Things To Do In Zanzibar On A Holiday
The best things to do in Zanzibar while on a holiday include relaxing on the sandy beaches, swimming in the warm tropical waters,prison island tour, and snorkeling.
And we have come up with a complete checklist of the best things to do and see in Zanzibar to make sure that you don’t miss out on anything in this idyllic island paradise.
A List Of The Best Things To Do In Zanzibar
- Explore the Historic Stone Town
- Spice garden tour
- Go for a Swahili Cooking Lesson
- See the Former Slave Market
- Take a Stroll to Freddie Mercury’s House
- Go Shopping At the Darajani Market
- Eat a Zanzibar Pizza at Forodhani Gardens
- Swimming in the Indian Ocean
- Relax on Zanzibar Beaches
- Enjoy Lunch at Rock Restaurant
- Stay on Mnemba Island for private privacy
- Stay At Pemba Island
- Take A Boat Ride To Prison Island & See the Giant Sea Turtles
- Swim With Dolphins
- Spot Wildlife in Jozani Forest
- Snorkel and dive the coral reefs
- Go Scuba Diving
- Relax On a Sunset Dhow Cruise
- Cycle the Island
- Horse riding
- Visit the Butterflies Centre Zanzibar
- Zanzibar Safari Blue Trip
Things to do in Zanzibar Stone Town
Also known as Mji Mkongwe, which translates to “old town”, the Stone Town is the historical center of Zanzibar. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, the town is one of the most interesting places to visit in Zanzibar. It is an ancient culture-rich melting pot, where Persian, Arabic, Indian, and European cultures have merged over centuries. There is so much to do and see in this captivating town of Zanzibar, but here are some of the key things you won’t want to miss in Stone Town.
- walking tour
With its many cultural experiences, Zanzibar Stone Town bustles with locals and travelers alike, welcoming all who dare to leave the white sands and cooling Indian Ocean waters of Zanzibar’s beaches to venture into the delight-filled passages of the town.
A walking tour of Stone Town is both a cultural and historical experience, and touring the town’s alleyways on foot is the best way to learn about the history of this place of wonder. An additional benefit of this tour is that you can make a full itinerary of it –fabulous restaurants, boutique stores, art galleries, and restaurants galore await you, with an ambience that makes it easy to claim as one of the best things to do in Zanzibar.
- Visit the Old Fort
The Old Fort is the oldest building in Stone Town. The fort is located on the seafront. It was built by Omani Arabs when they seized Zanzibar island from the Portuguese in 1698. Over the centuries, it has had various uses, from a prison to a tennis club.
Today, the scale of the fortifications is still impressive. It features the Cultural Arts Gallery, where you can view local art. Also, here is the imposing House of Wonders, with what are said to be the largest carved doors in East Africa.
- Take a spice tour
Zanzibar is called ‘The Spice Island’ due to the spices grown on the island. Spice plantations set up during Arab rule brought great wealth to Zanzibar.
The archipelago even became the world’s number one exporter of cloves. It is today still farm cloves, as well as cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon, chilli, and black pepper.
So, a spice tour is an important part of any Zanzibar holiday! You will see, touch, smell, and taste the fragrant spices that are synonymous with the islands. You will also learn about the growing, harvesting, and preparing of spices, as well as how they’re used in traditional cuisine.
- Take a Swahili Cooking Lesson
For those who really love their food, you can take things one step further and combine a spice tour with a cooking class.
If you want to hit two birds with one stone, I recommend doing a spice tour with a Darajani market trip and a cooking lesson from Tangawezi Bistro in Stone Town.
There is a lot more fun here, and great to see the spices through their full journey. That way, you go home knowing how to replicate the delicious flavors that stole your heart!
Just a note to check which spices and seeds you’re allowed to bring back to your country before loading up your suitcases to the brim with them!
- See the Former Slave Market
Another thing traded on Zanzibar Island for many years was slaves, marking a much darker side to this island’s history. Stone Town was host to one of the world’s largest slave markets until it was shut down by the British in 1873. There is an Anglican church which now stands on the site of the former market, with a memorial statue.
This building houses many tributes to the city’s tragic past. Outside the cathedral, there is an exhibition center that documents the history of slavery in Zanzibar, Tanzania. One of the altars inside the building was built over the spot where the whipping post stood.
All newly captured Africans were tied to the tree here and whipped with a stinging branch to test their mettle. Those who did not cry or faint fetched a higher price at the market.
- Visit Princess Salme Museum
A little jewel box of a museum, it is dedicated to the story of Princess Salme.
Growing up in Zanzibar, as one of the sultan’s 36 children, Sayyida Salme had everything except her freedom. But at the age of 22, the princess fell pregnant by a German merchant out of wedlock, converted to Christianity, and changed her name to Emily Ruete.
It caused a scandal and – fearing for her life – she fled Zanzibar for a foreign land. Her tragic, colourful story inspired her to write a book.
Her book, Memoirs of an Arabian Princess from Zanzibar, is the first known autobiography by an Arab woman. It provides a glimpse of a lost world.
Take a Stroll to Freddie Mercury’s house
Yes, Queen’s famous frontman was born in Stone Town in 1946!
Freddie Mercury was a British singer and songwriter. He is regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of rock music. The family’s former home is now a small museum paying homage to Zanzibar Island’s most famous inhabitant.
- Go Shopping at the Darajani Market
For a truly awesome, immersive, and sensorial shopping experience, head down to Darajani Market, the heartbeat of Stone Town.
It’s a great, local experience as well as one of the free things to do in Zanzibar Stone Town (well, that is if you don’t buy anything).
Here you’ll find vendors selling all kinds of useful stuff – spices, clothing, mobile phones, oil, plastic goods, cooking utensils, fabric, fresh bread, fruit and veg, meat, and if you go early in the day, you may catch the big fish auction.
You can grab a samosa or chapati from a street food stall to keep your strength up as you wander around. Also, don’t be afraid to have a chat and enjoy the bartering process – Zanzibari people are very friendly!
- Eat a Zanzibar Pizza at Forodhani Gardens
Situated opposite the Old Fort, the Forodhani Gardens is a glorious seafront evening market, bustling with tourists and locals alike. Here, chefs in white jackets and top hats set up stalls to create a medley of Tanzania’s finest street food.
The tables are laden with falafel, cutlets of tandoori chicken, nyama choma (roasted meat), sizzling skewers of octopus, fish and other seafood, spicy samosas, and coconut bread.
But be sure to try the Zanzibar Pizza, whose origins trace back to Oman, of which the island was a colony. It is really an omelet of fried eggs, dough, and diced veggies. You can wash it down with cool sugarcane juice.
- Enjoy Sunset Drinks or Dinner at a Rooftop Restaurant
Eating at a rooftop restaurant is one of the most romantic things to do in Zanzibar’s Stone Town. These famous restaurants are also the best spots to enjoy golden hour over Zanzibar Island. Watch the beautiful sunset with panoramic views and listen to the evening call to prayer for an exotic-feeling evening.
