10 things to do in Zanzibar
Whether you’re looking for somewhere to relax after Safari, climbing Kilimanjaro or just want to hang out in an island paradise, Zanzibar Island has a lot to offer! This island is located off the Eastern coast of Africa and it has a rich history as a trading outpost and a colony, meaning there are many more things to do in Zanzibar besides just hitting the beach.
1. Check out Stone town
People have been living on the island for over 20,000 years, but Stone Town is the central point of Zanzibar. Because of its location off the coast and its sheltered harbor, Stone Town turned from a fishing village into a trading center. The island also was governed by many colonial rulers, from Portugal to Oman to Great Britain, until it became independent in 1963. As a trading center, the island has plenty of cultural influences from colonizers and traders from India and Arab countries. Slavery also affected the island as it was used as a port to send slaves abroad, while hundreds of slaves also worked on plantations on the island. It’s a mix of African, Arabic, and colonial styles all packed into one city. Because of all the unique influences, Stone Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000!
The best way to get a feel for this city is to wander around the narrow maze of streets. You’ll get lost, but that’s half the fun! You’ll also probably be able to tell quickly that a lot of things haven’t been properly maintained since the colonial era. The older facades of the buildings are part of what gives Stone Town its unique charm! Stone Town itself is fairly small with a population of just 16,000 residents living inside the city in 2016. The town’s economy is now primarily based on tourism and it is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Tanzania.
THINGS TO DO IN STONE TOWN;
Admire stone town's intricate doors
The fascinating architecture of the buildings starts with their doors! As you wander through the streets, make sure you look around at the beautiful, carved doors that are a special feature of the city. The designs and carvings of the doors tell about the residents who lived there. You can also tell whether the doors are Swahili, Indian, or Arab based on the shape and design!
See the birth place of Freddie Mercury
If you love Queen, don’t miss out on the chance to see where Freddie Mercury was born – it is located right in the city center, so you won’t miss it! (Or just search Freddie Mercury’s birthplace on Google Maps). Some people say this might not be the real house (because his father moved several times when Freddie was young), but it’s still a great opportunity to learn a little more about the background and upbringing of this amazing singer!
Admire the Old Fort
This is exactly what the name says it is! Take a look around a unique piece of history and check out The Old Fort. This is an old fortification built by the Omani Arabs in 1699. It is also one of the oldest buildings in town. A more recent addition to the fort is an open-air amphitheater where you can watch local shows or other events.
Visit the house of wonders
This was unfortunately closed for renovation while I was there, but I’ll be visiting on my next trip to Zanzibar! This is the tallest and largest building in town and was originally a palace facing the town’s central square. The building is now home to the National Museum of History and Culture.
Learn about the slave trade at the slave Museum
As I mentioned before, the island has a dark past. This market was the last functioning slave market in the world and it only closed in 1873. Although this might seem like a bit of a downer, it’s an important part of the history of the region. Thousands of Africans were brought to the island as slaves to work on plantations. Slave traders also used the island as a base camp before sending slaves on the long journey to the East to be sold in Persia, Arabia, the Ottoman Empire, and Egypt.
Visit one of the rooftop restaurants
After a long day of taking in the sites and the culture, I recommend finding a rooftop restaurant for dinner and a drink as the sun sets. I recommend The Tea House Restaurant. It’s a great place to see the sunset, but make sure to make a reservation in advance! The restaurant gets busy with other tourists who want to enjoy the view as well.
Wander around Darajain Market
While you’re there, why not wander around the main bazaar in town? You’ll get a taste of life in Zanzibar – and a whiff as well! I found the market to be an authentic experience. There is an indoor section of the market, but also a lot of pop-up vendors on the surrounding streets. You’ll be able to experience a lot of traditional Zanzibar food and ingredients, as well as admire clothes, shoes, and traditional hats.
Note: Be prepared for the smell since part of this market is a fish market!
