Choosing the right area is crucial when travelling to Zanzibar. In the north, you can swim practically all day long, whilst in the east the sea recedes hundreds of metres at low tide. Some resorts are bustling late into the night, whilst in others you’ll find almost nothing outside the resort itself.

I’ve visited all the main resorts in Zanzibar. If I were travelling there for the first time and wanted to stay in just one place, I’d choose Nungwi. It offers the best combination of swimming, amenities, excursions and hotels across all price ranges.

I’d choose Kendwu for its beautiful beach and more luxurious resorts. Paje for its restaurants, bars and kitesurfing. Jambiani for a quieter stay with a local atmosphere.

Compare hotel prices in Zanzibar

If you’d like to stay at a resort and have your flight, transfer and meals included in one price, start by comparing the prices of package holidays to Zanzibar.

 

Where to stay in Zanzibar

Area	Who I’d recommend it to	Swimming at low tide	Atmosphere
Nungwi	first visit, excursions, restaurants	Yes	lively and colourful
Kendwa	best beach, luxury, families	Yes	quieter and resort-style
Paje	kitesurfing, bars, younger travellers	no	lively and sociable
Jambiani	peace and quiet, local life, cheaper hotels	no	laid-back and local
Kiwengwa and Pwani Mchangani	organised tours, resorts, families	no	touristy and comfortable
Matemwe	peace and quiet and trips to Mnemba	no	very peaceful
Pongwe and Dongwe	couples, relaxation, high-quality resort	no	secluded and resort-style
Stone Town	history, first or last night	no	urban and bustling

 

North or east coast?

This is the most important decision when choosing accommodation in Zanzibar.

North: Nungwi and Kendwa

• you can swim in the sea even at low tide
• there tends to be less seaweed on the beaches
• You can watch the sunsets
• There’s the widest range of excursions and high-quality resorts
• prices tend to be higher and there are more tourists and vendors on the beaches

East: Matemwe, Kiwengwa, Paje and Jambiani

• The beaches are very long and spacious
• at low tide, the sea recedes hundreds of metres from the shore
• The coast is windier and ideal for kitesurfing
• You can watch the sunrises
• you’ll find secluded resorts as well as affordable local hotels

On the east coast, I’d choose a hotel with a swimming pool. After all, you won’t be able to swim in the sea for several hours a day. We also highlight specific differences in our guide to the best beaches in Zanzibar.

No beach is free of seaweed all year round. There is usually the least amount in Nungwi and Kendwa, whilst the amount on the east coast varies depending on the wind and sea currents.

The best areas and hotels in Zanzibar

Nungwi

The most luxurious hotels are located in the north of the island, in the Nungwi resort area. This is situated at the very northernmost tip of Zanzibar. The conditions here are ideal for swimming, as the difference between high and low tide is minimal.

As well as luxury resorts, there are plenty of affordable guesthouses and B&Bs right on the beach.

Where to look for a hotel:

• Papaya Guest House – an affordable and clean guesthouse about 300 metres from the beach
• Zenobia Beach Resort **** – a good location right on the beach and a restaurant overlooking the sea
• Nungwi Beach Resort by Turaco **** – a good balance of price and quality for a package holiday
• Compare all hotels in Nungwi
• Compare package holidays to Nungwi

Kendwa

Much like Nungwi, Kendwa is ideal thanks to the calm waters off its coast. It lies just a short distance south of Nungwi on the western side of the island, and here too you’ll find dozens of hotels and resorts across all price ranges.

 

Where to look for a hotel:

• Sunset Kendwa Beach **** – a local resort right on the beach offering good value for money
• Zuri Zanzibar ***** – one of the best resorts for a luxury holiday
• Kilindi Zanzibar ***** – private villas for couples and a romantic holiday
• Compare all hotels in Kendwa
• Compare holidays to Kendwa

Paje – restaurants, nightlife and kitesurfing

Paje is the best choice for younger travellers, solo travellers or anyone who doesn’t want to be cooped up in a resort in the evenings.

