14 Unmissable Places to See in Zanzibar, Tanzania
Are you planning a trip to Zanzibar but don’t know where to go?
Don’t worry – I’ve got you covered!
In this blog post, I’ll guide you through the best and most beautiful places to see in Zanzibar, from the dazzling white-sand beaches of Nungwi to the historic charm of Stone Town.
Explore the vibrant spice farms, dive into the crystal-clear waters of Mnemba Atoll, and soak in the breathtaking sunsets at Michamvi Kae.
Zanzibar is a treasure trove of unique experiences, whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion.
With so many incredible spots across the island, I recommend taking a round trip. It’s the perfect way to experience the full diversity of this magical island.
But before you start planning your detailed itinerary, let’s explore the must-see places in Zanzibar that you absolutely shouldn’t miss!
(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking.)
1. Stone Town
Get lost in the narrow streets of Stone Town (or better not – I suggest you join a guided tour when you visit for the first time 🙂) and soak in the vibrant vibes of many different cultures.
Being the old part of Zanzibar city, the capital of Zanzibar, you can feel the mix of Swahili, Indian, Arabic, and European influences. Beautiful wooden doors will catch your eye as you stroll through the city and you won’t get bored, as there are many things to do in Stone Town.
One of the most famous spots is Darajani Market, where you can stock up on delicious spices, handmade soaps, and locally sourced coffee. Moreover, make sure to explore the Old Fort and visit the historic site of the old slave market, now home to the Anglican Cathedral.
Did you know that Freddie Mercury was born in Zanzibar? You can visit his birthplace, now a museum, and learn all about this legendary musician.
For lunch, head to the popular Lukmaan Restaurant, where you can savor authentic Swahili dishes at an affordable price. In the evening, don’t miss the mouthwatering street food at Forodhani Park, a must-visit for food lovers.
Stone Town also serves as a great base for day trips and tours. For example, you can join a combined tour to Prison Island and the stunning Nakupenda sandbank, or explore Chumbe Island.
Another must-do is a visit to one of the many spice farms surrounding the city, where you can learn about Zanzibar’s rich spice heritage.
Check out: 14 Best Things to do in Stone Town, Zanzibar
2. Spice Farms
As Zanzibar is the spice island par excellence, you should definitely not miss out on visiting a spice farm.
You will find most of these farms around Stone Town in particular but there is also a small but excellent one next to Jozani Forest, making it perfect to combine both.
You can book a spice tour in your hotel or choose one of the many tour operators in Stone Town. A taxi will pick you up from your accommodation and together with your guide, you will make your way to the farm.
Once there, your guide will show you around and explain all the different plants and trees.
You’ll get to see and smell spices like clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, turmeric, vanilla, cardamom, chili, and black pepper; herbs such as lemongrass and tropical fruits such as coconut, papaya, jackfruit, cassava, and pineapple.
I was totally blown away to see how cloves grow!
It’s just so interesting to see how the spices we use in everyday life are grown and harvested. Many tours also include a typical Swahili lunch at the farm, where you get to see and taste how the locals use these spices in their cuisine.
As a goodbye gift, you will also receive crowns, bags, or other creations woven from palm leaves.
3. Nakupenda Beach
Nakupenda Beach is a sandbank in the middle of the Indian Ocean, located 8 km or a 30-minute boat ride from Stone Town.
The word Nakupenda means “I love you” in Swahili and is quite fitting given the dreamlike and thoroughly romantic backdrop once you are there. To get to this stunning sandbank, you need to hire a boat but don’t worry, there are a lot of tour operators in Stone Town.
And if you’re wondering what you can do on a sandbank, I can assure you that you won’t get bored, because there are quite a few things to do.
First, you can just take a walk, admire your surroundings, and take some nice pictures. It’s hard to say how big the sandbank is, as the size varies due to the tides.
For enjoying the kitschy turquoise blue water you can go swimming or snorkeling. If you are hungry afterward you don’t have to starve, because when you book a tour, a picnic on the sandbank is usually included.
A chef will accompany you and your tour guide and prepare some delicacies on the Nakupenda sandbank. After lunch, you can do some shopping at the local vendors and purchase dresses, bracelets, soaps, etc. or you can treat yourself to a relaxing massage.
Tours you might find interesting:
4. & 5. Nungwi & Kendwa
Another one of the best places to see is Nungwi. This place is located at the northern tip of the island and attracts visitors with its beautiful white beaches and turquoise ocean, which is particularly beautiful there.
