The 17 Best Things To Do in Zanzibar in 2025
Zanzibar is a whole mood. It’s the perfect blend of culture, nature, history, beachside bliss and incredible stays, the kind of place that lingers in your memory long after your trip ends.
I spent 10 days exploring both the tourist favourites and hidden gems. I swam with dolphins, took a cooking class, fed sea turtles, partied with locals, and so much more. So, I’ve rounded up the 17 best things to do in Zanzibar that I genuinely recommend.
Each activity includes my personal experience so you know what to expect, what to skip, and what’s worth every dollar. If you’re planning a trip to the island, save this list!
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A Short History of Zanzibar
Zanzibar isn’t just a tropical paradise with crystal clear waters and spice-filled breezes, it’s a place layered with rich history, culture, and influence.
Zanzibar was once a major stop on ancient trade routes, connecting Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Arab traders, particularly from Oman, settled here in the 9th century, bringing Islam, spices, and the Swahili culture with them. By the 19th century, Zanzibar had become the centre of the spice trade (this is how the name “Spice Island” came about) and, sadly, also the East African slave trade. You can still feel the weight of this history in the streets of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where winding alleys and carved wooden doors whisper stories of the past.
At one point, Zanzibar was ruled by the Sultan of Oman, became a British protectorate, and finally gained independence in 1963. Not long after, it joined with mainland Tanganyika to form what we now know as Tanzania.
Today, Zanzibar is a melting pot of cultures, African, Arab, Indian, and European, all wrapped up in island life. It’s the kind of place where every corner has a story, and the past and present sit side by side in the most fascinating way.
Best Things to do in Zanzibar – Stone Town
1. Walking Tour of Stone Town
Exploring Stone Town on foot is one of the best ways to soak up its history and charm. For about 3 hours, our guide took us through the narrow alleyways, old buildings, spice markets, and historical landmarks.
During this tour, you’ll navigate the labyrinthine alleys and visit corners of Stone Town like “Jaws corner”, an area where the men in Stone Town gather to have discussions about life and work. As you walk further into the town, you’ll discover intricate and decadent Zanzibari wooden doors, historic buildings, and vibrant markets where you can shop for souvenirs.
Our tour guide, Wazir, was incredibly knowledgeable about the island’s complex history, including its past as a major trading hub and the dark history of the slave trade. We actually visited the site of the Slave Market, which is now the location of Christ Church Anglican Cathedral. The cathedral was built on the site of the old market to commemorate the abolition of slavery in Zanzibar.
It’s a great intro to Zanzibar’s Arab, Indian, and African influences. You’ll leave with more than just souvenirs, you’ll leave with stories.
This walking tour costs $40 for solo travellers and $35pp for 2 people. If you are in a larger group, the price will be much lower.
If you’re visiting Zanzibar outside of the rainy season, be prepared for the heat! The weather is very hot, so I recommend starting early in the morning and also carrying water, sunscreen and a hand fan.
2. Afternoon Tea at Kholle House Rooftop Terrace
If you need to take a break from all the activities, spend a slow afternoon at Kholle House rooftop for a refreshing afternoon tea. Their traditional Swahili tea service includes Zanzibari spiced tea with local pastries and sweets, and it’s all served with a view of Stone Town’s skyline. I unfortunately did not go for afternoon tea on this trip, but it’s on my list for the next time I’m in Zanzibar.
Afternoon tea is served every day from 1 pm until 6 pm and costs $15 per person.
3. Shop for Souvenirs
Stone Town is a shopper’s paradise with countless shops selling everything from spices and handmade crafts to intricate woodcarvings and colourful fabrics. I bought so many things while I was here. I got jewellery, Zanzibar jerseys, fabric, spices, fridge magnets, mugs, and so much more.
Pro tip: Make sure to haggle. Shops often triple their prices for tourists, so always divide the first price they give you by 2 or 3, and NEVER shop at the very first store you visit. For souvenirs, your budget should start from $2 (5,000 Tanzanian shillings).
4. Eat Street Food at Forodhani Night Market
If you’re a foodie like me, Forodhani Gardens is a must. Every night from 7 pm, the night market comes alive with sizzling grills, the scent of spices, and crowds of locals and tourists.
I tried Zanzibar pizza, urojo soup, beef kebabs, shawarmas, crepes and fresh sugarcane juice, they were all delicious. You can eat a full dinner with 2000 – 13,000 tsh ($1-$5).
Tip: Just avoid the seafood here: it’s pricey and can be left out too long. Overall, pace yourself and pick carefully to avoid food poisoning.
5. Watch the Jumping Boys of Forodhani
You can’t come to Zanzibar and miss the famous “Forodhani Jumping Boys.” These local young men perform impressive dives in the Forodhani gardens from the seawall into the ocean, entertaining tourists with their acrobatic skills while shouting “Welcome to Zanzibar!”.
