Things to Do in Zanzibar
Top attractions, best neighborhoods to wander, and the food you shouldn't skip in Zanzibar, Tanzania — 2026 traveler picks.
Top places to see
Stone Town (UNESCO) + Darajani Market
Maze of 19th-century Swahili-Arab-Indian alleys. Carved doors + Sultan's Palace + House of Wonders. Free to wander. 2-3 hours minimum.
Forodhani Gardens night market
Sunset seafood grill — Zanzibar pizza, skewers, sugarcane juice. USD 5-10 a meal. Daily 5pm-11pm.
Prison Island (Changuu) snorkel
30-min boat from Stone Town — giant tortoises (150+ years old) + clear-water snorkel. USD 35 boat + USD 5 entry. 3-4 hours total.
Spice tour (clove + nutmeg farm)
Half-day tour into Kizimbani spice plantations — taste cloves, vanilla, cinnamon. USD 20-30. Why Zanzibar is the Spice Island.
Book tours + skip-the-line tickets
Compare tours + attractions in Zanzibar across GetYourGuide, Tiqets and Trip.com — free cancellation on most, and prices match direct booking.
Things to do in Zanzibar
Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Zanzibar and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse ZanzibarJust need timed-entry attraction tickets? Try Tiqets.Want a private driver-guide? Trip.com Private Tours in Zanzibar.Eat here first
Zanzibar pizza (Forodhani). Pilau spiced rice. Mishkaki skewers. Coconut octopus curry. Spiced chai. Konyagi gin.
Local tip
ZNZ is 6km from Stone Town — taxis USD 15-25 (negotiate, no meter), Daladala minibus TZS 500. For 4-hour layovers: Stone Town walk + Forodhani night market. For 12+ hours: add a Spice Tour. Bring USD cash — ATMs unreliable.
Where to stay
Hotels across Zanzibar — filter by neighborhood + budget on the map below.