The centre is full of restaurants, bars, shops and kitesurfing schools. As you move away from the centre, the beach quickly becomes quieter, so you can choose between hustle and bustle or peace and quiet.

The main drawback is the strong ebb tide. The sea recedes a long way from the beach and the area is often windy.

Where to look for a hotel:

• Hi Zanzibar – an affordable hotel for younger travellers, about 50 metres from the beach
• Tumbili Hotel Boutique – a small, modern hotel near the beach
• Oxygen Paje Hotel – a well-reviewed hotel right on the beach
• Compare all hotels in Paje

Jambiani and Bwejuu – peace and quiet and a local atmosphere

I’d recommend Jambiani to people who want to stay by a long beach, but also enjoy strolling through a typical village, eating at street-food stalls and not spending as much as you would in the north.

The resort stretches for a long way. Before booking, therefore, check the hotel’s location on the map; otherwise, you might end up staying several kilometres from a restaurant you like.

An even quieter alternative is the neighbouring Bwejuu. However, there’s a smaller selection of restaurants and services there.

Where to look for a hotel:

• ZAN Paradise Beach **** – a hotel right on the beach offering good value for money
• Alma Boutique Hotel ***** – a more luxurious stay in the quiet northern part of Jambiani
• Mayai Ocean Resort **** – a well-reviewed option by the beach in Bwejuu
• Compare all hotels in Jambiani
• Compare holidays to Jambiani

Kiwengwa and Pwani Mchangani – best for a resort holiday

Kiwengwa isn’t the most interesting or prettiest town on the island. Nevertheless, it makes perfect sense for a resort holiday.

There is a wide range of 4* and 5* hotels, more services than in neighbouring resorts, and many packages from European travel agencies. This is precisely why you can often find good deals on hotels and all-inclusive packages here.

Neighbouring Pwani Mchangani is quieter and even more focused on large resorts. In both areas, expect significant high tides. A swimming pool and a well-chosen diet are therefore more important here than in the north.

Where to look for a hotel:

• Seashore Beach Hotel **** – a good-quality hotel right on the beach for independent travellers
• VOI Kiwengwa Resort **** – a large resort offering good value for money
• Meliá Zanzibar ***** – a luxury resort in a quieter part of the coast
• LUX Marijani ***** – a modern resort in Pwani Mchangani
• Compare all hotels in Kiwengwe
• Compare holidays to Kiwengwe

Matemwe – tranquillity and trips to Mnemba Atoll

Matemwe has a long beach, very little nightlife and a more local atmosphere. It’s a good base for snorkelling trips to Mnemba Atoll.

I’d choose it for a peaceful holiday or a stay in a smaller hotel. It’s not suitable for people who want to try a different restaurant every evening.

Where I’d look for a hotel:

• Villa Kiva Boutique Hotel **** – a hotel near the centre of Matemwe offering good value for money
• Mora Zanzibar ***** – a large luxury resort for a package holiday
• Compare all hotels in Matemwe
• Compare holidays to Matemwe

Pongwe and Dongwe – secluded resorts for couples

I recommend Pongwe and Dongwe to people who are primarily looking for a high-quality hotel, peace and quiet, and a deserted beach.

Outside the resorts, there are few restaurants or other amenities. The hotel therefore becomes the main focus of your holiday, and half-board or all-inclusive packages make more sense here than in Paje or Nungwi.

Where to look for a hotel:

• Karibu Beach Resort ***** – a modern resort in Pongwe offering good value for money
• Breezes Beach Club and Spa ***** – a high-quality resort in a quiet part of Dongwe
• The Palms Zanzibar ***** – one of the most luxurious options for couples
• Compare all hotels in Pongwe

Kizimkazi – complete tranquillity in the south

Kizimkazi is a remote area ideal for a peaceful stay, snorkelling and dolphin-watching trips.

I wouldn’t choose it as my sole base on a first visit. It’s a long way from the main attractions, and the central beaches are crowded with tour boats. However, the high-quality resorts outside the village offer a very peaceful holiday.