Nungwi is divided into two parts – Nungwi East and Nungwi West. Nungwi East is more touristy, as there are more hotels and resorts. But there are also more restaurants, bars, the well-known Nungwi Inn beach, great nightlife and you can watch the sunset there.
The West coast is calmer and you can find a beautiful sandbank there. It is also perfect for taking a sunrise beach walk in the morning.
Nungwi is known for two aquariums, where you can visit sea turtles and even swim with them – the Mnarani Aquarium and the Baraka Natural Aquarium.
The opinions on both differ greatly – I deliberately decided not to visit and wouldn’t recommend it to anyone since the turtles live in captivity after all.
From Nungwi West you can take a 45-minute beach walk to Kendwa (or a motorcycle taxi, called Boda Boda, which will take you there in 6 minutes). Kendwa is also a perfect spot for enjoying the beach and watching the sunset.
Once a month the legendary Fullmoon Party takes place at Kendwa Rocks Beach Resort, which you shouldn’t miss at all!
If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush on your vacation, you can go to the Kendwa Rocks Skydiving Center and jump out of a plane. A snorkeling or diving trip from Nungwi or Kendwa to Mnemba Atoll is also a good option.
6. Mnemba Island
Around 4,5 km northeast of Zanzibar lies Mnemba, a small private island, that is only inhabited by guests and staff from the only big luxury resort that’s there.
As the most expensive property in Zanzibar, Mnemba Island is naturally out of reach for many, and access to the island is strictly limited to hotel guests only.
So what makes Mnemba Island so special for everyone?
The answer is the beautiful coral reef that surrounds the island and therefore makes it a popular scuba diving and snorkeling spot.
With its wide variety of corals, different species of fish, and even occasional sightings of sea turtles and dolphins, it is one of the most beautiful diving sites in all of Africa!
Boats to Mnemba Atoll leave from everywhere on the island, but the shortest boat ride is from Nungwi or Matemwe.
My sister and I did our scuba diving license at Mnemba and believe me when I tell you that the underwater world is truly breathtaking!
If you are not into diving or snorkeling, you can just do a boat trip on a bigger boat and admire the turquoise water while having a light lunch. You might even be lucky enough to see dolphins!
Tours you might find interesting:
Check out: Bucket List Experience: Scuba Diving in Zanzibar
7. Jozani Forest
Fancy hanging out in a forest with some monkeys? In Jozani Forest, also known as Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, you can do exactly that.
To be more precise, here you can observe the Red Colobus Monkey, a species that can only be found in Zanzibar. Jozani Forest is also the largest indigenous forest on the island.
The forest nature trail will take you around 45 minutes through the national park and you can learn a lot about trees, plants, which are used in local medicine, and other animals living here, such as the elephant shrew or the green mamba (luckily, we didn’t spot any).
There are also over 50 species of butterflies and 40 species of birds.
Finally, you will see the Red Colobus Monkeys roaming in the trees – some of them with their babies! For your and the monkeys’ safety, it is recommended to not go closer than three meters.
Afterward, the tour will continue and you will step into a stunning mangrove forest where you can learn everything about those interesting trees and spot a lot of tiny crabs.
Tours you might find interesting:
Check out: A Complete Guide to Visiting Jozani Forest
8. & 9. Paje & MAALUM
Paje on the southeast coast of Zanzibar is not only popular among tourists but also among kitesurfers, as it is THE kitesurfing mecca in Zanzibar.
If you don’t want to try this exciting water sport, you can just sit back and sip a coconut in many of the great restaurants and cafés in Paje and watch the colorful gliders over the water.
Paje has a lot to offer in terms of culinary delights, but it doesn’t disappoint when it comes to nightlife either. There’s a party somewhere every day! On Fridays, for example, there are the legendary pool parties at the Hotel Jambo right on the beach.
The tides are very significant in Paje. At low tide, you can visit seaweed plantations and watch the women harvesting seaweed. At high tide swimmers, kite surfers and other water sports enthusiasts can be found in the ocean.
Don’t forget to visit MAALUM, a natural swimming pool in Paje with a spa and restaurant attached. The complex is really beautiful and definitely worth a visit!
Check out: 7 of The Best Restaurants in Paje, Zanzibar
10. & 11. Kuza Cave & Swahili Cave
These two caves, located in Jambiani on the southeast coast, are naturally formed sinkholes filled with crystal clear freshwater, making it perfect for a refreshing swim.
Kuza Cave is surrounded by a peaceful nature preserve and if you are lucky, you can even spot some monkeys. After you enjoy cave swimming, you can have a cold Kilimanjaro beer, participate in Swahili cooking classes, watch some African dancing and drumming, or learn about Swahili archaeology.
