Zanzibar Travel Guide to Must-Sees: 25 Top Sights You Can’t Miss

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Is Zanzibar – the Spice Island – on your lifetime bucket list?

It was for me, and it did NOT disappoint. I had a blissful stay there during a 6 month trip, before leaving Tanzania on my way to Botswana. This guide come from my own experience – you can be sure that you won’t miss a thing!

It’s where I learned the fine art of lying on the beach and soaking up the sunshine. With an icy cold bottle of Kilimanjaro beer, of course. 

But as enjoyable it is to practice lying on the beach is, most of us can only lie do this for so long. Especially on an exotic island like this one. Here’s your guide to Zanzibar!

Your Zanzibar Travel Guide for 2024

Zanzibar is the main island of the Zanzibar Archipelago and is also known as Unguja. The next larger island is Pemba, just to the north.

Let’s start our journey with Stone Town and the stories told by its structures.

Stone Town is the beautiful historic section of the island’s capital of Zanzibar City. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It’s found on the west coast of Zanzibar Island, about 15 minutes north of the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport. Like a lot of historic urban centres along this part of East’s Africa coast, Stone Town is an eclectic blend of cultures.

Seeing them meld together is a part of what makes Zanzibar so magical.

1. Visit the Old Dispensary

The structure was build as a hospital, but never fulfilled its original purpose. Instead, the main floor became a dispensary and the upstairs was turned into apartments.

There’s also a little museum in the building that focuses on the history of Zanzibar.

2. Wander on to the Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)

Originally a Portuguese church in the courtyard. As Stone Twn’s oldest building, the Fort has been through many incarnations.

An amphitheatre was added in the 90s and it’s now the site of the Zanzibar International Film Festival each June. It’s also home to festivals, souvenir shops, and a cultural centre. It’s also located on the main seafront. This is a fun spot to spend some time.

3. The Palace Museum & the House of Wonders

Just down the road, still on the waterfront, is the Palace Museum. It’s comprised of several large buildings along the waterfront and was built on the site of an older palace. Next door is the House of Wonders.

The Palace served as the Sultan’s Palace until 1964, when it was renamed the People’s Palace. The House of Wonders was the first building to have electricity, as well as an elevator, in East Africa.

4. Visit Freddie Mercury’s Childhood Home

You may not realize it, but Freddie Mercury, the late frontman for the rock band Queen, spent part of his childhood in Zanzibar.

5. The East Africa Slave Trade Exhibition

The East Africa Slave Trade Exhibition at the Anglican church is a sobering memorial to an unforgivable time in history.

This memorial was constructed on the site of the area’s biggest slave market after it closed in 1873. It was the last acknowledged legal slave market to operate.

6. The Darajani Spice Market

While you’re in the Spice Islands, you won’t want to miss the Darajani Spice Market. This is one of my favourite parts of Stone Town.

Spices grown on and exported from Zanzibar are one of the mainstays of the island’s economy. Cloves are the principal spice grown on the “Spice Island” these days.

Around 5 pm, the inside traders pack up and a lively open-air market is set up just outside. Try to catch this as well, at least for a glimpse!

7. Jaw’s Corner

If you’d like to have coffee as the locals do, grab a cup at Jaw’s Corner. Jaw’s is a small square where the footpaths and the Vespa lanes intersect.

In the early mornings, you’ll find Zanzibari men gathered there to catch up with each other and discuss community events. Is that a euphemism for gossip? You decide.

Join them and feel like a local, with a cup of black Zanzibar coffee.The whisper of fresh ginger will add the flavour of the islands.

8. Visit The Iconic Rock Restaurant

In addition, there’s a well-known restaurant 10-15 minutes off Paje and Bwejuu Beaches called The Rock.

It has great food, but the draws are really the unique location and the views.

If you go at high tide, which I’d recommend, it will be completely surrounded by water. Someone from the restaurant will row to shore to get you. You can hire a taxi to get you that far.

If you’d like to try it, go to the website about 2 weeks before you leave home and make a reservation.

Find Your Favourite Beach!

It’s time to get your feet wet! I recommend staying on the beach, so you don’t have to waste time getting here in the morning.

There are over 25 Zanzibar beaches, and they each have a different vibe. Hopefully, you have enough time to explore a few.

