What to see in Zanzibar
22 must see places

Resort, Sandy beach, Zoo
Nungwi is the northernmost and in my opinion one of the best resorts in the whole of Zanzibar. The town offers the greatest shopping opportunities, great resorts, but also cheap small hotels. You'll experience truly local life in the slums (but safe), several animal farms and a huge range of excursions or water sports. [btn "Compare Zanzibar holiday prices" http://cestujlevne.com/zajezdy/tanzanie/zanzibar?gad=p-zanzibar-nungwi] What I liked…
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Resort, Sandy beach
Kendwa is a resort in the north of the island near the larger Nungwi and is one of Zanzibar's most luxurious holiday destinations. The local beach is definitely the nicest I have visited on Zanzibar and you can swim in the sea even during low tide, unlike the beaches on the east coast. There are also some great 5* resorts in Kendwa. [btn "Compare prices for Zanzibar holidays" http://cestujlevne.com/zajezdy/tanzanie/zanzibar?gad=p-zanzibar…
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Resort, Sandy beach
The many kilometres long strip of beach is one of the most popular resorts in Zanzibar. The coastline is fringed by a coral reef stretching for several kilometres. The area between the coast and the reef consists of sandbanks, coral reefs and shallow water, which at low tide reveals a surprising variety of marine life. [btn "Compare Zanzibar holiday prices" http://cestujlevne.com/zajezdy/tanzanie/zanzibar?gad=p-zanzibar-jambiani] What I liked…
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Resort, Sandy beach
Paje is the busiest resort on the east coast and boasts the largest number of tourist services, excursions, restaurants and bars. After Nungwi in the north of the island, Paje is in my opinion the second busiest resort on Zanzibar. [btn "The cheapest last-minute holidays to Zanzibar" http://cestujlevne.com/zajezdy/tanzanie/zanzibar?gad=p-zanzibar-paje] Why did I like Paje? A lively resort full of shops, street bistros and bars Lots of…
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Tourist town
Stone Town is the historic centre of the island's largest city, Zanzibar Town, and is one of the most visited tourist attractions. Take in the atmosphere of the narrow streets surrounded by houses built of coral reef stone and discover the many historical monuments, cathedrals and mosques. I was most impressed by the great markets and street-food! We've written a detailed guide about Stone Town: Top places to see How to get around the…
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Restaurant
The restaurant The Rock is an iconic attraction not only for Zanzibar but for the whole of Tanzania. The small fairy-tale looking house stands on a rock in the middle of the ocean about 50 meters from the shore and at first glance you would hardly know that inside you will find one of the most luxurious restaurants in Zanzibar. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Zanzibar" https://www.booking.com/region/tz/zanzibar.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-zanzibar…
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Sandy beach, Island, For kids
Nakupenda is a sand dune in the middle of the sea and a temporary island. During high tide, most of it disappears under the sea, while at low tide Nakupenda Sandbank is a spacious sandy beach. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Stone Town" https://www.booking.com/city/tz/stone-town.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-zanzibar-nakupenda] When is low tide? Because Nakupneda Sandbank cannot be reached individually, you don't need to find out the tide times. …
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Island, Zoo, Sandy beach, For kids
A trip to the island, also known as Changuu, is a popular and enjoyable way to get away from the hustle and bustle of Stone Town. There's a beautiful beach, good snorkelling conditions, remnants of 19th century buildings and a colony of giant tortoises (changuu), after which the island got its Swahili name. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Stone Town" https://www.booking.com/city/tz/stone-town.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-zanzibar-prison] The…
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Sandy beach, Cliff, The Cove
Zanzibar is famous for its endless beaches that stretch for tens of kilometres along the coast. But even here you will find secret romantic beaches hidden among photogenic cliffs. Head to the very south of Zanzibar to discover the bustling but beautiful Mtende Beach. [btn "View the best beach hotels in Zanzibar" https://www.booking.com/beach/region/tz/zanzibar.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-zanzibar-mtende] Why visit Mtende Beach? The beach and…
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Resort, Sandy beach
Kiwengwa is the largest and, in my opinion, the nicest resort on the northern half of Zanzibar's east coast. Of all the surrounding resorts, it has the largest facilities in the form of services such as mini markets, ATMs and restaurants, as well as the nicest beach. [btn "Compare Zanzibar holiday prices" http://cestujlevne.com/zajezdy/tanzanie/zanzibar?gad=p-zanzibar-kiwengwa] What I liked about Kiwengwa: Beautiful long beaches Plenty of…
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National Park
Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park is the largest remnant of the original forest that once covered most of the island of Zanzibar. The forest is home to a number of endemic animals that were once common throughout the island: the diademed cat, the suni antelope and nowadays the park's biggest attraction, the red guereza. In addition to the forest, the park has several interconnected habitats: swamps, evergreen scrub, mangroves and grassy plains. …
