Zanzibar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Tanzania, is probably one of the most popular holiday destinations in Africa, and for good reason. Due to its position in the Indian Ocean, it is surrounded by magnificent beaches with long stretches of white sand, soft to the touch, as well as warm, clear blue water, perfect for tourism.
Besides its picture-postcard beaches, Zanzibar also has a rich culture and history that few people know about. Because of its strategic location, the island has always attracted peoples, from the Omanis to the Arabs and finally the Europeans, bringing a huge amount of trade opportunities and wealth to the island. The island is so diverse that you can see it in everything from its unique Indian/Arab cuisine, to the beautiful old colonial architecture that blends European architectural style with Indian, Arabic and African decors.
Top 10 reasons to visit Zanzibar in 2023
1. Stone town, the capital under the protection of UNESCO
Exploring the criss-cross streets of Stone Town, surrounded by colonial buildings, is probably one of the highlights of a visit to Zanzibar. Due to its strategic importance as the capital of the spice and slave trade, Stone Town has passed through many rulers, from the Portuguese Empire to the Sultanate of Oman, to the British Empire and finally independence. It is also under the protection of UNESCO.
It is because of these shifts in power throughout its existence that the Stone City has built and developed in a way unlike any place you have seen before. Here you can find a bit of Arabic and Persian influence, and from another angle, a bit of Portuguese and British influence. Not to mention all the beautiful and unique buildings you can find here, from the castedralem, the elegant Old Dispensary, a 19th century building decorated with Indian and European elements, to all the elaborately designed wooden doors called "Zanzibar Doors".
2. Learn more about the slave trade
If you're in Stone Town, also don't miss the East African Slave Trade exhibit, a museum dedicated to telling the terrible stories of the slave trade and the long, hard road to freedom. The exhibition is laid out in chronological order, and each panel tells a series of stories about how the slave trade began, all the way to how it ended. The descriptions are in English and Swahili and are extremely detailed.
If you want to learn more about the history of Zanzibar, the East African Slave Trade Exhibition is the place to be. Near the museum you will also find the Anglican Cathedral, a really beautiful church made of stone, and a disturbing monument to slaves.
3. Spend the night in a colonial-style hotel
If you plan to spend the night in Stone Town, take the opportunity to stay in a hotel located inside a colonial building, where you will be able to experience what it was like to be a sultanate in Zanzibar. There are several hotels in Stone Town that are located inside an old colonial building. These hotels are elaborately designed with wooden furniture, huge wooden doors and provide a nice and peaceful space away from the hustle and bustle of Stone Town.
4. Attend a concert by a local youth band
While you're in Stone Town, if you're looking for something nice to do at night, stop by Dhov Countries Music Academy and see what kind of shows and performances they have on that night. Dhov Countries Music Academy often hosts performances by local youth music groups. These performances often feature a combination of traditional dance, dramatic traditional tunes and heart-pounding music that will get your adrenaline pumping. If you are interested in African and Arabic music and want to experience local musicians and dancers in person, this is the place for you.
5. Try Zanzibar street food at Forodhani Market
Another thing you definitely shouldn't miss in Zanzibar is to try the Swahili street food, which is a mix of Bantu, Arabic and Indian flavors unlike anything you've tried before at Forodhani Market.
Every night in Forodhani Park, locals gather along the seafront promenade at sunset and start setting up their food stalls, selling all kinds of food to tourists and locals until late into the night. It's a great and cheap place to try all of Zanzibar's unique street food, like the famous Zanzibar Pizza, which has nothing to do with pizza except for its shape and name.
6. Visit Prison island
Prison Island is a nice half-day boat trip from Stone Town, which will take you to an island known for its turtle population as well as the history behind its ominous name. Prison Island, a tiny island just off the west coast of Zanzibar, is not actually an island with a prison on it, although it is meant to be, as its name suggests. It was originally intended to be used as a prison complex for slaves, but no prisoners were ever housed there. It was turned into a quarantine island for yellow fever patients for a short time.