Forodhani gardens
Although I wouldn’t call these actual “gardens,” this is the central square of Stone Town. It has lots of trees and is a hotspot for locals and tourists alike. I recommend going after sunset and enjoying the street food market. To get the full experience, look around for the stands that have the longest lines of locals and try some authentic Zanzibar dishes here (this means the food is good!).
Drink coffee at Jaws corner
It might take you a while to find it as it’s among the narrow streets, but Jaws Corner is a small plaza. You can stop by and try the Arabic-style local coffee. Just be prepared – it’s not like a cup of coffee with cream and sugar like you might be used to! It’s typically served black and bitter, and it is very strong.
Do some shopping
There are so many little boutique stores all over Stone Town. There’s a bunch on Ginzenga Street, Kenyatta Road, and Changa Bazaar Street. You’ll also be sure to see some great stores for souvenirs as you’re wandering around.
Note: Zanzibar is a predominantly Muslim island. As a female traveler visiting Stone Town, you might want to dress conservatively.
2. Take a boat trip and enjoy snorkeling in Zanzibar
If you want to do a safari in Zanzibar, you can consider a sea adventure safari as well! Leaving Stone Town, these tours are one of the best ways to experience snorkeling in Zanzibar. You might also get a chance to swim with dolphins! Depending on which tour you choose, you will be taken to several different places, from a sandbar to a lagoon. You’ll also get a full buffet lunch, which is usually grilled right on the beach! You can also sail in one of the traditional Dhows (boats used by Arabs and Indians that have large triangular sails).
3. Try some local dishes
If you want to go around the city and try some authentic food by yourself, here are some traditional dishes I can recommend:
Zanzibar pizza-You might be thinking that you’ve had pizza before, but not like this! This isn’t like any pizza you’ve ever seen. It’s more like a pancake or pupusa. The dough is folded up so that all the ingredients are inside and then it’s cooked on a hot metal pan. You can get these with chicken or beef, and they usually also include an egg, cheese, onion, bell peppers, and mayo. You can also get it with chili if you like spice! If you’re looking for a sweet treat, some vendors even make these with Nutella or mango and cheese.
Biryani and pilau- Two rice dishes are traditional on the island – biryani and pilau. To make biryani, the rice is cooked separately from the meat and sauce. Once everything is finished, then everything is combined and it’s served with an amazing sauce.
Pilau- Is cooked all together with all the ingredients in the same pot, giving the rice an incredible flavor. You can get it either with your choice of meat or without any meat. I recommend that you try both and see which you like better!
Urojo Soup-This is a flour-based soup with mango and lemon flavors. It also usually has potatoes served three ways in it – cubed, fried mashed potatoes, and potato shavings, along with lots of spices and meat. With a slightly sour flavor and a lot of tang, this soup is something you have to try! It’s a lunchtime favorite of Zanzibar people.
Zanzibar tea- Zanzibar isn’t known as the “spice island” for nothing! When I came back from my hike to Kilimanjaro, I was feeling a bit under the weather. This tea was an amazing blend of spices and helped me clear my throat!
Mishkaki (maybe with an octopus!)- Mishkaki is a meat kabob where the meat is marinated in spices and then grilled. These are common snack foods and you can get them with any kind of meat you like. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even try them with an octopus! The island is known for its “octopus hunters”, so octopus is a common addition to lots of dishes.
Mandazi- Mandazi is a fried dough, a bit similar to a donut, but not as sweet. These are eaten alone or with dips and accompany a lot of dishes.
4. Take a spice tour in Zanzibar
Early settlers soon learned that the island was perfect for growing a variety of different spices. As a result, there are lots of spice farms on the island. You’ll also taste the spices in the food, of course! One fun thing to do is to take a spice tour where you can visit a spice farm and learn about how they grow and process all the different spices. The spice farms are free to visit, but the guides work for tips. You can also book a 3-hour tour for USD 36 a person if you want a private experience. If you’re short on time and want to see the town and a spice farm, the 6-hour Sultan Panorama Tour will show you everything you want to see in Stone Town – you’ll visit a spice farm, and you’ll get to see a local village!
