Zanzibar’s Top 3 Exciting Places You Need to Explore!
Oh, Zanzibar - you had me at "Jambo"! If you find yourself in Tanzania, make sure to add Zanzibar to your travel list! With some of the most spectacular beaches on the East African coast and an exciting cultural mix, it surely is worth the journey!
Situated just off the coast of Tanzania, Zanzibar has everything an island paradise needs! Water so blue it nearly hurts the eyes, white sandy beaches, tropical climate and an exotic cultural melting pot! What more do you need from a travel destination?
If you want to take it slow, you have come to the right place. There is no rush with anything here! You easily fall into the “Hakuna Matata” – no worries – lifestyle! Since Zanzibar is not too big, it’s easy to split your time between a few places on the island to experience the different facets Zanzibar has to offer. Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar, is a must-visit! Spend a few nights here, soak in the Arabic atmosphere and get lost in the small alleyways! The fascinating and multi-cultural history is tangible at every corner in Stone Town, inviting you to explore more. Enjoy the stunning beaches and the warm Indian Ocean in the North or the South East of the island. In between, you have endless palm groves and a thick jungle speckled with small villages along the roads.
Let's explore the island together and hit up some of the must-visit places. But first things first - let's get an overview of the most important facts about Zanzibar
About Zanzibar
Zanzibar is actually not just one island, but a whole semi-autonomous archipelago just off the coast of Tanzania. From Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s biggest port city, it’s just a quick 1.5-hour ferry ride to reach the island. Approximately 90 km long and 40 km wide, nothing is too far and it’s easy to explore. Around 1.7 million people are living in the archipelago, with the majority of the locals living below the poverty line! Yet, accommodation and restaurants are comparatively expensive due to higher taxes and import fees for the island. You can pay in USD or in Tanzanian Shillings (TZS). Most hotels and restaurants offer free wifi, the speed and reliability of the internet connection can vary though! But hey, you are not here to sit on your phone, right?!
History - In A Nutshell!
Zanzibar has a wild and interesting history, moulded by different ruling powers and cultures that occupied the island over the centuries. From Arab sultans to the Portuguese and the British, Zanzibar has seen many rulers and taken up elements from different cultures. For a good few centuries, the slave trade was the biggest economy on the island. Slaves from all corners of Africa were traded here to other African countries as well as to parts of the Middle East and Europe. Looking at the population in Zanzibar today you still see many different ethnicities and backgrounds. In 1876 the British put pressure on Sultan Said, the Omani ruler of Zanzibar at the time, to abolish slavery. Even though officially abolished, slavery remained legal in Zanzibar until 1897.
What Is So Special About The Island?
The Arabic influence has stayed the strongest on the island with Islam being the dominant religion here. Walking through the streets of Stone Town you feel transported into a different world! Beautiful, exotic-looking Arabic buildings and strong stone fortresses give the town its distinctive look. It is such an interesting melting pot of cultures and ethnicities, it is truly unique!
Zanzibar’s biggest economies today are agriculture, tourism and the spice trade. Meanwhile, slavery, thank goodness, didn’t survive the centuries, the spice trade is still going strong. This is why Zanzibar also adopted the name “Spice Island”. Thanks to its tropical climate, an abundance of spices are grown on the island and sold to traders from all around the world. If you travel to Zanzibar, visit one of the many plantations to learn more about the different spices. It’s fascinating to see the actual plants, how they grow and learn about their healing powers and functions!
Best Places To Discover In Zanzibar
There are three parts of the island I would like to introduce you to! The capital Stone Town, Nungwi in the North and Paje in the South East! Each of them is quite different but equally beautiful in its own way. Let’s have a look at where to stay, where to eat and what to do!
Nungwi
Situated in the North of the Island, Nungwi is probably the biggest tourist hub in Zanzibar. The reason for its popularity is the stunning beaches! The water is so turquoise and blue, it honestly seems too beautiful for the brain to comprehend. Most of the tourist life is situated along the beach – restaurants, hotels, activity operators and even little shops here and there. If you venture inland a few hundred meters on the dusty roads, you will hit a little village centre with souvenir shops, small supermarkets, fruit vendors and some more local restaurants. It is less picturesque than the beachfront area but it is a bit cheaper.
Why Maasai?
