Zanzibar

Hit the beach

Pristine white sand, clear, blue-green waters and dazzling sunsets: Zanzibar’s beaches really deliver the goods. With so many beaches around the island, you’re spoilt for choice. When it comes to the hot-spots, you can’t miss the northern beaches of Nungwi and Kendwa. If your visit falls on the full moon, you’re in luck: this is where you should go to hit the full moon parties, where you’ll dance to African beats until the early hours of the morning. If you’re keen to go kite surfing, head to Paje and Jambiani on the east side of the island for some epic times on the water.

Stroll through the Darajani Market

Bursting with colours, flavours and amazing aromas, a visit to Darajani Market is a feast for the senses. Located just outside the narrow lanes of Stone Town, this lively market is the place to shop on the island. Vendors gather here from all over the island to sell and trade their goods. From giant stalks of plantains, stacks of cassava, and spices like cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, and cloves, foodies will love exploring the vast variety of tropical foods. If you’re lucky, you might even catch the fish auction where you can spot the occasional sailfish and whole tuna.

Visit the Old Fort

One of the biggest and most impressive buildings on the island, the Old Fort was built by the Omanis in 1699. Located right across from the Forodhani Gardens in central Stone Town, these old ruins are an important part of the history of Zanzibar. After expelling the Portuguese from the island in the 17th century, this Arab fort served as a garrison and a prison. Nowadays, following the inclusion of an amphitheatre on its grounds, the Old Fort used for events like the Zanzibar International Film Festival. Check out this interesting architectural site to soak up the history of Zanzibar.

Discover the House of Wonders

The largest and tallest building in Zanzibar, the House of Wonders dominates the central oceanfront of the island. One of the most recognizable structures in Stone Town, this former palace was built in 1883 by the second Sultan of Zanzibar, Barghash bin Said. What’s so wonderful about it, you ask? It was the first building on the island to get electricity. What was once intended to become a government building, the House of Wonders is now one of the most important museums on the island. With an impressive historical collection, including a huge mtepe boat – an icon of the Swahili culture – take some time to discover the magic of the House of Wonders.

Learn about the slave trade

Although today it's known as an island paradise, Zanzibar has a dark history. For many centuries, it was the centre of the vast African slave trade. Zanzibar was one of the largest slave ports in the vast Indian Ocean slave trade, which was dominated by Arab slave traders. Slaves from all across the African continent where taken to Bagamoyo, on the Tanzanian coast, before they were shipped to the Slave Markets in Stone Town. There are many reminders of Zanzibar's dark history in the slave trade around Stone Town and across the island. The market where slaves were confined in dark, underground chambers before being sold still contains the chains used on the slaves. A moving memorial now stands where the market once was, reminding visitors and locals alike of the atrocities that were committed on that very spot, centuries ago.

The Zanzibar Beach and Water Sports Festival

Sports

The Zanzibar Beach & Water Sports Festival is a celebration of beach life, culture & music, held over three massive days in Jambiani, Zanzibar. Featuring live music, yoga and dance workshops, a cocktail-making competition and lots of Tanzanian food, this October festival is one of the best on the island.

Jahazi Literary & Jazz Festival

Music

Held over one big weekend in early September, the Jahazi Literary & Jazz Festival is one of the biggest events on Zanzibar’s calendar. With open-air jazz concerts, poetry readings and cultural walks and talks, this seriously-cool cultural event is not to be missed!

Eid al-Fitr

Culture

One of the most important religious festivals in Tanzania, Eid al-Fitr is the Muslim holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Following a month-long fast, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr by feasting with family and friends and performing acts of charity for the poor. The Eid festival occurs every year according to the lunar calendar, usually around June.

Diwali

Culture

Diwali, also called Deepavali, is the Hindu Festival of Lights. Celebrated by Tanzania’s Indian community, Diwali falls between the months of September and November each year. The five-day festival sees many locals decorate their homes with lights, exchange gifts and sweets with loved ones. Be blown away seeing Zanzibar lit up for Diwali!

Unification Day

Culture

On 26 April 1964, the Zanzibar islands joined Tanganyika – the former name of the Tanzanian mainland – to become the Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Later renamed to become the Republic of Tanzania, Zanzibar celebrates Unification Day with food, street parades and parties.

Palace Museum (Beit al-Sahel)

Also known as the Sultan’s Palace, this Stone Town museum is the three-story mansion built for the Omani Sultan Seyyid Said in the 19th century. Get a taste of the royal life by walking through their former home and admiring artworks, original furniture and decor, as well as other historical artefacts.

Hurumzi Henna Art Gallery

Inspired by the Indian and Middle Eastern tradition of adorning women’s hands and feet in henna for weddings and festivals, the women of Hurumzi Henna Art Gallery transform traditional henna tattooing into paintings and prints. Admire their beautiful work and get henna done on your hands at the same time.

Princess Salme Museum at Emerson on Hurumzi

Carefully curated by the renowned historian Said al Gheithy, the Princess Salme Museum tells the story of Princess Salme, a sultan's daughter who eloped with a German merchant. Famous for her book Memoirs of an Arabian Princess from Zanzibar, walk through photograph and textile displays that tell the story of her life.

Hellen Art Gallery

Located in the heart of Stone Town, the Hellen Art Gallery is a commercial art gallery that focuses on original African artworks and products. With a variety of colourful paintings displaying the natural beauty of Zanzibar, the Tanzanian Maasai culture and the architecture of Stone Town, art lovers will love checking out this quaint gallery.

Peace Memorial Museum (Beit el-Amani)

Housed in a white domed building, the Peace Memorial Museum is a Tanzanian history museum. Built to commemorate the end of the First World War, the museum’s collection tells the story of early trade, slavery and migration, the Royal Family and religion in Tanzania.

Zanzibar Pizza

Mishkaki

Mchuzi Wa Pweza

Pilaf