5. Visit Jozani forest
When I visited Zanzibar, we had just come back from an amazing safari, so we opted out of visiting Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park only because we didn’t think there was any chance it could compare to our epic safari adventure! It’s best to hit the forest if you’re heading from Stone Town to Paje Beach (or the other way around). That way you can stop along the way and not make a detour for a quick visit.
Note: Tanzania is full of national parks. 45% of the country’s territory is a protected area! But there’s only one on the island so you really should visit it if you want the chance to see some unique Zanzibar wildlife!
6. Try Kitesurfing in Zanzibar!
If you are searching for some adventurous things to do in Zanzibar – try kitesurfing! It’s one of the best spots in the world to do it! Kitesurfing is a sport where you ride standing up on a small surfboard or kiteboard and let the wind drag you along while you hold onto a kite. This is a full-body sport and you’ll be feeling a bit sore the next day! Paje is considered to be the best place to kitesurf, but you can also take lessons at Nungwi Beach or Jambiani Beach. Most tourist beaches offer kitesurfing lessons, so if you’re just starting, you can pretty much give it a go anywhere!
Tip: The best time to go if you want to kitesurf is from January to February or June to September. If you’re there during this time, you might also get to see some expert kite surfers doing tricks and jumps!
7: Head to the North of the island, Nungwi beach
Most of you are probably already planning on hitting this popular beach and, if it’s not on your must-see list, it should be! This is the island paradise you’re dreaming of – picture-perfect soft, white sand beaches and clear turquoise water.
Note: Zanzibar beaches that aren’t part of a hotel or resort aren’t really well taken care of and there tends to be a lot of garbage on them so don’t waste your time visiting them. Instead, go to the beaches that have some infrastructure. If there is at least one restaurant nearby, that’s a good indication that the beach around it is probably swimmable.
Kendwa Beach is right around the corner (10 minutes by car) from Nungwi Beach. You should check it out too and, while you’re there, don’t forget to watch the amazing sunset!
8. Eat at the rock restaurant
Zanzibar doesn’t have a ton of attractions in the typical sense of the word, but The Rock Zanzibar might just be one of them! It is something that you’ve probably already seen on postcards as well!
This is a unique restaurant that is off the coast of Pingwe, located on an actual rock. Depending on the tides, you may have to wade out into the water to reach the restaurant. To get the full experience, the best time to go there is during the day for lunch. For dinner, it will usually be too dark to see all the surroundings (and it gets dark quite early – around 6 pm). The Rock Zanzibar prices are a bit higher than some other restaurants in the area because of how unique the dining experience is. Expect to pay at least USD 60 per person for a proper lunch
Note: Because of its popularity, the restaurant has pre-set seating times. You must book in advance and arrive to eat either at 12 pm or 2 pm (for lunch).
9. Visit the prison island
This island is off the coast of Stone Town and is also known as Changuu Island (don’t mix it up with Canggu in Bali!). Although Prison Island in Zanzibar seems like an intimidating name (and like it might not be a fun day trip!), it’s a bit of a misnomer. There never actually was a prison on the island. They used the island to house rebellious slaves in the 1860s and as a place to quarantine people with yellow fever. Nowadays, the island is a tourist destination because it is home to giant tortoises. It’s a peaceful sanctuary for this vulnerable species. Some people estimate some of the tortoises on the island are more than 150 years old! To get to Prison Island, you have to take a 25-minute boat ride from Stone Town.
10. Try snorkeling or diving in Zanzibar at one of the atolls
If you’re a fan of snorkeling or diving, there are some great places to do this in Zanzibar as well. Mnemba Atoll, located right off the northeast coast, is considered to be the best spot. You’ll see all sorts of colorful fish!
Note: Remember – you should have at least a 24-hour rest between your dive and your flight (for your safety!).
Tip: If you are into photography, you might want a waterproof camera or a GoPro to record everything you see around you!
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