• Aya Beach Resort – a well-reviewed local resort on a quieter stretch of beach
• View more accommodation in Kizimkazi

Stone Town – for 1 to 2 nights, not for a beach holiday

Stone Town is best for the start or end of your trip. You’ll be close to Zanzibar Airport, the harbour, restaurants and the departure points for trips to Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank.

One to two nights is enough to explore the town. I wouldn’t choose Stone Town as a base for the whole holiday, as there aren’t any good beaches for swimming here.

• Tembo B&B Apartments – convenient location by the coast and near the departure points for boat trips
• Compare all hotels in Stone Town

A hotel on its own, or a package holiday?

Both options make sense in Zanzibar. I’d always compare the price of the same hotel on Booking with the price of a package holiday.

Booking a hotel separately via Booking is worth it if

• you’re combining two or three areas
• you want to stay in a small local hotel or apartment
• you’re travelling through Tanzania or arriving by ferry from Dar es Salaam
• you want to stay in Paje, Jambiani or Stone Town
• you need the flexibility to change the length of your stay

A holiday with a travel agency is worth it if

• you want to spend your entire holiday at a single resort
• you’re looking for half-board or all-inclusive
• you’re heading to Kendwa, Nungwi, Kiwengwa, Pwani Mchangani or Matemwe
• you don’t want to organise your own flight and airport transfer
• you find a package holiday cheaper than booking the flight and hotel separately

Is all-inclusive worth it in Zanzibar?

In the remote resorts of Pongwe, Dongwe, Pwani Mchangani or parts of Kiwengwa, yes.

There tend to be few restaurants in the vicinity, and every taxi journey adds to the cost of your stay.

In Nungwi, Paje or Jambiani, I wouldn’t need an all-inclusive package. There are plenty of restaurants there, and it would be a shame to stay only at the hotel every day.

One hotel, or split your stay?

For a week-long relaxing holiday, one beachfront hotel is enough. Organised excursions usually pick up guests from all the main resorts, but do bear in mind that transfers may take longer.

If you’re travelling for 9 nights or more, I’d split the stay:

• 1 to 2 nights in Stone Town
• 3 to 4 nights in Nungwi or Kendwa
• the rest of the stay in Paje, Jambiani or another area on the east coast

This way, you’ll get to experience two completely different sides of Zanzibar. You’ll also get to enjoy the northern beaches, which don’t have a significant low tide, as well as the long beaches in the east.

To plan your journeys, refer to the sections on transport in Zanzibar and car hire. You’ll find ideas for things to do in the guide to what to do in Zanzibar.

Compare excursions in Zanzibar: GetYourGuide

Hotel prices – when are they cheapest?

The cheapest accommodation in Zanzibar is during the rainy season, i.e. in spring and autumn.

Expect the highest prices from December to March and from June to September.

Standard 3* hotels near the beach cost around 145 usd per night, but 4* and 5* resorts average between 200 usd and 400 usd per night.

If a simple room with an en-suite bathroom and no breakfast in a local apartment is enough for you, prices start from as little as 35 usd per night.

What to check before booking a hotel

• Location on the map: the phrase ‘by the beach’ can mean several hundred metres away, across the village.
• Tides: on the east coast, you won’t be able to swim for several hours a day.
• Swimming pool: in Paje, Jambiani, Kiwengwe or Matemwe, this is more important than in Nungwi and Kendwa.
• Air conditioning: this may not be available at all in cheaper rooms.
• Back-up generator: Power cuts are not uncommon on the island.
• Dining: if staying at a remote resort, check the availability of restaurants in the vicinity.
• Payment: smaller guesthouses sometimes require cash or charge a surcharge for card payments.
• Final price: check that taxes, fees and airport transfers are included.
• Cancellation policy: flexible bookings are particularly useful when travelling during the rainy season.

The term ‘private beach’ does not mean that the public is barred from accessing it. Beaches in Zanzibar are public; the resort simply has its own sun loungers and maintains the area above the water’s edge.