Stone Town—the old part of Zanzibar Town, the capital of the island of Zanzibar—is a maze of streets with local shops and tiny squares where locals meet for afternoon coffee. It features great, albeit quite run-down, houses built from coral during Arabic and colonial times. This multicultural town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its intricately decorated doors, former slave market, and the birthplace of Freddie Mercury. 

In the evening, it’s worth visiting the Forodhani Gardens, which at sunset are filled with stalls offering local specialties. We recommend trying freshly squeezed sugarcane juice with ginger and lime and Zanzibar pizza, which has nothing to do with pizza but nonetheless is delicious.

During your stay in Zanzibar, it’s hard to miss a visit to one of the spice farms, for which the island was once world-famous. During our visit to a farm, you will have the opportunity to see sun-ripening coffee beans, grains of pepper, cardamom, touch fresh cinnamon bark, reach nutmeg fruit branches, or taste delicious fruits like lychee, durian, or breadfruit. But most importantly, you will be enchanted by the variety of aromas from the farm. The Spice Tour is an interesting experience that stimulates the senses and imagination. It’s also an opportunity to try freshly picked coconut. The price includes a snack consisting of seasonal fruits, one of the sources of Zanzibar’s wealth. The trip will also provide a great chance to purchase fresh spices.

Prison Island is about a 20-minute boat ride from Stone Town. Its name originated in the 19th century when the prison facility was built there. However, the facility never actually became a prison. Later, the building was converted into a hospital and a quarantine facility. Today, nothing but the walls remain, and this place is best known for the Aldabra tortoises brought here from Seychelles at the beginning of the 20th century. At present, the tortoises are the island’s biggest attraction. They can weigh up to 400 kg and live up to 250 years. Incredible coral reefs can also be found in the island’s vicinity, making it perfect for diving, swimming, and sunbathing.

Nungwi is a fishing village located in the north of Zanzibar, from where both the eastern and western parts of the island can be seen at the same time. The village is known for traditional dhow boat making.

We recommend visiting Mnarani Aquarium—a place created to protect sea turtles (green turtles and hawksbill). These species, once popular in Zanzibar, are now endangered. Turtles caught in nets or wounded are brought to Mnarani, where they are fed, treated, and then released back into the ocean once a year. During your visit, you will be able to see, feed, and swim with them, as well as learn more about marine life in the Indian Ocean.

The most famous diving and snorkeling spot in Zanzibar is the underwater nature reserve around Mnemba Island, opposite Muyuni Beach. This is a wonderful atoll where beautiful coral reefs, shoals of colorful fish, sea snails, and turtles thrive in a genuine underwater aquarium. To witness this amazing magical world, all you need to do is put on a mask and dive your head into the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean. Snorkeling here is a great adventure and an opportunity to swim with fish shoals. This spot is also popular with dolphins—there is a good chance you will be able to swim with them too.

Beach lovers will enjoy the so-called Sandbank—a sandy island that emerges from the ocean when the tide is low. White sand and azure waters surrounding the island offer an ideal scenery for taking photos.

The appearance of the island depends on the size of the tide—sometimes it will be a very large sandy beach, and sometimes a shoal with beautiful turquoise water.