Price: They don’t charge anything but appreciate tips of 20,000 tsh ($8) per person
6. Cooking Class with a Local Family
This was my first cooking experience on a trip and certainly not my last. It was a great way to connect with the culture and food of Zanzibar more deeply. This activity was very spontaneous (we arrived before hotel check-in, so, booked this to while away time) and it was brilliant.
Our chef, Naima, picked us up, and we walked about 5 minutes to her house to cook with her family. It was a truly immersive experience, learning how to prepare traditional dishes using fresh ingredients.
On the menu was pumpkin soup for the starter, grilled tuna, cashew nut veggies and spiced rice (seasoned with cardamon, ginger, garlic and many other spices) for the main, boiled plantains cooked in coconut milk for dessert and avocado juice as our drink. Every meal was phenomenal. So flavourful and aromatic. When all the meals were ready, we sat down in the living room and enjoyed them together, family style.
The class lasted about 3-4 hours and cost $50; however, because it was last minute, our guide organised it and only had us tip $20 each.
7. Spice Island Tour
Zanzibar is nicknamed “Spice Island” because of its history as a major producer of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and other spices. So, you can’t miss a tour of a spice farm when you’re here. A spice tour takes you to a local farm where you can see, smell, and taste various spices in their natural form.
On this tour, we walked around identifying all the spices grown here, we were also given flower rings, hats and bags, we watched a man climb up a tree while simultaneously singing, and at the end, we ate some fruits and bought products made by the community. I bought some perfume oil made from one of the spices growing on the farm and use it to this day.
The tour, including transportation from Stone Town, costs $35 ( for 2 or more people) and $55 for a solo traveller and lasts around 3 hours.
Read these posts for my recommendations on where to stay in Stone Town:
Best Things to do in Zanzibar – Island Adventures
8. Prison Island Tour
A short 20-minute ride from Stone Town is one of Zanzibar’s most popular excursions, Prison Island, aka Changuu Island. It was built for the purpose of confining rebellious slaves, but no prisoners were ever properly housed there; instead, the island became a quarantine station for the yellow fever epidemic. The actual jail was built in 1893, hence the name “Prison Island”, and is still standing.
While I found the history of the island interesting, the highlight was definitely the Aldabra tortoises. These gentle giants were brought to Prison Island in 1919 as a gift from the British Governor of the Seychelles. They live well over 200 years, the oldest one is 198 years old, and there are approximately 189 tortoises on the island.
During our visit, we even saw a few mating (awkward, but iconic). So, if you’re short on time, this is an activity you could skip; it’s a bit underwhelming beyond the tortoises.
Price: a boat ride from Stone town costs $15-$25, and the entrance fee to Prison Island is $15.
9. Nakupenda Sandbank
Visit the stunning Nakupenda sandbank, a small strip of pristine white sand that emerges from the ocean during low tide. Here, you can sunbathe, swim in crystal-clear waters, and enjoy a delicious seafood lunch.
Nakupenda (which means “I love you” in Swahili), Sandbank is an actual dream. It’s a large strip of pristine white sand that emerges from the ocean during low tide and is surrounded by crystal-clear water. From 9 am until about 3 pm, when the tide begins to rise, you can swim, sunbathe, and feast on a seafood platter. I was obsessed with the fresh fruit and freshly caught grilled fish and octopus, it was so tender and flavourful.
This activity is a relaxing half-day trip that feels like paradise. It is often paired with a visit to Prison Island because it’s a 15 – 20 minute boat ride away.
Cost of a Prison Island and Nakupenda sandbank tour: 2+ people ($85 if you’re coming from Stone Town), solo is $130. This includes a seafood lunch, fruits, and all entrance fees and boat costs.
10. Local Sunset Cruise
If you want to have an authentic local experience, you need to go on a sunset cruise. The cruise starts in Kendwa on a traditional dhow boat, and for an hour, you will sail along the coast as the sun sets, painting the sky with a kaleidoscope of colours.
The cruise (like everything in Zanzibar) comes with free fruits, drinks, and the highlight was a drum show performance. The rhythmic beats of traditional drums combined with the stunning sunset created an unforgettable atmosphere. At the end of the cruise, you have the opportunity to jump from the top of the boat into the sea (if you’re a good swimmer).
The cruise costs around $25-$40 per person. The price varies by group size.
11. Ngalawa Dhow Cruise
An Ngalawa is a traditional handmade wooden canoe used by fishermen in Zanzibar, and sailing on one is thrilling and immersive. This authentic experience gives you a taste of local life and offers beautiful views of the coastline and pristine, crystal-clear waters. It’s more laid-back than the sunset cruises, but that’s what made it special: a simple, slow sail with no frills, just the ocean breeze and immaculate views.
