Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches) Travel Guide: Where to Stay, What to Do and When to Go

Why visit Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches)

Zanzibar is the perfect beach cap to a Serengeti safari or Morocco desert trip — UNESCO Swahili-Omani heritage + reef-fringed east coast + world-class kite-surf at Paje in one archipelago.

Zanzibar is Tanzania's Indian-Ocean archipelago — Stone Town's UNESCO Swahili-Omani lanes, cinnamon + clove spice-farm tours, dhow sunset sails, and 60 km of powder-white east-coast beaches (Paje, Jambiani, Matemwe, Nungwi, Kendwa). Ideal 6–9 night stay — split 2 Stone Town + 4–6 beach — or as a beach cap to a Serengeti / Ngorongoro safari (1h flight from Arusha).

• Stone Town UNESCO heritage + 60 km east-coast beaches + spice-farm culture.

• Most beach hotels arrange transfers US$40–80; Cat Cocos ferry from Dar es Salaam alternative.

• Tanzania visa required — US$50 eVisa 10+ days ahead at visa.immigration.go.tz.

• Jun–Oct dry cool best; Dec–Feb hot + premium; Mar–May long rains, many resorts close.

• Currency TSh + US$; Type G/D 230V plugs; bottled water only.

Best time to visit Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches)

June–October is the dry cool season — 25–28°C, low humidity, best diving + kite-surfing in Paje (Kaskazi winds). December–February is dry hot — 28–33°C, holiday premium prices. March–May is long rains — many resorts close, cheapest rates otherwise. November is short rains — brief showers, still good value.

Where to stay in Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches)

Choosing the right neighbourhood matters more than the hotel itself in Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches). These are the areas travelers book most.

• Stone Town

  UNESCO capital — Freddie Mercury birthplace, Forodhani night market, Old Fort, House of Wonders — Emerson on Hurumzi, Park Hyatt Zanzibar, Zanzibar Serena.

• Nungwi (north)

  Party + non-tidal beach, sunset dhow port — Zuri Zanzibar, Riu Palace, The Royal Zanzibar.

• Kendwa

  Sister beach to Nungwi with famous Kendwa Rocks full-moon party — Gold Zanzibar, Riu Jambo.

• Matemwe (northeast)

  Reef-fringed calm — Zawadi, Kilindi Zanzibar (private-island vibe), &Beyond Mnemba.

• Paje / Jambiani (southeast)

  Kite-surf capital + boho vibe — Zanzi Resort, Mchanga Beach, White Sand Luxury Villas.

• Kizimkazi (south)

  Dolphin-watching + quiet beach — The Residence, Karafuu Beach Resort.

Top things to do in Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches)

• Stone Town UNESCO walking tour

  Freddie Mercury house, Old Fort, House of Wonders, Old Slave Market — 3h guided US$25.

• Spice farm tour

  Cinnamon, clove, cardamom, vanilla — half-day US$25 including cooking demo + tropical fruit tasting.

• Prison Island (Changuu)

  Giant Aldabra tortoises + snorkel — dhow half-day from Stone Town US$40.

• Mnemba Atoll snorkel + dolphins

  Boat from Matemwe — swim with dolphins + reef US$80 half-day.

• Jozani Chwaka Bay red colobus monkeys

  Endemic monkey forest + mangrove boardwalk — half-day US$40 including entry.

Getting around Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches)

Domestic flights (Coastal, Auric, ZanAir) hop from Dar es Salaam + Arusha for US$70–150. On-island: private drivers US$40–80 per day, dala-dala local buses TSh500, taxis need pre-negotiated fares (Stone Town–Nungwi US$40, ZNZ airport–Paje US$50). Rent scooter TSh30,000/day with international permit (check licence rules changing frequently).

• Private driver

  US$40–80 per day with English-speaking guide — most efficient.

• Dala-dala

  Local minibus TSh500–1,500 — crowded, adventure mode only.

• Taxi

  Pre-negotiate flat fares — Stone Town–Nungwi US$40, Paje–ZNZ US$50.

• Scooter

  TSh30,000/day with international permit; roads variable, sand patches.

What to eat in Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches)

• Zanzibar pizza + urojo (Zanzibar mix soup)

  Forodhani night market Stone Town — TSh5,000–12,000 (US$2–5).

• Pilau + biryani (spiced rice)

  Lukmaan, The Silk Route, Emerson Spice — US$8–15.

• Fresh grilled seafood (octopus, kingfish, prawns)

  Beach BBQ dinners at resorts + The Rock (Michamvi) US$40–80.

• Mandazi + chai

  Fried dough + spiced tea breakfast — TSh1,000 street.

Practical tips for Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches)

• Cover shoulders + knees in Stone Town + villages — Zanzibar is 99% Muslim; bikinis on beach only.

• Cash US$ for tips + small vendors; ATMs in Stone Town + Nungwi only.

• Avoid seafood on land after long midday sun — stick to reputable resort kitchens.

How long to stay and what it costs

Most travelers spend 6–9 days in Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches). Compare live hotel rates for your exact dates before fixing the length of your trip — shoulder-season nights in Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches) are often materially cheaper than peak weeks.