Swahili Cave is not only perfect for swimming and diving, it also has a spiritual aspect.
Legend has it that a female spirit lives in the cave, giving it a special energy that you can feel when meditating on one of the rocks. In the past, local people came here to pray or to heal from sicknesses.
Beautiful Baobab trees are just above the cave and there is also an area where you can chill and rest after your swim.
It’s hard to say which cave is the most beautiful, so why not visit both and then decide for yourself?
12. Michamvi Kae
Looking for the perfect sunset spot on the southeast coast? You will find it in Michamvi Kae.
This small fishing village, located on the peninsula of Michamvi, has its very own charm. There is nothing better than taking a walk on the beach and admiring how the sun sets gracefully over the ocean.
Another special feature of Michamvi is the mangrove forest. Once completely untouched, the effects of increasing tourism can be seen here already. Before you enter the mangroves, you can find a nice restaurant, which also offers lots of sunbeds.
Right in the mangrove forest, you will find the Mangrove Bar and the Kae Funk Beach Bar. Kae Funk is THE place to party in Michamvi and you can enjoy good music, cocktails, and even an acrobatic show right before the sun sets.
There’s not much to do during the day except relax and unwind. You can also take a boat and go to Uroa on the other side of the bay – also very quiet and relaxing there.
Check out: 8 Reasons to Stay at Michamvi Spirit Lodge
13. The Rock
Only a 10-minute drive from Michamvi Kae to the other side of the Michamvi peninsula lies another one of the best places to see in Zanzibar: The Rock Restaurant.
The special thing about this restaurant is that it is located – you have three guesses – on a rock in the ocean!
At low tide, you can easily walk there, as it is only a few meters away from the beach. But at high tide, you have to take a boat to reach there (of course you can also swim if you are keen).
The Rock offers a unique dining setting where you’ll be treated to local Swahili dishes, seafood as well as Italian cuisine. But don’t expect low prices here!
In my opinion, food and drinks are even a little bit overpriced. Honestly, we had no desire to dine here and only treated ourselves to a cocktail.
Sitting outside on the small terrace and enjoying the panoramic ocean view was still pretty amazing. I mean, when can you say you’ve enjoyed a fancy drink on a rock in the ocean?
14. Mtende Beach
Mtende Beach is located in the south of Zanzibar and I am not lying when I tell you that this is probably the most iconic beach on the island.
Before you get there, you need to drive through the quiet village of Mtende with its red clay houses and banana trees. You will also see a huge Baobab tree there.
Mtende Beach is basically a cove with big rocks and Mikadi trees on top. At low tide, you can go down in the cove, walk around, and admire the beautiful Indian Ocean in the distance.
There are also some natural tide pools, where you can spot small crabs and fish. Make sure you see the two rocks next to each other forming the shape of a heart!
At high tide, it’s perfect for swimming, as the water is directly coming to the stairs that lead to the cove. If you are hungry, you can have a nice seafood or Swahili lunch and refreshing fruit juices at the Usumba Rock restaurant, which is only a short walk along the beach at low tide.
Not far away from Mtende Beach is the Baobab Africa Lodge, where you can have lunch on a platform in the middle of a Baobab tree! They even allow you to use the pool, which is pretty cool for a quick refreshment.
Final Words
As you can see above, your trip won’t get boring, as there are so many amazing places to see in Zanzibar.
But as well as exploring, don’t forget to come down and enjoy the island’s serenity and pole pole (slowly, slowly) vibes.
Hakuna Matata – there are no worries!
Check out:
14 Best Things to do in Stone Town, Zanzibar
Bucket List Experience: Scuba Diving in Zanzibar
7 of The Best Restaurants in Paje, Zanzibar
A Complete Guide to Visiting Jozani Forest
8 Reasons to Stay at Michamvi Spirit Lodge
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Do you want to travel like me?
Here are some of my favorite travel tips and resources:
Flights: I prefer using CheapOair or Skyscanner to book flights. The destination everywhere feature is perfect for finding some cheap deals!
Accommodation: Booking.com is my favorite site to find some great hotel deals. I do love staying at a local place as well, so I book an Airbnb every now and then.
Travel Insurance: There are many reasons why travel insurance is important and I never travel without one. I use the simple and flexible one from SafetyWing that protects me against unforeseen events.
Tours: I love taking tours to explore destinations like a local. My favorite website to book them in advance is GetYourGuide.
Camera Gear: I use a Nikon D5300 camera with an 18-105 mm and a 10-20 mm wide-angle lens to take my photos.
