TL;DR: The best things to do in Zanzibar are a walk through historic Stone Town, snorkelling at Mnemba, a spice farm tour, the red colobus monkeys of Jozani Forest, the giant tortoises on Prison Island, a sandbank or Safari Blue boat trip, and plenty of beach time. Plan 5 to 7 days to enjoy it without rushing, and add the island to your safari for the perfect ending. Looking for things to do in Zanzibar beyond the beach? You're in the right place. The island has a UNESCO-listed old town, coral reefs, rare monkeys, spice farms and some of the best sunsets on the Indian Ocean. This guide groups the best activities by interest: Stone Town, the sea, wildlife, food and village life, and free things to do. You'll also find a quick table of the top 10, how long each takes and how many days to plan. We arrange every trip in this guide for our guests, often as part of a Zanzibar beach holiday after a safari. Dates and events carry the date we checked them. Checked: 5 November 2026.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Zanzibar?
The best things to do in Zanzibar are exploring Stone Town, snorkelling the reef at Mnemba, joining a Safari Blue or sandbank boat trip, visiting a spice farm, seeing red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest, meeting the giant tortoises on Prison Island and watching the sunset from a traditional dhow. Mix one or two trips with relaxed beach days.
We can arrange every trip on this list, as a single day out or as part of a longer holiday. See all our day trips and excursions for more ideas.
Stone Town: History, Markets and Night Food
Stone Town is the old heart of Zanzibar City and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. UNESCO describes it as a great example of the Swahili trading towns of East Africa, shaped by Arab, Persian, Indian and European influences. The best way to understand it is on foot. On a guided Stone Town walk, a local guide leads you through narrow alleys past carved wooden doors, old merchant houses and busy coffee corners. Don't miss Darajani market, where locals shop for fish, fruit and spices. Nearby, the Anglican cathedral stands on the site of the old slave market, and its memorial tells a hard but important part of the island's story. As the sun sets, head to Forodhani Gardens on the seafront. The park was restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in 2009, and in the evening food stalls serve grilled seafood, sugarcane juice and Zanzibar pizza. A sunset dhow cruise is the perfect end to a Stone Town day. You sail out on a traditional wooden boat while the town turns golden behind you. Love music? The Sauti za Busara festival takes place from 19 to 21 March 2027 in Stone Town. It moved from February to fit around Ramadan.
What Can You Do on the Water in Zanzibar?
On the water in Zanzibar, you can snorkel the reef at Mnemba, join a Safari Blue dhow trip in Menai Bay, picnic on the Nakupenda sandbank, dive, learn to kitesurf on the east coast or watch dolphins at Kizimkazi. Most trips take half a day or a full day and include a guide and snorkelling gear.
Snorkelling at Mnemba: the reef around Mnemba Island, off the north-east coast, is one of the island's favourite spots for colourful fish and turtles. Our snorkelling trip to Mnemba takes you there by boat with a guide.
Safari Blue: a full day on a traditional dhow in Menai Bay, in the south-west, with snorkelling, a swim on a sandbank and a seafood lunch on the shore. It's a classic for families and groups.
Nakupenda sandbank: a short boat ride from Stone Town brings you to a strip of white sand surrounded by clear water. It's perfect for swimming and a picnic, and its size changes with the tide.
Diving and kitesurfing: dive centres run courses and reef dives, and the wide, shallow east coast around Paje is popular for kitesurfing lessons. On the east coast, the sea goes out a long way at low tide, so check the tide times; our page on Zanzibar beach holidays explains how the tides work.
Dolphins at Kizimkazi: dolphins live off the south coast, and we watch them with care. Our boats keep a safe distance and never chase or crowd them, and guests can slip into the water quietly when the dolphins are nearby. It matters: a Newcastle University study found that when boats crowd them, Zanzibar's dolphins spend far less time resting and feeding.
Visitors to Zanzibar's marine conservation areas pay a small entry fee, and it does real good. According to the UN Development Programme, 45% goes to conservation, such as patrols and coral planting, and 30% to nearby communities and fishers.
Where Can You See Wildlife in Zanzibar?
The best places to see wildlife in Zanzibar are Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, home of the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey, and Prison Island, where Aldabra giant tortoises roam freely. Both make easy half-day trips, and you can combine them with Stone Town or the south coast. Jozani Forest: the Zanzibar red colobus lives only on Zanzibar. The Wildlife Conservation Society counted about 5,862 of them in its first full census, and Jozani's groundwater forest is their stronghold. A guide walks you to the troops, which are usually busy feeding and playing, and a boardwalk leads through the mangroves nearby. Prison Island: a short boat ride from Stone Town takes you to Changuu, better known as Prison Island. Its Aldabra giant tortoises are among the largest in the world, and The Citizen reports that the oldest is estimated to be about 192 years old. Afterwards, you can snorkel in the clear water around the island.
Spices, Food and Village Life
Zanzibar is known as the Spice Island for a reason. On a spice farm tour, you see, smell and taste cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla and pepper straight from the plant, and enjoy fresh tropical fruit. Food is a highlight of any trip. A Zanzibari cooking class shows you how to make pilau, coconut curries and chapati with a local family. Our guide to Zanzibari food lists the dishes to try. A walk through a fishing or farming village shows daily island life away from the resorts. Local crafts make great souvenirs, but buying is always optional, and our guides make sure there's no pressure.
Free and Low-Cost Things to Do in Zanzibar
Some of the best Zanzibar moments cost little or nothing: • Walk Stone Town's alleys and look out for the carved wooden doors. • Browse Darajani market in the morning, when it's busiest. • Eat at Forodhani in the evening, where a meal from the stalls costs very little. • Watch the sunset from the beaches of the north-west, such as Kendwa. • Walk the beach at low tide on the east coast, where rock pools and seaweed farms appear. • Swim and relax on the island's public beaches, which are open to everyone. Want more islands? Our guide to Tanzania's beaches compares Zanzibar with Mafia and Pemba.
How Many Days Do You Need in Zanzibar?
Plan 5 to 7 days in Zanzibar. That gives you time for Stone Town, two or three boat or nature trips and several relaxed beach days. With less time, base yourself on one coast and pick your favourite trips. Zanzibar is also the perfect way to end a Tanzania safari. A simple 5 to 7-day plan: • Days 1 and 2: Stone Town walk, Forodhani and a sunset dhow cruise. • Day 3: spice farm tour in the morning, Jozani Forest in the afternoon. • Day 4: Safari Blue, or snorkelling at Mnemba. • Days 5 to 7: beach time, with Prison Island, the sandbank or a dolphin trip if you want more. Many guests fly to Zanzibar straight after their safari. Our safari and Zanzibar holidays combine both, and the 6-day Zanzibar extension adds the island to any safari. Zanzibar is warm all year, but rain and sea conditions change by season. See the best time to visit Tanzania and our Zanzibar weather by month before you choose your dates.
Conclusion: Make the Most of Zanzibar
Zanzibar is so much more than a beach. Keep these three points in mind as you plan: • Mix culture, sea and nature: Stone Town, a reef trip and Jozani Forest give you the full picture. • Choose responsible trips that respect the dolphins and the reefs. • Allow 5 to 7 days so there's time to relax as well as explore. Ready to plan your island days? Tell us what you'd love to do, and our team will put together a Zanzibar holiday that fits your style, on its own or after your safari. Karibu Zanzibar!
