Choose another country to see content specific to your location
Choose another country to see content specific to your location
The East African island of Zanzibar is a must do on every African itinerary.
The ‘Spice Island’ is not just rich in spices, but also white sand beaches, marine animals and history.
Here are 10 things to see and do on the island of Zanzibar.
Your first stop in Zanzibar will likely be Stone Town, the historical centre of Zanzibar City.
Stone Town is rich in history and you can spend hours roaming the labyrinth streets.
But make sure you keep a map handy! The labyrinth streets can be disorientating and it’s easy to get lost.
A sombre but interesting place to see is the site of the former Slave Market. Zanzibar was once a large slave trading port – in fact it was the setting of the world’s last open slave market.
You can still see two of the claustrophobic underground chambers where slaves were kept before they were sold. A museum above the chambers details in Swahili and English about the history of the slave trade.
Other key sights in Stone Town include Mercury House, where Queen’s Freddie Mercury spent his early years; the House of Wonders; and the Old Fort.
Also keep an eye out for Zanzibar’s famous doors. The distinctive doors are fitted with brass studs originating from India. The brass studs functioned as a defence against war elephants, which were utilised to break down doors. However, the studs are purely decorative on the Stone Town doors.
You’ve probably worked up an appetite after all that walking through Stone Town, so head down to the night market for dinner.
The market is held every night in the Forodhani Gardens on the waterfront, and it’s a hive of activity as all sorts of foods are cooked up and vendors hustle.
Food and drinks on offer include:
From Stone Town, you can take a short boat trip out to Prison Island to find out about a part of Zanzibar’s history and also see the resident turtles.
Despite the name, the prison on the island actually served as a quarantine centre for people with yellow fever.
Zanzibar’s reputation as the Spice Island is due to its abundant production of spices ranging from cloves to nutmeg, and its importance as a trading post between Africa and the Middle East. Zanzibar was once the clove production capital of the world.
Tours are offered across the island for a two-hour visit to a working spice plantation. During the tour, you’ll find out the medicinal and cooking uses of a range of spices.
Zanzibar offers some magic spots to watch the sun go down.
One of my favourite spots to watch the sunset was the promenade in Stone Town’s Forodhani Gardens.
While the sunset casts a colourful glow across the sky, you can enjoy the local street food and watch the locals play volleyball or jump off the sea wall into the ocean.
One of the major attractions in Zanzibar is the chance to swim in the clear, bright blue waters of the Indian Ocean.
Your photos won’t need any Instagram filters to showcase the beauty of the water.
The water is also very calm, so it’s perfect for swimming without worrying about being knocked over by waves.
The most popular beachside towns are Nungwi and Paje. Nungwi is best suited to couples and families, while Paje is a popular spot for backpackers.
While Nungwi is basically a row of gated resorts, Paje offers budget accommodation along the beachfront (you can get a dorm bed from £13.5 GBP a night).
Paje also offers well priced cafes and restaurants along the beachfront. Mr Kahawa is a backpacker favourite, and offers snacks, meals and desserts until 5pm daily.
Many restaurants and bars offer cocktails at half price during daily Happy Hours, which generally run from 5pm to 7pm.
Try the traditional African Dawa cocktail – or go for timeless favourites such as a pina colada or daquiri.
Dawa means medicine in the local Swahili language, and the refreshing cocktail is made with vodka, honey, lime and sugar.
If you’re keen on heading out on the water, take a snorkelling or dolphin spotting tour.
Boats leave at 6.30am daily to take you out to areas frequented by dolphins.
You’ll be provided with snorkelling gear and then you get to jump into the water near the dolphins.
You can also arrange snorkelling trips to the outlying Mnemba or Tumbatu islands.
Tours can be arranged from Stone Town, Nungwi or Paje.
Zanzibar’s east coast is a popular spot for Kitesurfers due to favourable wind conditions.
Paje is a good base for travellers interested in kitesurfing with equipment hire possible or you can also take lessons starting from £17 GBP per hour.
You can also head out on a traditional dhow boat during your stay in Zanzibar.
From Nungwi, you can watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean from the deck of a dhow.
Cruises leave daily at 4pm and return around 7pm.
Prices start from £10 GBP and include fruit to snack on and soft drinks.
Lisa Owen is a pint-sized Australian following her dreams to travel to as many places as she can, and loves to share her photography, travel hacks, hiking adventures, and food discoveries along the way. At last count, she has travelled to more than 60 countries in between working in public relations and discovering hidden gems in Australia's great outdoors. Instagram: @thelittleadventurer. Facebook: The Little Adventurer Australia.
The views, opinions and positions expressed by the author and those providing comments are theirs alone, and are meant as travel inspiration only. They do not reflect the opinions of Cover-More Insurance. You should always read the Policy Documents available from your travel insurance provider to understand the limits, exclusions and conditions of your policy and to ensure any activities you undertake are covered by your policy.