Destination guide

Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches)

Tanzania · Africa

Search all hotels in Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches) 2026-08-28 → 2026-08-31 · 2 · 1

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).

At a glance

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.

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When to visit

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.

Getting around

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).

Where to stay

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.

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.

Book your trip

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Do I need a visa for Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches)?

Policy: e-Visa
Typical stay: 90 days

Almost all visitors need Tanzania visa (US$50 tourist, US$100 US citizens). eVisa preferred — apply 10+ days ahead. Visa on arrival available at ZNZ (US$50 cash exact) but slow. Yellow-fever certificate required if arriving from endemic country including Kenya.

Official government source

How do I get to Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches)?

Airports

ZNZ · Abeid Amani Karume International · 6 km
Hotel-arranged transfer US$15–80 depending on beach; taxi Stone Town US$15 negotiated, Nungwi US$70, Paje US$50.
DAR · Dar es Salaam Julius Nyerere (mainland) · 0 km
Domestic hop to Zanzibar 20 min US$70–120 (Coastal, Auric, Precision) or Azam Marine ferry 2h US$35–60.

By rail

None on Zanzibar; SGR train Dar–Dodoma exists on mainland.

Zanzibar has separate immigration from mainland Tanzania — passport stamped on arrival at ZNZ.

How do I get around Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches)?

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.

Passes & tickets

None — cash-per-ride only. Carry US$ small bills + TSh for local vendors.

Domestic flights (Coastal, Auric, ZanAir) from Arusha, Dar, Selous US$70–150 — much faster than Azam ferry. Book hotel transfers ahead — airport touts overcharge.

What should I eat and know about food culture in Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches)?

Signature dishes

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.

Etiquette

99% Muslim — cover shoulders + knees in villages + Stone Town; bikinis on beach only.
Ramadan: eating/drinking in public discouraged — resorts unaffected, Stone Town restaurants close daytime.
Tipping 10% at restaurants; US$1–3 for porters + drivers per day.

Bottled water only — never tap. Kilimanjaro + Serengeti + Safari lagers. Fresh coconut TSh2,000. Konyagi (Tanzanian spirit) + Amarula (South African cream) locally popular. Coffee at Zanzibar Coffee House (Stone Town) US$3.

Is Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches) safe for travelers?

Overall risk: ModerateEmergency: 112

Beach resort strips + Stone Town main areas safe.
Avoid dark Stone Town alleys after 10pm — pickpockets.
Yellow-fever cert if from endemic country; typhoid + hepatitis A + malaria prophylaxis recommended.
Emergency 112 / 999.

Official travel advice

Frequently asked questions

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.

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