Zanzibar Travel Guide 2025
Everything You Need to Know

Zanzibar is not just a beach destination — it is one of the most extraordinary places on earth. A spice island floating in the Indian Ocean, where Arab, African, Indian, and Portuguese cultures have fused over centuries into something entirely its own. We visit it every week. It never gets old.

Zanzibar's Best Beaches

Zanzibar has over 50 beaches, but they are not all equal. The right beach depends entirely on what you are looking for — party atmosphere, total seclusion, snorkelling, or calm swimming.

Stone Town — Zanzibar's UNESCO Heart

Stone Town is a living museum and one of the best-preserved Swahili coastal trading towns in East Africa. Its narrow winding alleys, ornate carved wooden doors, and bustling markets make it endlessly fascinating to explore. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

What to Do in Stone Town

• Visit the Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe) — the oldest building on Zanzibar, built in 1699. Free to enter, wonderful views from the ramparts.
• The Sultan's Palace Museum (Beit el-Sahel) — explore the ornate rooms of Zanzibar's last sultan. Fascinating history of the slave trade and spice commerce.
• Darajani Market — arrive early morning for the best experience. The spice, fish, and vegetable market is where real Zanzibar life happens.
• The Slave Chambers at the Anglican Cathedral — deeply moving and historically essential. The cathedral was built on the site of the last slave market in East Africa.
• Sunset at Forodhani Gardens — every evening, street food vendors set up along the waterfront. Freshly grilled seafood, Zanzibar pizza, and sugarcane juice while watching dhow boats pass.
• Get lost in the alleys — seriously. Put away the map. The best discoveries in Stone Town happen when you wander without a destination.

Spice Tours — Zanzibar's Hidden Treasure

Tanzania is the world's largest producer of cloves, and Zanzibar was historically the world's most important spice trading island. A spice farm tour (2–3 hours) takes you through plantations growing vanilla, cinnamon, turmeric, black pepper, nutmeg, and dozens more. Local guides explain traditional uses, you taste everything fresh, and you leave with a bag of spices to take home. Cost: $20–40 per person including transport. Absolutely unmissable.

Getting to Zanzibar

By Flight from Dar es Salaam

The quickest and most scenic option. Precision Air and Coastal Aviation operate daily flights. The 20-minute flight gives spectacular views of the Indian Ocean and Zanzibar's coastline. Cost: $60–120 return. Book through our website for the best prices.

By Ferry from Dar es Salaam

A more affordable option and a great experience in itself. Fast ferries (Azam Marine, Coastal Fast Ferries) make the crossing in 2 hours. Cost: $35–55 return. Buy tickets in advance during peak season — they sell out. The ferry terminal in Dar es Salaam is in the city centre.

Where to Stay in Zanzibar

Zanzibar accommodation ranges from $15/night guesthouses in Stone Town to $2,000/night private villas. Our honest recommendations by budget:

• Budget ($30–80/night): Guesthouses in Stone Town or beach bungalows in Paje. Simple, clean, characterful.
• Mid-range ($100–250/night): Boutique hotels and beach lodges in Nungwi or Kendwa. Most include breakfast and are steps from the beach.
• Luxury ($300–2,000/night): Private villa resorts in Kizimkazi or premium lodges in Nungwi. Full-service, infinity pools, private beach access.

"We always tell our guests: spend at least one night in Stone Town, then move to a beach. The combination of history and paradise in one trip is what makes Zanzibar truly unforgettable."

What to Eat in Zanzibar

Zanzibari food is a revelation — it is the product of centuries of spice trading and cultural fusion. Dishes you must try:

• Urojo (Zanzibar mix) — a complex, warming soup of potato, mango, lentil fritters, and coconut. The definitive Zanzibar street food.
• Zanzibar pizza — thin dough folded over egg, minced meat, cheese, and spices, cooked on a griddle at Forodhani Gardens. Nothing like Italian pizza.
• Biryani — slow-cooked spiced rice with chicken or beef. The aromatic Zanzibari version is extraordinary.
• Fresh seafood — octopus grilled on charcoal, prawns, lobster. Best eaten at a beachside restaurant at sunset.
• Spiced coffee and chai — cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger perfume every cup. Drink it at a Stone Town café in the morning.

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