Zanzibar in 7 days

Spice-island history in Stone Town and turquoise Indian Ocean beaches. Best time to visit: June-October and December-February (dry seasons). Average daily budget: $50 to $130 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Stone Town, The UNESCO old city - carved doors, winding alleys, spice markets, and rooftop bars. Base for culture and history.

Morning: Explore Stone Town. Get lost in the alleys, see the old fort and former slave market, and shop the carved-door lanes.

Afternoon: Explore Stone Town, The UNESCO old city - carved doors, winding alleys, spice markets, and rooftop bars. Base for culture and history.

Evening: Forodhani night market. Waterfront food stalls at sunset - Zanzibar pizza, grilled seafood and sugarcane juice.

Eat: Zanzibar pizza and grilled seafood at Forodhani market

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Nungwi (North), Lively beach village with swimmable water at all tides and the best sunsets.

Morning: Spice farm tour. Walk a working plantation tasting cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and vanilla - the island's old trade.

Afternoon: Explore Nungwi (North), Lively beach village with swimmable water at all tides and the best sunsets.

Evening: Mnemba atoll snorkel or dive. Crystal water, reef fish and dolphins off the northeast coast.

Eat: Urojo (Zanzibar mix) sour soup

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Kendwa (North), Calmer sands next to Nungwi, famous for full-moon parties and easy swimming.

Morning: Sunset cocktails on a Stone Town rooftop bar like Emerson or Tea House.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Kendwa (North), Calmer sands next to Nungwi, famous for full-moon parties and easy swimming.

Evening: The Rock Restaurant, perched on a tidal outcrop off Michamvi.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Octopus curry with coconut rice

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Paje (Southeast), The kitesurfing and backpacker hub, big tides, laid-back beach-bar scene.

Morning: Jozani Forest to see the endemic red colobus monkeys.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Paje (Southeast), The kitesurfing and backpacker hub, big tides, laid-back beach-bar scene.

Evening: A traditional dhow sunset cruise from Nungwi or Kendwa.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Fresh tropical fruit and spiced 'Zanzibar coffee'

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Matemwe (East), Quiet, upscale beaches facing Mnemba atoll, best for snorkelling and diving.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Matemwe (East), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Matemwe (East), Quiet, upscale beaches facing Mnemba atoll, best for snorkelling and diving.

Evening: Dinner at Zanzibar pizza and grilled seafood at Forodhani market, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Matemwe (East).

Eat: Zanzibar pizza and grilled seafood at Forodhani market

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Stone Town, The UNESCO old city - carved doors, winding alleys, spice markets, and rooftop bars. Base for culture and history.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Stone Town, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Stone Town, The UNESCO old city - carved doors, winding alleys, spice markets, and rooftop bars. Base for culture and history.

Evening: Dinner at Urojo (Zanzibar mix) sour soup, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Stone Town.

Eat: Urojo (Zanzibar mix) sour soup

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Nungwi (North), Lively beach village with swimmable water at all tides and the best sunsets.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Nungwi (North), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Nungwi (North), Lively beach village with swimmable water at all tides and the best sunsets.

Evening: Dinner at Octopus curry with coconut rice, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Nungwi (North).

Eat: Octopus curry with coconut rice

Hidden gems

Sunset cocktails on a Stone Town rooftop bar like Emerson or Tea House.
The Rock Restaurant, perched on a tidal outcrop off Michamvi.
Jozani Forest to see the endemic red colobus monkeys.
A traditional dhow sunset cruise from Nungwi or Kendwa.

Getting around

Stone Town is walkable. Between Stone Town and the beaches, use a pre-arranged private transfer or shared minibus (dala-dala) - it's an hour or more to the north and east coasts. On the beaches, walk or hire a bike; agree taxi fares before you ride.

Safety

Zanzibar is a Muslim, conservative island - dress modestly away from the beach and resorts, especially in Stone Town (cover shoulders and knees). It's generally safe but watch for petty theft on beaches and use only licensed taxis at night. Buy a local SIM at the airport, carry cash (USD and shillings), and respect Ramadan timings if visiting then.

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