Things to do in Zanzibar — Explore Zanzibar
Photo: Alex Petrenko · CC BY-SA 3.0
The island and the surrounding islets are divided into three regions. They are Zanzibar Central/South, Zanzibar North and Zanzibar Urban/West. Zanzibar City, on the central west coast, is the capital and largest city of Zanzibar and the region of Zanzibar Urban/West. The population of Zanzibar Island was about 900,000 in 2016, with the most concentrated populations in the Zanzibar Urban Region. The larger and more populated of the province's two larger islands, Zanzibar is separated from its northern neighbor… (Source: Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA.)
Zanzibar is a stop in Tanzania, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Stone Town UNESCO alleys, Forodhani Gardens night market, Prison Island giant tortoises instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 40–120 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: The dry season for the most comfortable travel. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
The dry season for the most comfortable travel
Weather
Largely warm year-round with distinct wet and dry seasons
Stone Town UNESCO alleys
Forodhani Gardens night market
Prison Island giant tortoises
Nungwi or Kendwa beaches
Spice plantation tour
Jozani Forest red colobus monkeys
Safari Blue sandbank trip
Sunset dhow cruise
Forodhani Gardens night market
Nungwi or Kendwa beaches
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Prefer a full 15-day trip with costs and FAQs? Read the Zanzibar itinerary guide.
Budget
USD 20–40
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 40–120
per person / day
Luxury
USD 140–230+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Typical mid-range for Zanzibar
Estimated total (USD)
$2,040
≈ $1,020 per person · $291 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $80/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Zanzibar mid-range ground costs (budget 20–40 · mid 40–120 · luxury 140–230+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Local favourites
Forodhani Gardens night market
Street food · Seafood skewers at sunset — locals + visitors
Lukmaan Restaurant
Swahili · Stone Town canteen institution
Emerson Spice Tea House
Swahili · Rooftop favourite in a restored house
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Park Hyatt Zanzibar
Stone Town · Waterfront luxury in Stone Town
Emerson on Hurumzi
Stone Town · Rooftop boutique in a historic house
Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas
Paje · Beach villa resort favourite
Photos: Alex Petrenko, Francis Barrow Pearce, Unknown authorUnknown author, This photo was taken by Anton Zelenov. Please credit this with : Photo : Anton Zelenov in the immediate vicinity of the image. If you use one of my photos, plea, Moongateclimber, No machine-readable author provided. Mbz1 assumed (based on copyright claims). — via Wikimedia Commons
Top picks in Zanzibar include Stone Town UNESCO alleys, Forodhani Gardens night market, Prison Island giant tortoises, Nungwi or Kendwa beaches. See the full list and itinerary on this Zanzibar travel guide.
The dry season for the most comfortable travel.
Plan at least 3 days in Zanzibar for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Popular stays in Zanzibar include Park Hyatt Zanzibar, Emerson on Hurumzi, Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
On the ground in Zanzibar (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 20–40 per person per day, mid-range about 40–120, and luxury about 140–230+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
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