After only being used as a quarantine island for a few years, it was converted into a government hotel and has since become a popular tourist attraction. Around the prison island hotel you will find hundreds and hundreds of giant tortoises, some as old as 200 years old, and you can get up close and personal with them. It's a fun experience for those who have never seen these majestic creatures up close.
7. Relax at Nungwi Beach
Stone town is really exciting! But we all know that the main reason you visit Zanzibar is to have a nice and peaceful beach holiday, and there are no better beaches in Zanzibar than Nungwi Beach, which is located on the northern part of the island. No matter how much you've traveled and seen videos, believe me nothing compares to the powdery white sand, vivid blue water and stunningly clean Nungwi Beach. Nungwi Beach may not be as big as other beaches in Zanzibar, but it is big enough and not as crowded as one would expect.
The sand is soft and powdery to the touch. The tide level does not affect Nungwi Beach the way it affects other beaches, so the water is perfect for swimming. And since there is no low tide, you won't see dead seaweed on the beach like in Paje, making Nungwi one of the cleanest beaches in Zanzibar. There are also many nice beach resorts and restaurants where you can indulge, making Nungwi one of the best places for a beach holiday in Zanzibar.
8. Diving at Matemve beach
Another great beach is Matemwe Beach, which is located not far from Nungwi Beach. Matemwe Beach is a less clean version of Nungwi Beach, but it is much longer and less crowded. It is also a great beach to explore Mnemba Island and the surrounding marine life. You can hire a dhow in Matemwe to take you to Mnemba Island and snorkel in one of the most beautiful diving areas in Zanzibar.
If you are looking for a quieter and more secluded beach than Nungwi, Matemwe Beach is another great option. There are many cool resorts around Matemwe. Because it is much longer and less touristy, you will have a more peaceful and quiet experience here than at any other beach in Zanzibar.
9. Visit The Rock restaurant
Located on Pingwe Beach on the southwestern peninsula of Zanzibar, the Rock Restaurant is one of the most popular and beautiful landmarks on the island. As the name suggests, this restaurant is built on a small rocky island where you can access it by walking at low tide or by boat at low tide. The Rock Restaurant itself is quite unique, but it becomes even more beautiful if you are there during high tide. Unfortunately, if the tide is low, all you'll see is dead seaweed everywhere.
If you want to eat at the Rock restaurant, you will need to make a reservation in advance because the restaurant is very small and extremely popular with tourists. If you don't want to go out of your way to eat a regular pizza (because The Rock is an Italian restaurant), you can skip it.
10. Swim with turtles in the Baraka natural aquarium
Have you ever wanted to swim with sea turtles? If that's your dream, you can finally check it off your list at Zanzibar's Baraka Natural Aquarium. Baraka Natural Aquarium is located on a rocky coastal area with shallow water where sea turtles often come to feed on seaweed. It is a popular place for local tourists to go and swim with them.
Dozens of sea turtles swim around this shallow pool, and with such clear water coming from the Indian Ocean through cracks in the coastal rocks surrounding the area, you can see these beautiful animals as clear as day, even above the water.
When to visit Zanzibar?
The best time to visit Zanzibar is during the dry season from July to September, where you will experience fewer rainy days. This allows you to really enjoy the stunning nature of this paradise island, with temperatures hovering around 24-34 °C.
However, you can still travel outside the recommended period if you want, as the rain usually doesn't last long and the island is likely to be less crowded. There are only 2 months with long rainy days, which are April and May.
Why visit Zanzibar?
The very name of the island evokes images of a tropical paradise. It conjures up visions of picturesque islands with soft sand, white beaches and sparkling azure waters. However, the Zanzibar archipelago has much more to offer than romantic shores and blissful sunsets. These islands offer a kaleidoscope of sights, smells, tastes and experiences that will feed your soul, rejuvenate your body and awaken your creativity.
Zanzibar is without a doubt a dream beach destination. The ideal place to get away from it all. But it also offers a fascinating history and rich cultural expression, as well as superb adventure and eco-tourism experiences.