Visiting Nungwi beach you will see many Maasai men walking up and down the beach in their traditional red robes, daggers, jewellery and sandals! Given that the Maasai actually live in Northern Tanzania far away from the sea, you might ask yourself what they are doing here?! Obviously, tourism has attracted many Maasai to come to Zanzibar to earn money. Most are indeed Maasai from mainland Tanzania, others just adopted the outfit to work the tourists. Some of them are employed by the resorts as security guards, some try to sell day trips to the tourists and some are involved in sex tourism, wooing preferably older Western female tourists. Either way – it is quite a sight to be seen and part of the beaches of Zanzibar.
Where To Stay In Nungwi?
With its natural beauty, Nungwi has attracted many tourists over the years. This also means the tourism infrastructure is strong here. There are many hotels, hostels and guest houses for all budgets and preferences. We have stayed in two places here, which I both enjoyed and would like to introduce you to!
On A Budget!
If you are travelling on a budget – as we did in 2021 – I can highly recommend Makofi Guest House! It’s a vibey, beautiful backpacker accommodation with delicious food, great staff and just a good atmosphere. The location is an easy 2-minute walk to the main beach area. We stayed here for 6 nights in a private room with a fan and shared bathroom. Perfect!
Breakfast is included in the room rate and it is delicious. They mix it up every morning with amazing fresh fruit, rotis, pancakes or waffles plus you can choose an egg dish. If you don’t feel like going out they also offer lunch and dinner with some delectable local and international dishes.
For the digital nomads, Makofi offers a dedicated upstairs area where you have space to work and plug points to charge your devices! It is the perfect place for long stays. I would stay here any day again, it’s a lovely place.
For The High Rollers!
One of the most popular hotels with a prime beachfront location is The Z Hotel! Apart from the beautiful rooms, it comes complete with a swimming pool as well as a fabulous three-story restaurant area, overlooking the beach and the sea! It is classy and chic without feeling too fancy! The rooms are lovely, all with aircon and a balcony from where you have the best sunset views.
The food in the restaurants is delicious! The prices for light meals and drinks are very reasonable and the views are amazing. For sundowners, their rooftop terrace is the best place to be for sunset on Nungwi beach. Get there in time though as it is obviously extremely popular. We stayed here back in 2017 for our honeymoon and it was worth every penny. A beautiful place!
Where to Eat?
In general, we ate ourselves silly on fresh grilled fish and chips in Zanzibar. So fresh and delicious, it would be a sin not to!
As mentioned the restaurants of The Z Hotel are very good. Try out Cinnamon cafe bar for lunch, for sundowners try Rooftops and if you want to treat yourself have dinner at Sexy Fish by the beach. Splash out and live a little!
The Marhaba Restaurant at the Langi Langi Beach Bungalows was another great Zanzibari dinner. Just a stone-throw away from The Z Hotel, Marhaba Restaurant offers amazing food while you are overlooking the sea from a beautiful wooden deck! We had once again delicious fish and a couple of frosty beers – what more do you want?
If you need a break from all the fish and chips, try Mama Mia! Owned by two true Italians, their pizza is amazing! They also serve fantastic, fancy cocktails – perfect if you want to escape the traditional cuisine! The restaurant offers beautiful views and a lively atmosphere! I would definitely recommend this place!
One night we veered off from the beach area and went ‘inland’ to the village and ate at M&J Cafe! To our surprise, the place was packed and we were lucky to get a table! Next to delicious local and Western food they also serve fresh juices and smoothies! If you are around, give them a try! It’s a lovely place! As a Muslim restaurant they don’t serve alcohol, but they allow you to bring your own!
Last but not least – our go-to Happy Hour place for sunsets was Mangi’s Beach Bar & Restaurant! Good happy hour prices for their beers and great views of the beach! The best place for people-watching and stunning sunsets! I can’t speak for the food since we didn’t eat here, but it looked pretty good!
What To Do?
I guess it’s all about the water here! If you had enough swimming and beach fun, check with your hotel which tours and operators they would recommend. The options for activities are endless! Snorkelling trips, scuba diving, horse riding, island day trips, sunset cruises – the list goes on and on! It really depends on what you are interested in.
Back in 2017, we went on a half-day snorkelling trip to Pemba island – a great experience! We went with Divine Diving Zanzibar, but surely other operators offer similarly great experiences. A sunset cruise is always a great idea and there are plenty to choose from – be it a dhow or a catamaran is really up to your personal preference!