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Sandy beach, Cave
At the southern end of the island, 53 kilometres from Stone Town, is the pretty fishing village of Kizimkazi, famous among tourists for its dolphin watching trips. The village actually comprises two sites: Kizimkazi Dimbani, where you'll find the oldest standing mosque in East Africa and where most people go dolphin snorkelling, and Kizimkazi Mkunguni, where you can see several baobab trees, the oldest and largest of which are said to have been…
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Island
Near the coast between Matemwe and Nungwi is Mnemba Atoll, a shallow coral reef with a tiny heart-shaped island on the western edge. Contrary to Zanzibar's laws that prohibit private ownership of beaches, you can't visit the islet unless you're a guest of an expensive resort &Beyond Mnemba Island. [btn "View the best beach hotels in Zanzibar" https://www.booking.com/beach/region/tz/zanzibar.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-zanzibar-mnemba] …
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Garden
Apart from its white beaches, Zanzibar is also famous for growing spices, fruits and vegetables. The island has a huge number of spice farms. I visited the small local Issa Spice Farm in the north of the island between Matemwe and Nungwi. In the chapter What to do in Zanzibar we have a list of all the spice farms that allow tours for tourists. [btn "View the best beach hotels in Zanzibar" https://www.booking.com/beach/region/tz/zanzibar.en…
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Island, Lighthouse
Chumbe Coral Island was the first marine protected area in Tanzania and contains one of the richest and best preserved coral gardens in the world. The island's name aptly sums up the understanding of the rich ecosystem as a living entity - it means being or creature. The coral growth on the shallow reef is among the densest in East Africa and the diversity of marine life in this area is fascinating. [btn "Find out trip prices at getyourguide…
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Cave, Sandy beach
About 25 kilometres north of Stone Town is the village of Mangapwani with a beautiful clean beach and several caves. The name of the village means "Arabian Coast" and probably refers to one of the caves, which is actually a man-made cavern that was used to hide slaves after the trade with Oman was outlawed in 1845. [btn "View the best beach hotels in Zanzibar" https://www.booking.com/beach/region/tz/zanzibar.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-zanzibar…
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Sandy beach
The beautiful, palm-fringed beach around the fishing village of Matemwe is ideal for those looking for a quieter, more local resort. Swimming is only possible at high tide, while at low tide you can walk across the lagoon to the barrier reef a kilometre from the shore. [btn "View the best beach hotels in Zanzibar" https://www.booking.com/beach/region/tz/zanzibar.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-zanzibar-matemwe] Beach facilities The beach at…
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Sandy beach
The small resort of Pongwe lies only about 5 km south of Kiwengwa, one of the main beaches of the northeast coast. [btn "View the best beach hotels in Zanzibar" https://www.booking.com/beach/city/tz/pongwe.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-zanzibar-pongwe] Time seems to have stood still in Pongwe - life here moves at a very leisurely pace and the relaxed atmosphere is accentuated by the wide, horseshoe-shaped sandy beach lined with palm trees. In…
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Sandy beach
Pwani-Mchangani is one of the many resorts on the east coast of Zanzibar. It lies between the other resorts of Matemwe and Kiwengwa and is one of the very quiet areas. There are several luxury resorts and budget apartments by the beach and Pwani Mchangani will satisfy those who prefer a quiet holiday. Swimming is only possible at high tide, while at low tide you can walk across the lagoon to the barrier reef a kilometre from the shore. [btn …
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Sandy beach
Dongwe is a very quiet resort on the southeast coast of Zanzibar. You will find practically only hotels and resorts here and Dongwe is therefore ideal for a carefree week of relaxation by the sea. Swimming is only possible at high tide, while at low tide you can walk across the lagoon to the barrier reef one kilometre from the shore. [btn "View the best beach hotels in Zanzibar" https://www.booking.com/beach/region/tz/zanzibar.en.html?aid…
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Sandy beach
The beach north of the village of Bwejuu is highly regarded for its spaciousness. As in the neighbouring resort of Paje, the sea recedes very far at low tide, so swimming is only possible at high tide. There are several spots in the vicinity that are ideal for snorkelling. Most hotels rent bicycles to their guests, either for free or for a nominal fee. [btn "View the best beach hotels in Zanzibar" https://www.booking.com/beach/region/tz…
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Cave
Kuza Cave is one of the most famous cultural and natural attractions in Zanzibar. And yet, chances are you'll be all alone! Kuza Cave is only about 1 km from Jambiani resort and the main attraction is swimming in the natural underground river that forms a small lake at the bottom of the cave. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Zanzibar" https://www.booking.com/region/tz/zanzibar.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-zanzibar-kuza] There are other similar…
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