Zanzibar City
Tanzania
- Stone Town
- Old Fort
- Forodhani Gardens
- Prison Island (Changuu)
- Jozani Forest
About Zanzibar City
Zanzibar City, on the west coast of Unguja island off Tanzania, is the main town of the semi-autonomous Zanzibar archipelago. Its historic core, Stone Town, was a major Swahili trading port linking Africa with Arabia and India.
Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for coral-stone houses with carved wooden doors, narrow alleys and the waterfront Forodhani Gardens, where a food market sets up every evening.
How many days do you need?
Two days are enough for Stone Town itself, including a boat trip to Prison Island. Add a day for Jozani Forest or a spice farm tour, and more if you plan to stay on the island's beaches.
Where to stay
- Stone Town — Guesthouses in restored merchant houses, within walking distance of the sights.
- Shangani — On the seafront near Forodhani Gardens, with sunset views.
- East and north coasts — Beach areas such as Nungwi and Paje; an hour or more by road from Stone Town.
From the airport to the city
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) is less than 6 miles southeast of Stone Town; most visitors take a taxi or a hotel transfer. Ferries also link Stone Town's port with Dar es Salaam.
Getting around
Stone Town's alleys are best explored on foot, and many are too narrow for cars. Taxis and minibuses called dala-dala serve the rest of the island.
Good to know
- Check current official travel advisories before you travel; foreign visitors must also buy the government's mandatory travel insurance.
- Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim: cover shoulders and knees in town, and be especially discreet during Ramadan.
- Swahili is the main language and English is widely understood. The currency is the Tanzanian shilling, and US dollars are often accepted at hotels.
Useful links
- Tanzania Tourist Board tanzaniatourism.go.tz
- Tanzania e-Visa (Immigration Department) visa.immigration.go.tz
When to go?
Best time to visit for the weather: June–September. The warmest month is February (average high 86 °F); the wettest is April (11.1 in).
Monthly climate
| Month | Avg. high °F | Rain in | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 85.1 | 3.00 | Good |
| February | 85.8 | 1.83 | Good |
| March | 85.8 | 4.91 | Good |
| April | 84.6 | 11.07 | Cool or rainy |
| May | 82.9 | 7.74 | Good |
| June | 81.7 | 1.31 | Ideal |
| July | 80.8 | 0.57 | Ideal |
| August | 81.1 | 0.53 | Ideal |
| September | 82.2 | 0.87 | Ideal |
| October | 83.8 | 2.45 | Good |
| November | 84.9 | 4.76 | Good |
| December | 85.5 | 4.19 | Good |
Source: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), 2005–2024 monthly averages of daily high temperature and total rainfall. Values are estimates for an area of about 50 km and may differ from the city-centre weather station.
Public holidays 2027
- New Year's DayJanuary 1
- Zanzibar Revolution DayJanuary 2
- End of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) *March 9 (2 days)
- Good FridayMarch 26
- Easter MondayMarch 29
- Karume DayApril 7
- Union DayApril 26
- Labour DayMay 1
- Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) *May 16
- Saba Saba DayJuly 7
- Nane Nane DayAugust 8
- Maulid Day *August 14
- Nyerere DayOctober 14
- Independence DayDecember 9
- Christmas DayDecember 25
- Christmas DayDecember 26
* Date follows the lunar calendar and may shift by a few days.
Sources: date-holidays and python-holidays open data projects; for Northern Cyprus, its public holidays law.
Practical info
- CurrencyTanzanian Shilling (Sh)
- Dialling code+255
- Plugs & voltageType D, G · 230 V · 50 Hz
- Emergency112
- DrivingOn the left
Sources: IEC plug types, Wikidata, Wikipedia; unverified details are left blank.