Conclusions About Nungwi
I had an amazing time in Nungwi and I would always go again. It is a beautiful place, the perfect island getaway, no doubt! Be prepared though that you won’t be the only tourist around. It can get pretty crowded at the beach, especially during high tide when the available space becomes less. The tourist infrastructure is well set up and you can get everything you need. It does feel a bit staged at times though. In a bid to stay at least reasonably fit we did an early morning walk through the backstreets of Nungwi and saw where the locals live. The divide between the beautiful beachfront bungalows and the reality of the local living conditions become painfully clear! Even with the income from tourism, there is a lot of poverty.
Nevertheless, I would always put Nungwi down as a must-visit when in Zanzibar. It definitely deserves at least a couple of days of your time!
Paje
What a delightful surprise Paje was! Having been in Nungwi and Stone Town before, Paje was a new discovery. I loved it! Situated in the South East of the island, this little town has plenty of character and is the most popular spot for kitesurfing! Who would have thought?!
Paje felt more like a proper small town where locals live their normal lives. Obviously, you’ll find beautiful beachfront hotels here and all needed tourist facilities, but you feel closer to the locals than in Nungwi. Alongside Paje’s main road is where the community’s daily life happens! Buy fruit or samoosas from the local shops, get your chicken skewers from the little food stalls or buy new tyres at the auto repair workshop. It felt like Paje had a bit more authentic hustle going on!
Beach Surprises
We clearly didn’t do our homework before coming here, because going to the beach for the first time turned out to be full of surprises! First of all – we couldn’t see the sea! It was low tide and the water goes out so far on this side of the island, you can barely see it in the distance. The second surprise was the kitesurfers! On the thin layer of seawater left were hundreds of kitesurfers – with ranging skillsets – flying across the plains! What an amazing sight! We arranged ourselves in one of the ‘puddles’ of seawater left during low tide and lived our best lives! It’s like relaxing in a bathtub with the most amazing views!
If you are looking to learn how to kitesurf you just walk along the beach and pick one of the many schools situated here!
What was most refreshing was that you could see that locals used the beach just as much as tourists! Especially on a Sunday, you see families, groups of women, kids, local soccer teams – even groups of cows!!! – coming down to the beach having a great time. Anyway, I digress! Let’s have a look at where to stay!
Where To Stay in Paje?
We only stayed in Paje for three nights therefore I didn’t get the chance to try different places. Doing some research we went to some places for a drink and a look around. I would definitely love to stay in some of the below next time. Let’s have a look!
On A Budget!
For our time in Paje, we chose a cheap and cheerful accommodation – the Take it Easy Apartments & Rooms. Situated right at the main road at the Northern end of town, this clean, no-frills accommodation was exactly what we needed. The room was simple but nice with an ensuite bathroom. As the name says it is really more like communal living here. You have a shared kitchen, where you can prepare all your meals and the rooftop terrace is like a communal lounge room, where you meet your fellow dwellers. The internet connection was good, especially on the roof terrace, probably another reason why it was mostly digital nomads staying here. It is a very relaxed, backpacker-ish kinda atmosphere. For us, it was perfect for what we needed, but if you come here on a proper holiday, I would possibly look at a different place.
Summer Beach came highly recommended by one of our fellow dwellers in Paje! This rather rustic, but beautiful beachfront property is similar to Makofi in Nungwi, offering all sorts of accommodation from dorm rooms to private rooms with shared or en-suite bathrooms! It looks really beautiful, is not too expensive and the food in the restaurant is great! They also have a fabulous happy hour – beach views included! A stunning place, I would definitely like to stay here sometime!
For The High Rollers!
Another place that came highly recommended is The Waterfront Zanzibar Beach Hotel! What a beautiful place this is, with the Mr Kahawa restaurant in front, beautifully decorated rooms in the back and a pool hidden away from the beach! With only 18 rooms it’s small and intimate, the perfect little hideaway! If we would have travelled on a higher budget, this would be my place of choice! Apart from the outstanding accommodation, you can also learn how to kitesurf in the surf school right next to the hotel.
Where To Eat?
As mentioned the restaurant at Summer Beach is really good, situated at the beachfront and well-priced! If you are looking for a good meal in nice surroundings – Summer Beach it is!
One place I absolutely loved and where we ate multiple times is Sativa Café! It is a small little vegetarian place, pretty funky and new, situated right at the main road. I am very far from being vegetarian, but holy cow, do they make tasty food! So fresh and delicious, I would mark this one as a Must-Eat place in Paje!