** 🤿 If you’ll be doing any diving, remember to allow for the safety rest period of 24 hours between a dive in Zanzibar and your flight. Find more info on diving in Zanzibar in its own article.

The northern shore beaches tend to be the resort beaches.  You’ve also got a view to the west, so the sunsets are spectacular.

The diving and snorkelling around Zanzibar are world-class.

Here’s a quick Zanzibar travel guide to the best of them:

9. Nungwi:

• On the northern tip of the island. Nungwi Beach is lined with hotels and hostels, with lots of people and activities.

10. Kendwa Beach:

• On the northwest side, is geared a little more those backpacking Zanzibar. You can also find luxury resorts here. It’s a bit quieter than Nungwi, with fewer people.

• Kendwa Rocks Beach Hotel is the place to be if you love a beach party, especially if there’s a full moon coming up!

11. Matemwe:

• South of Nungwi, a lovely, long Zanzibar beach lined by some of the most beautiful beach resorts in Zanzibar. It’s the place to come if you want a peaceful and relaxing day at the beach.

• Part of the Matemwe experience is a trip out to the Mnemba Atoll conservation area. The Atoll is about 2 km offshore and has world-class diving and snorkelling on the reefs.

* On March 10, 2024, in a tragic incident on Mnemba Island, several individuals lost their lives after consuming turtle meat. This event underscores the potential dangers of eating wildlife, as turtle meat can contain toxins harmful to humans. The incident has raised awareness about food safety and the importance of understanding the risks associated with consuming certain types of wildlife, prompting discussions on conservation and health precautions to prevent future tragedies.

12. Bwejuu Beach:

• If you’re looking for some quiet, privacy, and maybe a sail on a dhow, then Bwejuu Beach is one of Zanzibar’s best beaches for you.

13. Paje and Jambiani: 

• Similar southern beaches on the southeast shore, quiet and tide-dependent. The reefs offshore host beautiful marine life, and the winds make for great kitesurfing, especially at Paje.

• At low tide you’ll see women harvesting seaweed in the shallows. The seaweed is exported for use in cosmetics and for food.

See the Wild Side of Zanzibar

The areas worth seeing are closest to Bwejuu and Paji Beaches. Any or all of them are a great day trip.

You can reach them by taxi or dala dala. They’re about 1 hour from Stone Town, but only 30 minutes or so from Bwejuu and Paje.

Do NOT forget the insect repellent that you brought from home, with the high percentage of DEET. Trust me.

14. Jozani Natural Forest Reserve

The Jozani Natural Forest Reserve is the home of the Zanzibar Red Colobus Monkey. The colobus is one of the rarest primates in Africa, and is endemic to Zanzibar.

You could also see tree hyrax, chameleons, geckos, and a variety of species of birds and butterflies.

15. Zanzibar Butterfly Centre

The centre is a small community-run enterprise, and the entry fee goes back into their efforts.

It’s really a fantastic experience, and you’ll learn a lot about butterflies and their lifecycle. You’ll also be introduced to the centre’s chameleons, which happen to be a favourite of mine.

16. Jozani Sea Turtle Sanctuary

Also nearby is the Jozani Sea Turtle Sanctuary. This is another tourist attraction, along with Prison Island, that I’m hesitant to recommend.

Especially if you’ve seen these creatures in the wild, it’s a sad thing to see them kept in small concrete ponds and enclosures.

I feel like this is a better place to see giant tortoises, though.

25. Take a Sunset Dhow Cruise

There is no more spectacular way to enjoy a sunset on Zanzibar than on a Dhow cruise. This is another favourite thing to do in Zanzibar.

You can find cruises at most of the beaches, as well as in Stone Town. They vary in what they include and may offer live music, snacks, and soft drinks.

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Zanzibar Maps

Summing It Up: Zanzibar Travel Guide for 2024

Zanzibar is the perfect spot to reminisce over your safari, rest up from a trek up Kilimanjaro, or just have an amazing vacation. It’s a place I think everyone should visit at least once. No matter how long you get to stay, it won’t be long enough.

In just four days, you can immerse yourself in the unique culture of the island and take part in all of Zanzibar’s activities. Try snorkelling, scuba diving, kitesurfing and sightseeing tours.

With its stunning beaches, fascinating history and island wildlife, Zanzibar is truly a magical destination. It will leave you with wonderful memories for years to come.

Leave the rest of the world left behind and enjoy!

Happy travels!

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