Zanzibar is an island that lies off the coast of Tanzania. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in East Africa, due to its warm climate and exotic beauty. Zanzibar has a mixture of African, Arabic, and Indian influences, making it a fascinating destination for cultures seekers.
For those with an interest in marine life, there are plenty of opportunities to go diving or snorkeling. There are also many historic sites scattered throughout the island for those interested in history.
Diving and Snorkeling
For many of the tourists, this tends to be a major highlight of the holiday to Zanzibar. Scuba Diving and Snorkeling is an experience of its own. The coral reefs tour and then getting a feel of it is truly a remarkable memory. Fret not; the tours are also guided with the help of qualified instructors in case it is your first time adventuring the sport.
Stone Town
Situated in the center of the island, this is what marks the history of the island. The narrow alleys of the Stone Town are packed with local stores and food stalls, which are amazing to try while you can discover the history of the island. The Slave Trade sadly features in the history of this island as well as some of the magnificent mosques as well as local markets. Other highlights include House of Wonders, the Old Customs House, and the Arab Fort.
Spice Tours
For those fond of culture and history of the places, this also happens to be another attraction. This is a local spice plantation area outside Stone Town and generally aimed to give a different feel to your holiday other than relaxing at the beaches. You get to smell and taste some of the richest & natural spices and aromas like lemongrass, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla and many others. You also get a guide, who takes you around the huge area of the plantation and explains the significance of each spice and fruit and how they are cultivated.
Jozani Forest
The only Natural Park on the island is another interesting and alternative activity. The Red Colobus Monkeys are the Key attraction of the park and if you’re lucky than some might be willing to be playing with you. Beware of the food items you carry, as they tend to snatch and scratch hands!
The Jozani Forest is famous for its rich biodiversity, which attracts both researchers and tourists. The forest is home to more than 400 species of birds. It’s also home to the largest population of red colobus monkeys in Africa. It is a tropical forest near the island’s capital, Stone Town. It features a canopy walkway and a train that follows the old rail line that serviced the coconut plantations of old Zanzibar. The forest is also home to many different types of monkeys, bats and birds.
Seaweed Center
A visit to the seaweed center is a must if you’re looking for something to do in Zanzibar that isn’t beach hopping or strolling around Stone Town.
The Seaweed Center (currently known as Mwani Zanzibar) is a women’s project that employs local women to produce items from the abundant seaweed found around the island. Guests may either take a comprehensive tour to learn about the seaweed farmers’ daily activities or relax in the shop with a glass of seaweed fruit juice!
House Of Wonders
If you’re looking for things to do in Zanzibar, a trip to Stone Town is a must. The “Palace of Wonders,” as it is known, is the highest building in Stone Town and a major tourist attraction in Zanzibar. It is located near to the Old Fort and is a must-see attraction in Stone Town. It is also the location of East Africa’s first elevator. History aficionados may learn about Stone Town’s past and see historic displays and rooms here.
The name derives from the house’s first-generation modern utilities, such as plumbing and electricity, which were installed in Stone Town. However, it no longer possesses any of these wonders because it is undergoing renovations, and entry is not authorized at the time of writing.
Paje Beach
Paje Beach is the backpacker’s paradise on Zanzibar. One of the best spots to visit in Zanzibar is the beach, which offers fashionable cafés, burger establishments, kite surfing businesses, bars, and hostels. Relax for a few days in the tempting turquoise seas, which is ideal for people searching for free stuff to see in Zanzibar.
Kite surfing is the most popular activity in Paje for people searching for an active holiday in Zanzibar. There are a plethora of schools and rental companies eager to take you out on the water and teach you how to kitesurf.
If you’re not a novice, Paje offers exactly the proper amount of wind to let you improve your kitesurfing abilities during the course of your Zanzibar vacation. When you feel the wind and see the beautiful ocean, it’s simple to see why it’s rated one of the greatest sites in the world to go kite surfing.
Spice Island
One of the top five things to do in Zanzibar is to visit the “Spice Island,” which is known for its decades of clove, nutmeg, vanilla, and cinnamon production. The majority of these spice excursions leave from Stone Town and take you to a vast spice farm where you can see, touch, and taste Zanzibar’s numerous tastes.
Because it may be muddy, I recommend bringing good walking shoes. If you want to buy spices or tea to take home, make sure you carry additional cash. Come hungry since there will be a complete sampling at the end of the tour.
Safari Blue Cruise
Set up a great day at sea with the lads from Colors of Zanzibar. Normally, you leave early in the morning from Fumba, a fishing village. Because the crew specialized in private trips, you’ll have the entire dhow to yourself.
Visitors to this island may enjoy the nicest views of the azure ocean while snorkeling and eating fresh fruit in the cold morning air.
After that, you may continue snorkeling or visit a secret lagoon before dining on a seafood feast on Kwale Island. Massive baobabs, little stores, and more beach bliss can be found here.
