Best Things to Do in Zanzibar & Top Zanzibar Attractions

Dreaming of exploring East Africa’s history? Or lounging in soft white sand as the sounds of waves crash around you? Thousands of people from all over the world travel to Zanzibar every year. As one of Africa’s top destinations, there are endless things to see and do around the islands of Zanzibar. 

Zanzibar is a part of Tanzania. It’s a group of islands off the coast of Dar Es Salaam in the Indian Ocean. Its prime location in the ocean means turquoise clear water teeming with marine life. 

While most people come to Zanzibar to do various water activities, there is still plenty to do for those less keen on being in the ocean. Walking around Stone Town is a must as you immerse yourself in local culture, eat amazing food, and see some of the top historical attractions. 

Forodhani Gardens Market 

One of the first things on your Zanzibar bucket list should be to check out the local food. The islands have many of the same staples as mainland Tanzania, but they also add a few of their own dishes that are worth trying. 

Forodhani is Zanzibar’s top night market. You can walk through the local food vendors and stalls all while smelling the heavenly aroma of the island’s famous spices.

The market has something for everyone, even those that might be picky about what they prefer to eat! Vegetarian options are also ample. 

Try a kebab, samosas, or fresh seafood! You can also find fresh fruits and vegetables. 

Spice Tour 

Not sure why Zanzibar is often called “Spice Island?” Take a spice tour to find out why! Most tours leave from Stone Town and take you to a more rural area of the island where spice farms are located. 

Zanzibar is one of the world’s leading producers of many different spices including nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, and pepper. 

On the tour, you get to try many of the spices and buy some to take home. The tour guide will also explain how to incorporate the spices into your food, including some recipes on how to make local dishes!

Darajani Market 

Head to Darajani Market to buy souvenirs and see a local market! You can buy small trinkets to take home to relatives here. They also sell spices, locally made items made with traditional fabric, and other food items. 

The bread and pastries sold here are amazing and fresh. After walking around the market, especially on hot days, getting something sweet to snack on with fresh juice is a nice way to end the afternoon. 

Go to the Beach 

No matter what you do in Zanzibar, going to the beach is a must. Most of the best beaches in Zanzibar are on the northern and eastern sides of the island. The most visited ones by travellers include Nungwi, Paje, and Pongwe. 

There are endless beaches to explore. You can also book many different excursions including snorkelling, catamaran boat tours, scuba lessons, and more. 

For adventure seekers, you can also go kite surfing and scuba diving. For those just looking to relax, you can lounge on a beach chair with a good book. 

Mnemba Island 

If you’re a scuba diver, Mnemba Island should be one of the first places you go to in Zanzibar. As it’s one of the top places to scuba dive. If you’re interested in the marine life of Zanzibar, Mnemba Island is your best chance to see all the diverse fish, starfish, and many other species. 

Mnemba Island is very small since it’s only 500 meters in diameter. It’s 3km from the coast of Unguja, the main island of Zanzibar. When you book a tour, you’ll be able to go from the main island to this small island. Once there, you can jump off the boat and begin exploring!

Prison Island 

Changuu Island is sometimes referred to as Prison Island. It’s 5km off the coast of Stone Town. Many people head here after exploring the small streets and markets of Stone Town. 

This island has an intense and dark history. It’s worth visiting for those that are interested in the history of the slave trade and how it affected Tanzania. 

The island also has a sanctuary where turtles are rescued and rehabilitated. Changuu island is full of Aldabross tortoises which are magnificent to watch!

Jozani Forest 

For those that want to see the monkeys that call Zanzibar home, this is the best place to come. In fact, it’s the only place in the world where you can see the Red Colobus Monkey. While most of the island is sand and water, this forest is a green haven on the eastern side of the island. 

Red Colobus monkeys can be seen everywhere. They are not afraid to approach visitors and are very friendly. You can see even more monkeys if you book an early morning tour before the rest of the tourists arrive. 

There are many small marked trails you can hike through to see the greenery of the forest. Afterward, the tour guide will take you back to the beach or your resort. 

House of Wonders 

The House of Wonders is easy to find as it’s one of the tallest buildings in Zanzibar. It was built in 1883 by the second sultan of Zanzibar. This is one of the best places to visit if you want to learn more about how Zanzibar was modernized. You can also easily see how this building was influenced by other cultures around the world by the way it’s decorated and built. 

There are also many different exhibitions showcasing Shwahili culture and ancient artifacts from around the island. 

Paje Beach 

While we mentioned going to any of the beaches should make it on your list of things to do, Paje Beach is the most popular beach for travellers for a few different reasons. 

While everyone comes to Paje beach, it’s most common amongst backpackers and budget travellers. Around the beach, you’ll find tons of cafes, local restaurants, bars, and hostels. There are also some larger resorts in the area. 

Paje Beach is also the best place for those that want to try their hand at kite surfing. Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced, the wind and water conditions are perfect in Paje Beach for kite surfing.

The Rock Restaurant 

Want to dine in the middle of the ocean? Check out the Rock Restaurant. It’s in Pongwe Beach. It’s just a short distance from the coast. You can swim during low tide or take a boat taxi during high tide. 

The restaurant gets very busy, so make sure to make reservations ahead of time. If you have a  tour booked to The Rock Restaurant, the guides will plan the reservation and boat taxi for you. 

Zanzibar Bar Coffee House 

You can find amazing coffee in many different places throughout East Africa, but the Zanzibar Coffee House is one of the best. They roast their own coffee so you know all your drinks are fresh. 

If you’re not a fan of coffee, don’t worry! They also serve tea and other drinks. Feel free to eat as well since they have many different food options, including some western choices like veggie wraps. 

Walk Around Stone Town 

If you have a few free hours in Stone Town, spend time just strolling around to take in all the sights. Stone Town is full of small side streets with wonderful surprises. There are plenty of places to eat, drink, and people-watch. 

You can also find boutique shops selling homemade goods. These make for perfect souvenirs. Buying from here is great because you can support the local economy by buying from small shops where the men and women handmake all their items. 

The Old Fort 

Zanzibar has a dark history when it comes to the slave trade. It was one of the main slave trading ports in the 1800s. Before the fort closed, over 50,000 slaves passed through it before getting on boats and being taken to other places. 

The Old Fort is also one of the only places that hosted open slave markets in the 19th century. Touring the fort is an excellent way to learn more about Zanzibar. 

Misali Island 

Along with Mnemba Island, Misali Island is another amazing place to go for diving and snorkeling. There are over 30 diving spots ranging from beginner to advanced. They have some of the most colorful coral reefs on the island along with hundreds of species of marine life. Nearby Penmba Island also has excellent diving spots. 

Go Sailing on a Dhow 

Don’t leave Zanzibar without first sailing in a traditional Dhow. While most beaches offer this excursion, it’s most popular in Nungwi since this is where dhows are built. The best time to do this is sunset so you can see the beautiful colors streaking across the sky. 

Ready to Visit Zanzibar? 

If you’re ready to visit Zanzibar, we can book all your excursions for you! We can make all your Zanzibar dreams come true whether you want to spend all your time in the water or you want to tour around Stone Town! 

Choose from one of our itineraries or let us customize one for you to check off all your Zanzibar bucket list items!

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