Zanzibar is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Africa, with stunning beaches, a laid back lifestyle, friendly people, delicious fresh food and lots of amazing places to stay. Check out my top tips for visiting Zanzibar with advice for what to do, where to stay and how to enjoy the best trip possible.
Where to Stay
Accommodation ranges from super expensive resorts to budget hotels and camping. There are lots of luxurious resorts in Zanzibar, but unfortunately, my budget could not stretch this far, but not to worry.
The Zanzibar Palace Hotel in the Stone Town was my base of choice. With authentic architecture, friendly staff and yummy breakfasts, you couldn’t really go wrong.
The Zanzibar Serena Inn is another great location in the centre of the Stone Town. With its historical features still intact, there is a real atmosphere to the place.
Nungwi and Kendwa on the Northern coast of Unguja are two of the best places to relax on the island and two of my favourite places – in the entire world!
Best Things to Do in Zanzibar
Zanzibar is in a spectacular located in the Indian Ocean with plenty to discover. The history of ancient Monsoon trade, of gold and indigo, of incumbent Sultans and passionate princesses helplessly seeps into your beach experience here.
When it comes to sightseeing, where better to start than Zanzibar city itself? Situated on the west coast of Unguja (the main island of the Zanzibar Archipelago), the city offers something to suit every taste and interest.
For a dose of historic architecture, The Stone Town is the place to see. The House of Wonders is probably one of most well-known landmarks. It was built in 1883 as a Sultan’s residence and is simply spectacular. The Old Fort, a heavy stone fortress is also well worth a visit. Live dance and music shows are held daily in the internal courtyard.
One notable store to visit is Eco Echo which is known for their fair trade items including authentic and affordable Tanzanian gifts. A percentage of what is purchased from Eco Echo goes to benefiting local communities improve their education and receive a clean water supply.
The joy of Zanzibar is the Swahili experience, lapping subtly at the sides. The culture and history of the place is all around you, but all you need do is to lie back and lap it up. There are some stunning, white sand beaches, and a wonderful arabic-swahili style infusing your experience.
Great diving, delicious indian ocean fare and some good less-expensive beach locations that really do fulfil laidback beach dreams. Be sure to visit The Rock (as pictured above) – this is one of the most unique places to eat in the world.
The northernmost point of Zanzibar, ‘Nungwi’, is possibly the most beautiful sandy spot, not including the stunning sandy coral atoll of Mnemba, on the north east shoulder. The east coast has good, long swathes of white sandy beaches, with a long shallow tidal shelf; each area has a good range of accommodation for various budgets. Lesser visited, secluded areas in the south are proving increasingly worthwhile.
After a day of sightseeing in sweltering heat, its time for something to eat. The Forodhani Gardens, fronting The House of Wonders is the place to go after sunset for great food. Expect everything from grilled seafood to typical Zanzibari recipes. Pilau Meat with coconut milk and rice was my particular favourite.
Stone Town
Stone Town is the capital of Zanzibar and a fascinating small town on the coast, brimming with the hustle and bustle of local life. Stone Town is steeped in history and is a captivating living monument to the culture and histories of its curious mix of East African, Arab, Indian, Persian and European conquerors, traders and seafarers. To not see Stone Town is a real shame!
Stone Town is an extraordinary place to explore; the ancient maze of narrow streets is a hotchpotch of historic old stone buildings, built close together for some respite from the tropical island sun; shaded by elegantly carved balconies, loggias and verandas that cling precipitously overhead.
Stone Town gives a glimpse of the essence of Zanzibar; the sights, sounds and smells of the market, restaurants, harbour and mosques; albeit a very real and un-airbrushed view! However, it is increasingly becoming a dedicated tourist centre, with masses of tourist tat flooding the markets. All visitors should be prepared for noisy street vendors, dirty pedestrian streets and a sense of crumbling glory.
A guided tour of Stone Town allows time to see the Sultan’s Palaces and experience the sights and sounds of this idiosyncratic centre. There are many fine buildings to see and some, such as the House of Wonders and the Arab Fort, have been restored to create areas for coffee and relaxation.
Generally the best way to explore Stone Town is to meander the streets, window shopping and absorbing the atmosphere. In the evenings a crowd gathers along the harbour front and in Forodhani Gardens, where smoke rises from barbecues at the assorted food stalls and the curio markets assemble by gaslight amid a hubbub of banter. It is a world apart, and well worth a visit.
Drinking and Nightlife
Maru Maru, Stone Town
At the end of a hot day wandering the historic winding laneways of Zanzibar’s Stone Town, a cocktail is in order – and for a well-mixed drink with beautiful panoramic views, in-the-know locals head up to the rooftop bar at Maru Maru.
A 44-room boutique hotel, it lies a couple of minutes from the sturdy crenellated tower of the town’s fort, not far from the sea front, and attracts a good-looking international crowd to its open-air terrace as the sun goes down. Plenty of people from all over the world have made Stone Town their home and this is one of their favourite hang-outs.
Prices are hiked high for tourists in Zanzibar, so Maru Maru’s 5,000 shilling (GBP2.00) happy hour cocktails are a comparative snip – especially given the location. The rooftop is expansive with comfortable, large cushioned chairs, and the service is friendly and quick.
From above, Stone Town – the old quarter of the island’s capital, Zanzibar Town – is a jagged patchwork of tin roofs, minarets and spires with the Indian Ocean still and blue in the distance.
Our mojitos and caipirinhas were cool, refreshing and slipped down far too easily. The margaritas looked better than they tasted, with over-generous amounts of salt encrusting the glass, but we needed to replace what we’d sweated out during the day in any case…
As happy hour ended and we made our way to dinner, a live band was starting up and the rooftop was full – a great place to start or spend an evening in Stone Town. Maru Maru, Gizenga St, Stone Town has a happy hour 4pm-7pm – highly recommended.
Plan a Trip to Zanzibar
Zanzibar really is one of the most exotic island destinations in Africa and the world, and somewhere you need to add to your trip to Tanzania.