My other favourite place just a few doors down from Sativa Café was Seafood Paje! A proper local place with – you guessed it – great seafood! It is very small, but they serve some tasty seafood and have some of the friendliest staff in Paje! They don’t serve alcohol, but you can bring your own. Give it a try if you are in town.
Again situated right at the main road, we dined one evening at the Rooftop Restaurant! Here you have some great views over the road to see the hustle and bustle unfolding below. While the food was really good, the service was only ok, to be honest. Still a good place to spend a relaxed evening.
What to do?
Not to state the obvious, but if you stay in Paje, you should give kitesurfing a try! It is definitely the number one activity here! As mentioned you can pick one of the many kitesurfing schools along the beach – the choice is all yours!
It also seemed very popular to rent a scooter here. You see them zipping up and down the long flat beach – a great way to explore the coastline North and South of Paje independently! We didn’t rent a scooter, but one of our long-stay friends at the Take it Easy place went on a stunning scooter trip down to the Southern tip of the island. If you have a bit of time, this would be a great way to explore the island on your own terms!
Another activity that is best done from Paje is visiting the Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, Zanzibar’s only national park! It’s about 14 kilometres to get to Jozani, therefore it’s the best base for visiting the forest! The biggest attraction here is the red colobus monkey, who is endemic to Zanzibar! The forest is made out of Mangroves and an important breeding ground for many fish species and other sea creatures. It is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.
Another must-visit when you are in the area is the famous The Rock Restaurant – a restaurant literally located on a rock in the sea! This is a once in a lifetime dining experience so go and splash out! From the terrace, you have some amazing views over the coast! The restaurant offers transfers from your hotel and back or you make the most of your experience and stay in a place close by.
Conclusions On Paje!
Our stay in Paje was a true revelation of what else Zanzibar has to offer! I loved the relaxed local vibe and enjoyed every minute of our stay. It felt a lot more real, less touristy than Zanzibars popular North. I would love to return and spend more time exploring more along the coast North and South of Paje. No matter if you are interested in kitesurfing or not, Paje is definitely worth a visit!
Stone Town
Stone Town is the old part of Zanzibar City and such a magical place! In 2000 Stone Town has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old town exudes an exoticness and tangible history like no other place. It has an atmosphere that is utterly unique with Arab, Persian, Indian and European elements! The old imposing fortress that still shields the old town from the sea and the little alleyways make you feel like wandering through yesteryear!
The best way to discover the old town is by getting lost in the maze of alleyways. If you haven’t gotten lost here, you haven’t been to Stone Town! Admire the stunning intricately carved wooden doors or visit the Freddy Mercury museum, set up in the singer’s honour as Zanzibar is his birthplace! Try the grilled seafood from the vendors at Forodhani Gardens or just wander the streets of this amazing place and take in the atmosphere!
I absolutely love Stone Town and would definitely recommend spending a few nights here! There also beaches where you can swim just right next to the city centre! Make sure that you have enough time here because there is a lot to explore.
Where To Stay?
Stone Town has hotels at every corner! The international chains often have beautiful palatial hotels right at the water’s edge, but you can find all sorts of accommodation throughout the city! We stayed overall in three different places and only had good experiences!
On A Budget!
This time around we stayed at Antonio Garden Hotel in the middle of the alleyway maze! Such a beautiful and welcoming place with great value for money! The rooms were nice, with a little kitchenette and a balcony. They have a lovely garden area with a pool and the breakfast buffet offers everything needed. We stayed here for 5 nights and had a fabulous time. The staff is very friendly and helpful, which made us feel right at home. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to spend our time in Stone Town. Just be aware when you arrive that cars won’t be able to drive right in front of the hotel. The alley is simply too narrow. Therefore be prepared to find your way on foot for the last couple of hundred metres!
For The High Rollers!
A few years back for our honeymoon we stayed at the Maru Maru Hotel, located in the prime spot of the old town! It’s a beautiful hotel with stunning rooms, a lovely rooftop terrace with a pool and a restaurant. It has a great location right next to the fort, Forodhani Gardens and the promenade. Everything is pretty close by in the old town, to be honest, but the Maru Maru has everything interesting on its doorstep! It’s a great hotel if you want to treat yourself!