This cruise is usually paired with starfish snorkelling, and it makes for a beautiful, relaxed experience.
Price: from $25 per person, depending on the duration, paid directly to the captain.
12. Day Trip to Mnemba Island
Mnemba Island, located off the northeast coast of Zanzibar, is a small, triangular-shaped private island known for its pristine white sand beaches, vibrant marine life and spectacular coral reefs. The island is part of a marine conservation area, making it a haven for snorkelling and diving. Access to the island is exclusive, with accommodations provided by luxury resorts like andBeyond Mnemba Island Lodge, ensuring an intimate and secluded experience for guests.
While the island itself is private, several tour operators offer excursions to the surrounding marine reserve, and this is what I did. My group and I went on a private tour of Mnemba to swim/ see dolphins, and snorkel.
Seeing dolphins was one of my trip highlights; however, something to note is that the seas are rough in January, so the boat ride there was honestly hell. But seeing dolphins and snorkelling made up for it. The marine life is vibrant with beautiful coral formations, and of course, playful dolphins swimming nearby.
The price for this tour depends on your group size. It costs $80 for 2 people and $130 for solo travellers (it’ll be cheaper with larger groups), and includes fruits, drinks and snorkelling equipment.
Tip: Take motion sickness tablets if you’re prone to seasickness (I through up a few times on the boat ride back).
Best Things to do in Zanzibar – Beach and Water Activities
13. Clear Kayaking at Kendwa Beach
Clear kayaking is another popular activity to do in Zanzibar and is usually done at Kendwa Beach. Just imagine exploring the crystal-clear waters of Zanzibar in a transparent kayak while taking in the views of the open sea, unreal. However, don’t expect to see any marine life below because you won’t be paddling deep enough into the sea.
This activity costs $20 for 30 minutes, and if you want to book drone photography, I recommend either him or him. We booked for $80 pp, and our videos and photos were ready within 3 days.
14. Relaxing at Mtende Beach
Also known as “secret beach”, Mtende Beach is a quiet and secluded spot perfect for relaxation, swimming and escaping the Zanzibar crowds.
From 12 pm to 3 pm, we had a do-nothing afternoon at Mtende Beach. Lying in the sand, soaking up the sun and swimming in the crystal clear ocean. This pristine beach is less touristy than others, offering a more authentic experience. The best part? It’s free to visit!
Tip: Get there before 3 pm. From 3 pm, the tide begins to rise, and the beach is completely covered.
15. Party with the Locals
I had no plans of partying with locals while in Zanzibar, but on our second night in Jambiani (a Friday night), we wanted to check out the nightlife. So, we took a TukTuk to Jambo Beach Resort in Paje (10 minutes from our hotel) for one of their beach parties, and it was worth it. The DJ did not miss,s and the vibes were immaculate. From the locals to the tourists, the crowd truly made the experience.
Price: A TukTuk from Jambiani to Paje is 13,000 tsh ($5), the entrance fee on Friday nights to Jambo beach hotel is 10,000 tsh ($4) and for drinks, budget around 5000 – 10,000 tsh ($2-$4).
Best Things to do in Zanzibar – Hidden Gems
16. Maalum Cave
The most carefree I felt on the trip was when I was swimming in Maalum cave, a natural swimming hole. This natural swimming hole is a lesser-known attraction that offers a unique and refreshing experience, and you need to add it to your itinerary because the experience was a 10 out of 10.
The cool, clear water provided a welcome relief from the scorching Zanzibar sun, and the cave’s natural beauty was simply stunning. The entrance fee is $20 per person for adults and $10 for children. Also, if you can’t swim, don’t worry, there are life jackets.
Opening times: 8 am – 6 pm
17. Salaam Cave – Turtle Sanctuary
Salaam Cave is a turtle sanctuary in Kizimkazi. They rehabilitate injured sea turtles before releasing them back into the ocean, and it has recently become a popular tourist attraction because of the crystal clear water. For $10, you can feed the turtles seaweed and interact with them for 30 minutes.
This was a different experience for me; getting up close to these stunning creatures is such an amazing feeling. However, you need to be careful and vigilant because if the turtles mistake you or anything on your body for seaweed, they will bite. So, if you have long hair, you need to tie it up to get it out of the way. Someone in my group accidentally left her hair down, and within 30 seconds, she was surrounded.
P.S.: Wear water shoes because the cave floor is very slippery and some parts are rocky.
Final Thoughts
Zanzibar isn’t just a destination, it’s an experience. Whether you’re wandering through the alleys of Stone Town, sailing on a dhow at sunset, or floating in a hidden cave, this island has a way of capturing your heart and slowing down time.
My trip was a beautiful mix of adventure, history, food, culture, and pure beach bliss. I hope this guide helps you plan the kind of trip that feels just as full and unforgettable.
