At the edge of Stone Town the alleys narrow until a carved door is close enough to touch, and somewhere behind it a shopkeeper is measuring cloves onto a brass scale. That is the moment Zanzibar stops being a name on a map and becomes a place you walk through.
The islands suit travellers who are happy on foot in the heat, who want reefs and spice farms as much as they want history, and who do not mind an early start to catch a boat. This guide covers the sights and experiences worth building a trip around, drawn from what is reliably documented, and ends with a single-day plan that strings them together.
Top things to do in Zanzibar
1. Stone Town
The inner city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, blending Moorish, Middle Eastern, Indian and African traditions and architectures. You can spend days winding through its labyrinthine alleys, though a single day gives you plenty of insight, since the inner city is small and easily explored on foot.
Walking these streets is hot and thirsty work, so carry and drink plenty of water. While you are here you can shop for souvenirs, stop for the occasional tea, or visit the city's historic sites.
2. Former Slave Market
This is the site of the old Slave Market, and what remains is the slave chambers, a memorial, and an Anglican Church built on the site of the tree that served as a whipping post. The chambers are small, dark, dungeon-type cells, one for 50 men and one for 75 women and children, and going down into the cellar shows how this wretched piece of history played itself out.
The museum provides only very limited information on the history of the building or the slave trade in Zanzibar, and apart from the chambers nothing is left, as a hospital has been built into the old market. The property was purchased by Dr David Livingstone, who wanted to turn the grounds into a haven after the atrocities committed there by the Oman Arab slave traders.
3. The House of Wonders
It carries this name because it was the first house in East Africa to have electricity, running water, and an elevator. It sits within Stone Town, so it fits naturally into a walk through the alleys rather than a separate trip.
Pair it with the other historic sites in the inner city, and keep it as one stop among several rather than a destination on its own.
4. Jozani Forest
Jozani Forest has excellent nature trails, featuring some very exotic and large trees. Even more interesting are the Red Colobus Monkeys that live here. Native to the island, these monkeys are now nearly extinct, and they are very curious and playful, and will likely pose for a picture.
The entry fee includes an optional visit to a beautiful mangrove forest, which is highly recommended. The Zanzibar Butterfly Centre is just down the road, so the two combine well in one outing.
5. Zanzibar Butterfly Centre
Located near Jozani National Park, this is a community development project and tourist destination just down the road from Jozani Forest. Revenue from admissions is used to pay farmers in the village who sustainably farm butterflies.
It is a genuine project that makes a real difference to farmers' income, and you can see spectacular local species flying close at hand in a tropical garden. It opens 9AM to 5PM, and entry is US$5 per person.
6. Spice tour
Zanzibar Island was an important stop in the spice trade centuries ago, and today it is one of the few places in the world where saffron is produced, alongside many other Middle Eastern and Asian spices such as cardamom, ginger, cloves and nutmeg. Several companies run tours that wind around the island, showing you how cinnamon, jack fruit, kukurma or anise are grown, letting you sample exotic fruit, and taking you through the plantations.
In Stone Town, be wary of booking and paying directly on the street, where a tout might take your money without a booking; another common scam is a tout following you into the office so the price rises by US$5 as their commission. If you have a car you can drive to the Kizimbani area yourself, where spice tours are offered. Expect to tip the man who climbs the coconut tree singing, the person doing the fruit tasting, the person braiding palm leaves, and your guide; more people may appear during the tour and expect tips.
7. Kendwa Beach
On the north-western coast, Kendwa has a beautiful sand beach, and you can swim here during both low and high tide, which is not always possible on the east side of the island. It offers plenty of beach bars and restaurants serving everything from pizza to local curries.
Beware of sea urchins, which give a powerful sting if stepped on during low tide. Kendwa is also known for the Full Moon Party, arranged on Saturdays just before or after a full moon, which draws a large group of people, especially when the full moon coincides with public holidays in Europe and North America.
8. East Beaches
The seemingly endless beaches near Paje or Jambiani are very popular among travellers. The sand is brilliant white and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean are a deep teal.
These are the beaches to choose if you want long walks and space rather than a bar scene; note that swimming at low tide is less straightforward on this side than on the north-west coast.
9. Scuba diving and snorkeling
Crystal clear water and beautiful reefs make Zanzibar a great place for underwater activities. Be aware that in some areas reefs are in poor condition and fish populations are low.
A snorkel boat trip with equipment starts from US$35 per boat.
10. Dolphin tour
This intense tour starts in Kizimkazi on the south tip of the island and includes snorkelling and chasing dolphins. Tours can be arranged from Stone Town to the village, with a few hours of boat tour, a local lunch, a nap on the beach, and an optional visit to Jozani Forest.
The full tour leaves town at 8AM and returns at 5PM, making it a complete day out. A boat trip with snorkel equipment starts from US$40 per boat.
11. Ride on a local's dhow
These traditional boats make for a wonderful sunset cruise. It is a simple way to end a day on the water without committing to a full tour.
Time it for the evening so the sail doubles as your sunset plan.
12. Sit and stare at the water
This is worth listing as an activity in its own right. Zanzibar rewards doing very little for hours on end, and the coastline gives you plenty of places to do it.
Build it into an afternoon rather than treating it as time lost between sights.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start in Stone Town while it is cooler, walking the labyrinthine alleys on foot and stopping at the Former Slave Market and The House of Wonders. Carry water, as the walking is hot and thirsty work.
Afternoon: Head to Jozani Forest for the nature trails and the Red Colobus Monkeys, and take the optional mangrove forest visit included with the entry fee. If time allows, add the Zanzibar Butterfly Centre just down the road.
Evening: Return to the coast and take a ride on a local's dhow for a sunset cruise, then sit and stare at the water before dinner.
Frequently asked questions
How much time do I need in Stone Town?
A day will give you plenty of insight. The inner city is small and can easily be explored by foot, though you could spend days winding through the alleys if you have the time.
What should I watch out for when booking a spice tour?
Be wary of booking and paying directly on the street in Stone Town, where a tout might take your money without a booking. Another common scam is a tout following you into the office, which raises the tour price by US$5 as their commission. You can also drive to the Kizimbani area yourself, where spice tours are offered.
Can I combine Jozani Forest with anything nearby?
Yes. The Zanzibar Butterfly Centre is just down the road from Jozani Forest, and the entry fee at Jozani includes an optional visit to a mangrove forest.
Is swimming possible at all tides?
At Kendwa Beach on the north-western coast you can swim during low and high tide, which is not always possible on the east side of the island. Watch for sea urchins at low tide, as they give a powerful sting if stepped on.
Decide how many days you can give to Stone Town, the reefs and the spice farms, then start mapping your route around the island.