However, don’t anticipate excellent snorkeling. Unfortunately, the region around the safari blue cruise has gotten so commercialized that the coral has been devastated. A dismal sight to behold, and a bit of a letdown for marine enthusiasts.
Prison Island
Prison Island is one of Zanzibar’s most popular tourist destinations. To go to the famed Prison Island, or Changuu Island to be precise, take a boat from Stone Town, which is about 5 kilometers away. This jail, which was built in the late 1800s, operated as an island for slaves, aggressive inmates, and quarantined people.
Seeing the neighboring turtle refuge is the highlight of a visit to Prison Island. The Seychelles are also home to some of the world’s largest tortoises, the Aldabross tortoises. Bring sunscreen with you for the boat rides and snorkeling.
Tea House Restaurant
Truth be told, eating at this restaurant is one of Zanzibar’s must-do activities. The Tea House Restaurant at Emerson on Hurumzi is a great place to go for a night out in Stone Town. The restaurant is positioned on the roof of a boutique hotel in the kasbah. It also provides one of the nicest views of Stone Town, which makes it my favorite Zanzibar activity.
For sundowners and supper, they become pretty busy, so we recommend making a reservation ahead of time. Before retiring to our lovely hotel, we spent the evening here sipping spicy cocktails, listening to live Zanzibari music, and feasting on delectable Persian-inspired food.
The Rock Restaurant
The Rock is often associated with Zanzibar, and it is frequently listed in every list of the greatest Zanzibar restaurants. The restaurant lies at Pongwe (the island’s southeast corner), and it may be reached by motorbike or taxi cab from Paje. A visit to The Rock is a necessity if you want to capture some beautiful images of the famed location. A complimentary boat taxi will transport you to the rock if you arrive during high tide (unless you feel like swimming).
If you wish to buy food or drinks, be aware that Zanzibar’s costs are exorbitant. It’s the price you pay to have dinner on the beach overlooking the Indian Ocean. It’s recommended to make arrangements ahead of time to guarantee that they can accommodate you. However if you don’t plan on eating here, simply visiting to view the unusual structure is one among the most enjoyable things to do in Zanzibar.
Zanzibar Coffee House
This Zanzibar Cafe is just next to Emerson Spice in the center of Stone Town, and it’s one of those must-see Zanzibar attractions. It’s a terrific place to have lunch and breakfast a few times, but nothing beats sitting down and documenting your Zanzibari life experience thus far.
The Zanzibar Coffee House roasts its own coffee and provides everything from cafe lattes to veggie chapati sandwiches. When you step into the café, you feel as if you’ve been transported back in time to an ancient Arabic coffee shop. This is a must-see even if you don’t drink coffee. If you want to do some shopping, stop by Upendo, which is located across the street.
Darajani Market
Darajani Market is the local market in Zanzibar Town. It’s a great place to get souvenirs from the island, as well as spices and other unusual things. You’ll find many of the same things that you find at any other market, including fresh food and clothes. It’s a busy market with lots of color.
You can find clothes, spices, hand crafts, and more at this market. It’s a great place to explore with many winding streets filled with locals selling their wares. In addition to the market, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes in Zanzibar, too. Even if you’re looking for something specific, there’s a good chance you’ll find it here.
Capoeira At Sunset
Many young local males will flock to the Stone Town public beach on beautiful days around sundown to enjoy the final light of the day with some acrobatics and capoeira. What exactly is capoeira? This is a Brazilian martial art that incorporates dance, acrobatics, and music into its routine. It’s a lot of fun to watch from the beach or any of the local eateries.
It’s not the most beautiful beach in Zanzibar, but it’s one of the greatest things to do in Zanzibar at sunset if you’re in Stone Town. Keep an eye out for enormous groups forming around some of the most skilled lads!
Kilindi Zanzibar
Kilindi Zanzibar is a rare find in the world of luxury boutique hotels, with a series of white-domed Pavilion guest rooms nestled amid 50 acres of beautiful tropical gardens. Kilindi, a real combination of the finest of many cultures found in Tanzania and its neighbouring island of Zanzibar, was originally constructed for Benny Andersson, one of the members of the 1970s pop group ABBA.
Kilindi achieves the ideal balance of Scandinavian simplicity and the dramatic architectural overtones of Middle Eastern history, all while maintaining an open, ‘back-to-nature’ feel. White wooden slatted shutters surround wide-arched glassless windows in each of the Pavilion suites, each offering stunning views of the Indian Ocean.
The same openness lets the soft seaside air to flow through the rooms, carrying the pleasant soundtrack of Kilindi’s colorful birds with it. Any stay in Kilindi will be a sensory overload.
Final Thoughts
Zanzibar is a beautiful place that’s worth exploring. It’s home to many different cultures, and one of the most interesting parts of this destination is the mix of East African and Arab influences. Besides food, you can explore historic sites like Stone Town, which is over 700 years old.
There are also plenty of outdoor activities to get involved in like snorkeling or scuba diving. In addition to enjoying the water, tourists also have access to picturesque villages and stunning historical sites.