Just a few doors down from the Freddy Mercury museum you’ll find the Dhow Palace. Until 1993 the hotel used to be the mansion of a wealthy merchant, Sheikh bin Mujbia. Once the mansion was sold it was turned into the Dhow Palace hotel. In the open courtyard of the hotel, you’ll find the swimming pool in the centre and the hotel restaurant around it. The rooms are beautifully exotic with quite quirky bathrooms. We had a great time here and would definitely stay here again!
Where To Eat?
Oh my! Where to begin?
The place we spend by far the most time during our recent stay in Stone Town was the Traveller’s Cafe! A beautiful small and relaxed cafe bar with a wooden deck overlooking the public beach! We came here religiously for the 5 – 7 pm Happy Hour beers, sitting on the shady terrace watching the dhow boats coming home for the evening. They offer delicious pizzas with a tasty little chilly sauce on the side! All of this comes with the best sunset views in town! Honestly, it’s the best place to spend a lazy afternoon in Stone Town!
If it’s your first time in Stone Town do treat yourself one night for a dining experience at Emerson Spice! This historical hotel has two restaurants worth visiting. The Tea House restaurant offers a set 5-course dinner on the rooftop terrace overlooking the old town. This is a once in a lifetime experience! Bookings can easily be made online on their website or if you are already in town, pop in and make sure you book a table. If you cannot get a booking, check out their sister hotel Emerson on Hurumzi, which offers the same fantastic rooftop dining experience! The second restaurant at the Emerson Spice is the Secret Garden Restaurant, hidden in the lush gardens at the back of the hotel. This a la carte restaurant is truly unique and equally worth a visit!
A great surprise was the Stone Town Café! We had a lovely lunch here with amazing seafood and very friendly staff! Again just a few doors down from the Freddy Mercury museum this little outdoor cafe was a true find. The atmosphere was lively and we had some of the best fish in Zanzibar. Do yourself a favour and stop here for a break while exploring the town!
For a great coffee come to the Puzzle Coffee Shop. Hidden in a little alley, this café is 100% focused on coffee and homemade pastries! The design is very modern, funky and a must-visit for every true coffee aficionado! The seating is all indoors – a paradise for digital nomads with a soft side for coffee!
What To Do?
One thing you have to visit in Stone Town is the Old Slave Market / Anglican Cathedral! It’s a museum in the building of the Anglican Church recounting the history of slavery in Zanzibar. Entering the building you will be guided to the old slave dungeons situated below the church. The slaves were kept here until sold to their new owners. Walking around the musty dungeons with their low ceilings is a spine chilling experience, imagining what the slaves must have gone through back in the day. It also not only explains the history of slavery but also gives insights into slavery today. Unfortunately, slavery is by far not eradicated but is still well and alive. This is probably one of the most touching museums I have ever been to.
Obviously, check out the Freddy Mercury Museum when in Stone Town! Fan or not, Freddy Mercury is Zanzibars biggest claim to fame, so why not have a look at the museum! It’s right in the city centre and can’t be missed!
Then there are obviously the landmarks around town that can easily be visited on foot at your own pace. The best-known landmark in Stone Town is the House of Wonders, now a museum for Swahili and Zanzibari culture! Adjacent to the House of Wonders you have the Old Fort, built by the Omani rulers to protect the city against European invaders. The Old Dispensary is another beautiful landmark, initially built by a wealthy Indian trader as a hospital for the poor, later turned into a dispensary! Amongst the decidedly Arabic and Persian influences, you will find the Catholic St. Josephs Church and of course the Anglican Cathedral – a manifesto to the diversity of Stone Town! Make sure that you walk along the beachfront promenade around Forodhani Gardens. Get yourself a coffee or snack and watch the busy harbour area go about its daily life!
One last thing to mention would be the Spice Tours! You can book them anywhere so it’s an easy half-day excursion from Stone Town. If you have done one you surely don’t need to do a second one. However, it’s one of the unique attractions in Zanzibar and spending a few hours on a spice plantation is very interesting! You learn about the plants, how to best use them and the general spice trade in Zanzibar. If you are a first-timer in Zanzibar – go for it!
As you see, Zanzibar is a great place with so much to discover and explore. Everyone has their own take on it, but hopefully, you got a little insight on some of the highlights the island has to offer.
Thanks so much for joining us on our tour around Zanzibar. I hope you had a good time and got some helpful information. Follow us next time again when we have the best 24 hours in Dar es Salaam!
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