Sitting off the coast of Tanzania, Africa is the beautiful Zanzibar. Much more than swanky resorts, Zanzibar is packed with a rich culture and history, amazing food and incredible beaches. Come and check out our top 5 awesome things to do in Zanzibar.
Sunglasses at the ready.
1. Take a stroll through Stone Town
Sitting on the west coast of Unguja island (the main island of the Zanzibar Archipelago), Stone Town is the old part of Zanzibar City.
From its architecture to its cuisine, Stone Town showcases its fusion of Swahili, Indian, Arab and European influences. Beautiful carved wooden doors, a ceremonial palace and the Christ Church Anglican Cathedral are just a few highlights of this buzzing town.
You can learn about David Livingstone and his influence in helping to abolish the slave trade (Zanzibar was once a main slave trading port in East Africa), get lost in winding streets and shops, and even pass by one of the childhood homes of Freddie Mercury, the former lead singer of Queen, who was born in Zanzibar in 1946.
Don’t forget to check out the night market while you’re here for some yummy food prepared by the locals.
2. Try some local produce
Mango, pineapple, banana, coconut, coffee, seafood, spices, vanilla. The list could go on.
Zanzibar is an absolute paradise when it comes to fresh local produce. Oh, and it’s world-famous. And for good reason.
Sold at market stalls, street vendors and in restaurants, you’ve got plenty of chances to get your hands on some of the tastiest local food you’ll ever try. Trust us, the mango here is unbelievable *drools*
3. Check out one of the spice plantations
Originally introduced to Zanzibar by trade routes in the 16th century, Zanzibar is now home to a huge amount of spices and herbs.
So, wanna see how these local foods we’re going on about are produced? Get yourself booked on to one of the tours of a spice plantation here. Zanzibar is called Spice Island for good reason my friends.
On the walking tour, you can see how spices, herbs and fruits grow and are cultivated. Be prepared to get stuck in: you’ll get the chance to smell and taste all kinds of produce from cinnamon to black pepper, mango to jackfruit. Pretty cool huh? Deffo one for our list of things to do in Zanzibar.
4. Lounge for days on the beach
Google doesn’t lie. The water in Zanzibar really is that clear. And that blue 😳
Kendwa Beach has the perfect water for a swim after a sunbathing session (don’t forget your sunscreen though, the sun is super strong here) and even has a mini beauty parlour run by the locals.
So, grab your mates, a sun lounger, a good book and lock in a massage to round off an epic day by the water.
5. Watch a sunset
The sunsets in Zanzibar are really, really beautiful.
The white sand and clear water create gorgeous pastel colours that will stick in your memory for a long time to come.
Head down to one of the beaches on the west coast of the island to capture this special sight. Cheers to that!
Wanna come and visit having read our top things to do in Zanzibar?
Check out our trips to Africa and explore ones that travel through Zanzibar.
