfers there, but there are a few spots around the island! The only downside is that conditions aren’t always ideal, so timing is everything. There are two surf schools I know of, Aquaholics and  Surf Zanzibar . They’ll take you to the best places, at the best time. The season generally follows the same dates as the kite surfing season. The best places to stay for surfing are along the southeast coast – Paje, Bwejuu, Jambiani, and Dongwe.

25: Go to the Full Moon Party at Kendwa Rocks

Every month (usually on a Saturday), the Kendwa Rocks hotel on the north of the island holds a Full Moon Party. Now, these aren’t nearly as crazy as the Full Moon Parties you’ll find in Haad Rin on Ko Pha Ngan (I’ve been to both) – there’s no glow paint and no drinking out of buckets – I definitely prefer this one. The normal Saturday nights are fun too! You can find dates for the Kendwa Rocks Full Moon Party here. The African beats are banging, the food is good and there’s always a great mix of travelers and locals enjoying the party. You’ll spend the night dancing barefoot in the sand, listening to reggae under the stars, watching leopard print clad dancers and fire twirlers doing their thing – I’ve even seen a bit of line dancing before. For those who want to chill, there are fire pits where you can sit back, relax and watch everyone trying to twerk.

26: Party Hop

Even when it’s not a full moon, there’s always a party going on somewhere! On any given night, the bars in the beach resorts take turns in hosting the party of the night! Ask the guys at your hotel bar, they’re always in the know!

Aside from Kendwa Rocks, other popular places include Cholo’s and Coccobello in Nungwi and Jambo Beach Bungalows in Paje. Red Monkey Lodge is a great place to stay in Jambiani and they hold a Crazy Monday Jam Session every week – one not to be missed! Some of the hotels offer shuttles or they can organize a taxi! Clubbing in Zanzibar is always fun!

Ladies – just watch out for the men. They are generally very harmless but VERY forward and persistent in Zanzibar (and Tanzania in general) and it can get annoying.

27: Go on a Yoga Retreat

Like any self-respecting beachy paradise, Zanzibar has its fair share of yogi activities!

Yoga Zanzibar , based in beautiful Nungwi offers all kinds of amazing packages and classes – retreats, SUP yoga and teacher training courses and you can also combine the retreats with things like safari, diving, and even tango dancing!

28: Eat Lunch at the Rock Restaurant

If you want to tick off one of the big bucket list things to do in Zanzibar, head to the southeast of the island where you’ll find  The Rock Restaurant , just off Michanvi Pingwe beach. This restaurant is unusual because it is literally built on a rock, in the Indian Ocean!

The food isn’t cheap and it’s not the best food I’ve ever tasted, but it’s nice and it’s the setting that really is the draw here! Plus, they have nice, cold wine!

Go whilst it’s light so you can make the most of the setting and go when it’s high tide as it’s much, MUCH prettier at high tide. Book ahead as it does get busy.

29: Visit Prison Island (Changuu)

Changuu (Prison Island) is a former slave prison, just off the coast of Stone Town. Today it is home to giant Aldabra tortoises, imported from the Seychelles. You can feed the tortoises, enjoy the forest, sunbathe on the white sandy beach and get a great view of Stone Town.

Surrounding the island is a coral reef, good for snorkeling and the water is dotted with colorful starfish.

30: Go Horse Riding

There are a couple of places that offer horse riding on the beach and through the coconut plantations in Zanzibar! The  Zanzibar Horse Club  in Nungwi and the  Sea Cliff Resort  on the west coast, halfway between Stone Town and Nungwi are the best places to go horse riding.

31: Learn Some Kiswahili

Whilst a lot of people speak English, knowing a little bit of Swahili goes a LONG, LONG way in Zanzibar (or any part of Tanzania). Just speaking a few greetings will get you a huge grin, a lot of respect and the response ‘Ah, you speak Swahili?”

You respond “Kidogo, kidogo” – trust me, it will be well received. 

32: Relax on the Beaches

After all these activities,  there’s only one thing left for you to do and that’s to unwind at the beaches, perhaps with a cold Kilimanjaro beer in hand.

Zanzibar has some world-class beaches all over the island, so wherever you go, you’re sure to love it!  Here are a few of my faves:

• Kendwa: There are lots of activities on offer, great for solo travelers, with beautiful sunsets, and calm water. Very chilled in the daytime. Kendwa Rocks is a great hotel and holds the Full Moon Party. For a honeymoon or treat, stay at Zuri Zanzibar, it’s beautiful.
• Nungwi: Nearby and similar to Kendwa, but slightly busier (there’s a big village here) and more all-inclusive type resorts, lots of travelers and things going on. Nungwi also has one of the best hostels for solo travelers on the island called Makofi Guesthouse and I love the Z Hotel.
• Matemwe: Very chilled, village life, unspoiled by tourism, close to Mnemba Atoll. Try one of these highly recommended hotels.
• Michamvi: The only place for sunset in eastern Zanzibar, looks out over a beautiful bay, quieter than the other resorts. Stay at Upendo Zanzibar for a sophisticated stay and great views of the Rock Restaurant (no sunset on this side of the peninsular) or on the other side (with sunset), try Kae Funk for a chilled out vibe, or Michamvi Sunset Bay.
• Pongwe: Pretty beach resort, not as crowded as the others, very chilled. Try The Island – Pongwe Lodge, a very cool hotel set on a little island off the coast. Or for some real luxury, the Tulia Zanzibar Unique Beach Resort.
• Bwejuu: Village life, gorgeous beach, quiet – but close to the likes of Paje and Jambiani for the nightlife. Stay at Tsunami Village (nice place, unfortunate name)!
• Paje: Beautiful beach, kitesurfing, backpacker-friendly, great nightlife, great for solo travellers – although for obvious reasons it can be windy and sometimes there’s a lot of seaweed on the beach. My favourite hostels and hotels are  Drifters ,  Ebb & Flow Apartments , the Mr Kahawa (formerly The Waterfront) and the beautiful Kahawa Lofts.
• Jambiani: Similar to Paje, beautiful beach (in the picture above), great village, Monday night jam session, watersports, nightlife. To be in the action, stay at  Red Monkey Lodge .

33: Stay on a Private Island

Last but not least…

Feeling fancy? Then book yourself into the &Beyond luxury lodge on Mnemba Island, where the sand is brilliant white and the water crystal clear. Living the dream! With prices starting from $1,854 per person, per night, it’s certainly not cheap, but it is super luxurious and romantic. Bill Gates is a fan apparently. One for the bucket list!