Where to stay in Zanzibar — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Zanzibar is the spice island of the Indian Ocean — a blend of Stone Town, a UNESCO-listed maze of narrow lanes, carved wooden doors and the scent of cloves, and powder-white beaches with turquoise water to the north (Nungwi-Kendwa) and east (Paje-Jambiani). The winning formula: two nights in Stone Town, then three or four on the sand.
Why stay in Zanzibar
UNESCO Stone Town
A centuries-old Swahili trading town of narrow alleys and carved doors, fusing African, Arab, Indian and European cultures.
World-class beaches
Fine white sand and clear turquoise water — Nungwi and Kendwa in the north, Paje and Jambiani in the east.
The spice island
Clove, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg farms — smell, taste and learn the trade that made the island famous.
Crystal-clear diving
Mnemba Atoll is the island's top snorkeling and dive spot, with turtles, dolphins and vivid reef fish.
Pick an area first — where to stay in Zanzibar
Location is the single most important thing about a hotel — choose the right area first, then pick the hotel
Stone TownUNESCO old town · history · alleys & carved doors
Coming soonNungwi & KendwaNorth coast · swimmable at all tides · sunsets & nightlife
Coming soonPaje & JambianiEast coast · kitesurfing · laid-back backpacker vibe
Coming soonMatemwe & KiwengwaNortheast coast · quiet · upscale resorts near Mnemba
Coming soonRanked reviews — find your ideal stay in Zanzibar
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights
We're rolling out Zanzibar stay reviews — meanwhile search Zanzibar hotels across all 3 sites now
Local dishes to try in Zanzibar
- 1🍕
Zanzibar Pizza
Thin dough folded around meat, egg and veg, fried crisp on a hot griddle — the star of the Forodhani night market.
📍 Forodhani - 2🥣
Urojo (Zanzibar Mix)
A tangy-spicy soup of gram flour and tamarind with boiled potato, cassava chips, mango and chili, finished with lime.
📍 Street food - 3🐙
Pweza wa Nazi
Octopus simmered in creamy coconut curry with garlic, ginger, turmeric and tomato — the island's signature dish.
📍 Seafood - 4🍛
Biryani & Pilau
Fragrant spiced rice from Indian-Arab influence, usually served with goat or fish — deeply aromatic.
📍 Island-wide - 5🍚
Wali wa Nazi
Coconut rice paired with fish or vegetable curry — the everyday backbone of Swahili home cooking.
📍 Main dish - 6🍩
Mandazi & Chai
Swahili doughnuts flavored with cardamom and coconut, lightly sweet, dipped in hot spiced tea — a local breakfast staple.
📍 Snack
- 1🏛️
Stone Town
UNESCO World Heritage old town — get lost in the alleys, admire the carved doors, the Old Fort and the House of Wonders.
📍 Old Town - 2⛓️
Old Slave Market
A 19th-century slave-trade memorial, now the Anglican Cathedral, with a moving monument and preserved slave chambers.
📍 Stone Town - 3🐢
Prison Island (Changuu)
A short 20-30 min boat ride to meet Aldabra giant tortoises over 100 years old, with clear water for swimming and snorkeling.
📍 Off Stone Town - 4🌿
Spice Farm Tour
Walk through clove, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg plantations — smell, taste and learn the spice trade firsthand.
📍 Island interior - 5🐒
Jozani Forest
The only place to spot the rare, endemic red colobus monkey, with mangrove boardwalk trails.
📍 Island interior - 6🐠
Mnemba Atoll
The island's best snorkeling and diving — vibrant coral with turtles, dolphins and abundant reef fish.
📍 Northeast - 7🏝️
Nakupenda Sandbank
A sandbar ringed by turquoise water that appears at low tide — boat over to swim and feast on fresh seafood.
📍 Off Stone Town - 8🎵
Freddie Mercury House
The Shangani-district former home of Queen's frontman, who was born on the island, now a small museum.
📍 Stone Town
Things to do in Zanzibar
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Zanzibar — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
3 Zanzibar hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 9.6Upper-midEmerson Spice Hotel
Restored 19th-century palace house in the UNESCO old town
★ 9.0LuxuryBaraza Resort & Spa Zanzibar
Sultan-palace luxury villas with private pools
★ 8.9LuxuryHotel Riu Palace Zanzibar
5-star all-inclusive on white-sand Nungwi beach
โรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในZanzibar
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
The Z Hotel
Chic boutique with infinity pool and rooftop sunset bar
Cristal Resort Zanzibar
Great value on Paje, a kitesurfing paradise
Haven't found the one? Search all 3 sites yourself
Compare real-time room availability for your Zanzibar dates
🚆 Getting around Zanzibar
Abeid Amani Karume Airport (ZNZ)
About 7 km south of Stone Town, served by Qatar, Oman Air and Ethiopian; a taxi into town takes 15-20 minutes.
Ferry from Dar es Salaam
Azam and Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries from the mainland take ~1.5-2 hours; non-resident fare around USD 35, docking at Stone Town.
Dala dala (shared minibus)
The cheapest local transport from ~500 TZS, but slow and crowded — heavy luggage may not be allowed aboard.
Taxis & car with driver
Always agree the fare first; in-town rides run ~15,000-25,000 TZS, while crossing to the north or east beaches is usually a private charter.
Cash: TZS & USD
The Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) is the main currency; tourist spots accept USD. Bring USD 50 in cash for the visa on arrival.
Where to go next near Zanzibar
Frequently asked — where to stay in Zanzibar
Where should I stay in Zanzibar?+
The popular formula is 1-2 nights in Stone Town for the old town, then 3-4 nights on the beach. Nungwi/Kendwa in the north is best for swimming and sunsets (less affected by tides), while Paje/Jambiani in the east suits a laid-back, kitesurfing crowd.
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?+
The dry seasons — June to October and mid-December to February — offer the best weather and clear water for the beach. March to May is the long rains: cheaper, but some resorts close.
Is it easy to get around, and what currency do I need?+
It's straightforward — use taxis in town (agree the fare first) and a private car with driver to cross the island. The main currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS), but tourist venues accept USD; bring USD 50 in cash for the visa on arrival.
Ready to book your Zanzibar stay?
Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking