Marhaba Travel Guide🇹🇿 Tanzania · Africa

Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches)

Stone Town heritage + Indian-Ocean white sand + spice-island culture.

Beach + culture comboHoneymoonersSafari-cap travellersKite-surfers (May–Oct)

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Planning your trip to Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches)?

Quick answers built from our destination research — not AI guesses.

How many days do I need in Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches)?

We recommend 6–9 days to see the highlights without rushing.

When is the 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.

Who is Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches) best for?

Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches) is a great fit for beach + culture combo, honeymooners, safari-cap travellers, kite-surfers (may–oct).

I'm a first-time visitor — what should I know?

Two Stone Town + five beach (east coast Matemwe/Pingwe or north Nungwi) is the ideal 7-night intro.

About Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches)

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).

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.

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Your Marhaba Trip Plan

Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches) at a glance

Recommended trip: 6–9 days
Best time to visit: June–October is the dry cool season — 25–28°C, low humidity, best diving + kite-surfing in Paje (Kaskazi winds).
Getting around: Domestic flights (Coastal, Auric, ZanAir) hop from Dar es Salaam + Arusha for US$70–150.
Recommended areas: Stone Town · Nungwi (north) · Kendwa

Top experiences

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.

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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.

Where to stay in Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches)

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.

Travel 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.

Who is Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches) best for?

Tips tailored to how you travel.

First-time visitors

Two Stone Town + five beach (east coast Matemwe/Pingwe or north Nungwi) is the ideal 7-night intro.

Family travel

Matemwe reef lagoon + Nungwi non-tidal beach + spice tour + Prison Island tortoises + dolphin snorkel is a full family week.

Luxury travel

&Beyond Mnemba (12 bandas private island), Zuri Zanzibar, Kilindi, The Residence, Park Hyatt Stone Town.

Budget travel

Paje + Jambiani guesthouses US$40–80, Forodhani street grill US$5, dala-dala TSh500.

Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches) travel FAQ

Do I need a visa for Zanzibar?

Yes — Tanzania visa required for almost all nationals. Cheapest is eVisa (US$50 tourist, US$100 US) via visa.immigration.go.tz submitted 10+ days ahead. Visa on arrival available at ZNZ airport (US$50 cash exact) but eVisa avoids queues. Yellow-fever certificate required if arriving from an endemic country (including Kenya).

How do I combine Zanzibar with Morocco?

Not a direct pair — connect via Doha (Qatar 15h), Dubai (Emirates 12h), or Addis Ababa (Ethiopian 14h). Marhaba curates 7-night Morocco (Sahara + Marrakech) + 7-night Zanzibar (Stone Town 2 + beach 5) with Doha stopover as the flagship Africa + Ocean itinerary.

Is Zanzibar good for families?

East-coast reef-protected beaches (Matemwe, Pingwe, Kizimkazi) are best for kids — calm lagoons at low tide. Nungwi + Kendwa are non-tidal 24/7 for guaranteed swimming. Stone Town culture 1–2 days, spice tour, dolphin snorkel Kizimkazi, Prison Island tortoises are classic family adds.

What's the best luxury stay in Zanzibar?

&Beyond Mnemba Island (private island, 12 bandas), Zuri Zanzibar (Nungwi, Design Hotels), Kilindi Zanzibar (Matemwe, Elewana), The Residence (Kizimkazi), Park Hyatt Stone Town (harbourfront). Book 6+ months ahead for Dec–Feb + Jul–Aug.

Can I visit Zanzibar on a budget?

Yes — Paje + Jambiani have US$40–80 guesthouses, street food (Forodhani grill US$5), dala-dala buses TSh500. Stone Town hostels US$15. Diving PADI Open Water US$450, spice tour US$25. Avoid Dec 20–Jan 5 + Aug when everything doubles.

How do I get from ZNZ airport to my beach hotel?

Most hotels arrange transfers US$40–80 depending on distance (Stone Town US$15, Paje US$50, Nungwi US$70). Pre-book — airport touts overcharge. ZanTravels + Sunny Cars + hotel drivers reliable. Ferry from Dar es Salaam (Azam Marine 2h US$35–60) is an alternative for those already in mainland Tanzania.

Is Zanzibar safe for tourists?

Beach areas + resort strips are safe. Stone Town safe day + main areas evening — avoid dark alleys after 10pm. Dress modestly outside resorts (Zanzibar is 99% Muslim) — shoulders + knees covered in villages + Stone Town. Emergency 112 / 999. Yellow-fever cert if from endemic country; typhoid + hepatitis A recommended.

When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?

June–October for dry cool weather + best diving visibility. December–February for hottest beach weather + holiday premium. Avoid April–May long rains (many resorts close). November brief short rains — good shoulder value.

Suggested itineraries for Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches)

Editorial trip templates — a starting point for your own planning.

3 days

Zanzibar quick beach + Stone Town

Day 1 — Stone Town walking tour + Forodhani night market + rooftop dinner Emerson.
Day 2 — Transfer to Nungwi or Matemwe; sunset dhow sail.
Day 3 — Snorkel Mnemba Atoll + return flight.

5 days

Zanzibar classic 2+3

Day 1–2 — Stone Town (Freddie Mercury house, spice tour, Prison Island).
Day 3 — Transfer east coast (Matemwe or Pingwe).
Day 4 — Mnemba Atoll snorkel + kite-surf lesson Paje.
Day 5 — Jozani Forest red colobus + spa + departure.

7 days

Zanzibar deep beach + Stone Town

Day 1–2 — Stone Town culture + spice.
Day 3–7 — Choose beach base: Matemwe (reef), Nungwi (party + non-tidal), Paje (kite), Kizimkazi (dolphins). Add Mnemba snorkel, sunset dhow, sandbank picnic.

More ways to extend or combine your Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches) trip.