Travel guide · Tanzania
Zanzibar: what to see and when to go
Zanzibar is an archipelago off Tanzania with white-sand beaches, turquoise lagoons and Stone Town, a UNESCO-listed port shaped by Swahili, Arab, Indian and European influences. It is also the classic beach finale after a safari on the mainland.
What to see and do in Zanzibar
Stone Town
Carved wooden doors, the old slave market memorial and the Forodhani night food market.
Beaches of the north and east
Nungwi and Kendwa for swimming at any tide; Paje and Jambiani for kitesurfing.
Spice tour
Farms growing cloves, nutmeg and vanilla, the source of the island's old wealth.
Mnemba Atoll
Snorkelling with turtles and dolphins in a marine reserve.
Jozani Forest
Home of the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey.
Best time to go
Pleasant all year except April.
Getting there
| From | Flight time | Return flight |
|---|---|---|
| London | 10 hr | ≈ €530 · See flights |
| New York | 16 hr, 30 min | ≈ €680 · See flights |
| Los Angeles | 21 hr, 15 min | ≈ €790 · See flights |
| Dubai | 5 hr, 30 min | ≈ €330 · See flights |
| Singapore | 9 hr, 45 min | ≈ €530 · See flights |
| Sydney | 15 hr, 30 min | ≈ €660 · See flights |
3 nights from London: ≈ €740 per person, flight and stay included.
Per person. Estimates from distance and local prices; real fares depend on your dates.
Essentials
- Country
- Tanzania
- Currency
- Tanzanian Shilling
- Good for
- sea · calm
- How long to stay
- 5–8 days
- Where to stay
- Stone Town for a night or two, then Nungwi, Kendwa or the east coast.Find a place to stay in Zanzibar
Plan your trip
Flights, a place to stay and what else you need for Zanzibar, one tap each.
- FlightsFrom London · about €530 (opens in a new tab)
- StayHotels and apartments in Zanzibar (opens in a new tab)
- Things to doTours, tickets and experiences (opens in a new tab)
- Travel insuranceMedical, luggage and cancellation (opens in a new tab)
- Internet on arrivalData eSIM, no roaming bills (opens in a new tab)
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Frequently asked questions
What's the weather like in Zanzibar and when should you go?
Pleasant all year except April. Average highs range from 28° in June to 33° in February.
How many days do you need in Zanzibar?
5 to 8 days is enough to see the essentials without rushing.
What does a few days in Zanzibar cost?
Accommodation runs at around €70 per person per night. 3 nights from London: ≈ €740 per person, flight and stay included. The flight from London takes about 10 hr.
Where should you stay in Zanzibar?
Stone Town for a night or two, then Nungwi, Kendwa or the east coast.
