Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania lying in the Indian Ocean, made up of many small islands and two large ones: Unguja, the main island usually called Zanzibar Island, and Pemba to the north. The capital, Zanzibar City, sits on Unguja, and its historic centre, Stone Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Away from the capital, the island's tourism is built around its coastline, and the main industries you will notice as a visitor are spices, raffia and tourism.
For a visitor, the practical split is between Zanzibar City and the beaches. Stone Town gives you the historic core, the port and the airport, and the island's transport links; the beach areas sit at various points along the coast and are reached by road from the capital. This guide covers which areas to base yourself in, what each is like to stay in, and how the budget, mid-range and splurge options differ. It does not recommend individual hotels, hostels or guesthouses.
Best areas to stay in Zanzibar
1. Stone Town
Stone Town is the historic centre of Zanzibar City and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which makes it the most convenient base for a first visit. Staying here puts you in the old town itself, close to the port and the airport, so you can arrive, settle in and explore the capital without a long transfer at either end of your trip.
It suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants the city rather than the beach as their base. Accommodation here includes the island's cheapest budget hotels, with doubles starting from around TSh 25,000, and normal budget hotel prices ranging from TSh 45,000 to 90,000 in low season, when several hotels close for lack of customers. Quoted prices are after bargaining, and low season is a good time to negotiate.
2. Nungwi
Nungwi is one of the beach areas named as a place to stay on the island, and it is listed among the destinations with their own hotel listings. It is a coastal base rather than a town base, so you would choose it for the beach rather than for access to the capital.
Beach accommodation is often more expensive than in Stone Town, with the cheapest options starting at TSh 50,000. If you base yourself here, plan on reaching Stone Town, the port and the airport by road.
3. Kendwa
Kendwa is another of the beach areas with its own accommodation listings, sitting on the same northern stretch of coast as Nungwi. Like the other beach bases, it is a place to stay for the sand and sea rather than for the historic centre.
The same pricing pattern applies as elsewhere on the coast: the cheapest options start at around TSh 50,000, above the budget range you find in Stone Town.
4. Paje
Paje is a beach area on the coast with its own hotel listings, and it works as a base if you want to stay on the island's beaches rather than in the capital. It is one of several coastal options rather than a single obvious choice.
As with the other beach areas, expect to pay more than in Stone Town, with the cheapest accommodation starting at about TSh 50,000, and expect to travel by road for the port, the airport and the historic centre.
5. Jambiani
Jambiani is a further beach base named among the places to stay, with its own accommodation listings. It is a coastal option in the same category as Paje and the northern beaches.
Budget travellers should note that beach accommodation generally costs more than Stone Town, with the cheapest options from around TSh 50,000.
6. Matemwe
Matemwe is listed among the beach areas where you can stay, with its own hotel listings. It is a coastal base, chosen for the beach rather than for proximity to the capital.
It follows the island-wide pattern for beach stays: cheaper than nothing, but more expensive than Stone Town, with the cheapest options starting at TSh 50,000.
7. Kizimkazi
Kizimkazi is another named beach area with its own accommodation listings, and it can serve as a base on the coast. It is one of the southern coastal options rather than a city base.
As elsewhere on the beaches, the cheapest accommodation starts at around TSh 50,000, and you should plan to reach Stone Town and the airport by road.
8. Kilimbero
Kilimbero is named among the areas with their own hotel listings, and it is a further option if you want to base yourself away from Stone Town. It belongs to the same group of beach and coastal bases as the others listed here.
The same practical points apply: beach accommodation is generally more expensive than in Stone Town, with the cheapest options from about TSh 50,000, and the capital, port and airport are reached by road.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Stone Town is where the cheapest accommodation is found, with budget hotel doubles from around TSh 25,000 and normal budget hotel prices between TSh 45,000 and 90,000 in low season. Several hotels close in low season for lack of customers, and quoted prices are after bargaining, so low season is a good time to negotiate, particularly if you are not carrying your bags when you do so.
- Mid-range: The beach areas are where you will generally spend more, with the cheapest options at the beaches starting at TSh 50,000. Expect the same bargaining logic to apply, and expect some properties to close in low season.
- Splurge: The source material does not describe a separate top tier of accommodation, so treat the upper end of the beach and Stone Town listings as the higher-priced options rather than assuming a distinct category exists.
Best area for a first visit
Stone Town is the best base for a first visit. It is the historic centre of the capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it holds the island's cheapest accommodation, with budget doubles from around TSh 25,000. It also keeps you close to the port and the airport, so you can explore the city first and move on to the beaches afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zanzibar cheap for accommodation?
Not especially. The source material notes that Zanzibar does not offer much cheap accommodation. The cheapest budget hotels in Stone Town start from around TSh 25,000 for a double, and normal budget hotel prices run from TSh 45,000 to 90,000 in low season.
Is it cheaper to stay in Stone Town or at the beach?
Stone Town is generally cheaper. Beach accommodation is often more expensive, with the cheapest options starting at TSh 50,000, compared with the lower budget range available in Stone Town.
When is the best time to bargain on room prices?
Low season is a good time to bargain, according to the source material. Several hotels stay closed in low season due to lack of customers, and quoted prices are after bargaining. Not having your bags with you when you negotiate also gives you a boost.
Which areas have their own accommodation listings?
The areas named with their own hotel listings are Stone Town, Jambiani, Kendwa, Kilimbero, Kizimkazi, Matemwe, Nungwi and Paje.
Compare live prices for the areas above with the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.