Once a powerful trading hub for spices and ivory under Omani rule, Zanzibar (Sansibar) is where Persian, Arab, Indian, and African influences meet in a maze of coral-stone alleys and sea-salted breezes. Its UNESCO-listed Stone Town hums with call-to-prayer soundscapes, carved teak doors, and lively markets, while the island’s coast glows with endless turquoise.

Beyond the postcard beaches, Zanzibar rewards curious travelers: sail on a traditional dhow to sandbanks, snorkel alongside technicolor reef fish near Mnemba Atoll, and wander Jozani’s forest trails to spot red colobus monkeys. Night markets sizzle, rooftop dinners swing to taarab music, and sunset light turns dhows into silhouettes—perfect for photography.

Practical notes: USD and Tanzanian shillings are widely used; ATMs are reliable in Stone Town, Nungwi, and Paje. Dress modestly in towns (Zanzibar is majority Muslim), especially away from beaches. Check visa requirements, consider anti-malarials, and expect a small government infrastructure tax collected by accommodations. Tides dictate swimming on the southeast coast—plan snorkeling and kitesurfing with local tide tables.

Stone Town

Stone Town is Zanzibar’s historic soul: sultans’ palaces, Portuguese-era forts, Indian merchant houses, and everyday island life folded into narrow alleys perfumed by cloves and coffee. It’s a feast for photographers—peeling limewash, brass-studded doors, and golden-hour light bouncing off coral-stone.

• Top sights: Old Fort amphitheater, Hamamni Persian Baths, Anglican Cathedral & former slave market, Darajani Market, Forodhani Gardens night stalls, and a sunset stroll along the seafront.
• Experiences: Rooftop taarab dinner, spice farm tour, local coffee at Jaws Corner, and a boat trip to Prison Island and the Nakupenda sandbank.
• Food vibe: Zanzibari pilau, octopus curry, urojo (Zanzibar mix), fresh sugarcane juice, and the cult-favorite “Zanzibar pizza.”

Where to stay (mid-range picks via our partners): Browse character-filled stays near the seafront or within the old town lanes on Hotels.com Stone Town or opt for atmospheric apartments and heritage homes on VRBO Stone Town. Look for places near Shangani or Gizenga Street for easy walking.

Getting there: Fly into Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com; typical round-trip prices from major hubs run ~$450–900 depending on season.

Day 1: Arrival, alleys, and seafront sunsets

Morning: Travel day. Aim to land by early afternoon; ZNZ is a 15–20-minute drive to Stone Town. Drop bags and get your bearings.

Afternoon: Easy orientation walk: weave Gizenga and Kenyatta roads, peek into the Old Fort, and browse the curio stalls. Coffee break at Zanzibar Coffee House (strong spiced brews and rooftop views) or Puzzle Coffee Shop (icy frappes, good Wi‑Fi, friendly staff).

Evening: Forodhani Gardens food night market: try “Zanzibar pizza” (a savory-stuffed crepe), mishkaki skewers, and sugarcane-lime juice. Prefer seated dining? House of Spices serves fragrant curries in a former spice merchant home; Maru Maru Rooftop offers sunset cocktails with 360° views.

Day 2: History, markets, and taarab on the rooftop

Morning: Guided heritage walk: Anglican Cathedral & Slave Market memorial (powerful exhibits), Hamamni Persian Baths (elegant 19th‑century bathhouse), and a detour to Jaws Corner for street coffee and card games. Photography tip: doors on Mkunazini and Hurumzi streets catch great side light before 10 a.m.

Afternoon: Darajani Market for spices, cloves, and kanga textiles. Lunch at Lukmaan (beloved local joint—order octopus curry, pilau, fresh mango juice; expect ~$3–7). Pop by the Old Dispensary’s carved balconies for shots of harbor life.

Evening: Book Emerson on Hurumzi Tea House for a set-menu rooftop dinner accompanied by taarab music (reserve ahead; set menu typically ~$40–50). Nightcap at Livingstone Beach Restaurant—feet in the sand, dhows bobbing offshore.

Day 3: Prison Island and Nakupenda—boat, snorkel, sandbank

Morning: Boat to Prison Island (Changuu) to visit the century-old Aldabra giant tortoises and snorkel the nearby reef. The ride is ~20 minutes; tours typically $25–45 per person including boat and gear.

Afternoon: Continue to Nakupenda sandbank for powdery sand, clear shallows, and grilled seafood lunch set-ups (watch the tide). Photographers: shoot low with the dhow sails for classic silhouettes.

Evening: Back in town, dinner at The Silk Route (coastal Indian—butter garlic lobster, tandoori fish) or Cape Town Fish Market–style seafood at nearby seafront eateries. Gelato stop at Tamu for dessert.

Nungwi

Nungwi, on the island’s northern tip, mixes wide, swimmable beaches (minimal tidal drop) with a lively string of cafés, dive shops, and sunset dhows. It’s your jump-off for Mnemba Atoll snorkeling and gentle coastal walks to Kendwa.

• Top activities: Mnemba Atoll snorkel trip, sunset dhow cruise, coastal walk to Kendwa, optional diving at Leven Bank (advanced) or reefs off Tumbatu.
• Food vibe: Beach grills, fresh-caught snapper, tropical smoothies, and sunset bars with beanbags in the sand.

Where to stay: Search beachfront stays from relaxed bungalows to stylish boutiques on Hotels.com Nungwi or self-catering options on VRBO Nungwi. Look near the main beach for easy snorkel and dining access.

Getting there: Morning transfer from Stone Town to Nungwi is ~1.5 hours by private taxi ($40–60) or ~2–2.5 hours by dala‑dala minibus (~$2–4; basic comfort). Depart after breakfast to maximize beach time.

Day 4: Transfer north, beach time, and a sunset dhow

Morning: Check out and drive to Nungwi. Settle in and grab a smoothie bowl or avocado toast at Badolina Secret Garden (leafy courtyard, great coffee).

Afternoon: Easy snorkel off the beach in front of the main strip or visit Baraka Natural Aquarium to learn about turtle conservation and swim in the tidal lagoon (entry typically ~$10–12).

Evening: Sunset dhow cruise with live taarab or soft percussion—$20–35 per person with snacks. Dinner at Langi Langi’s rooftop (coconut fish curry) or Fisherman’s Seafood & Grill at The Z Hotel (grilled calamari, ocean views).

Day 5: Mnemba Atoll snorkeling and photo day

Morning: Snorkel trip to Mnemba Atoll—clear visibility, healthy coral heads, and schools of tropical fish; dolphins are a bonus. Tours run ~$40–70 including gear and fruit. Bring a rash guard and reef-safe sunscreen.

Afternoon: Beach downtime and photo walk: fishermen repairing nets, dhows under sail, and kids playing football. Low-tide reflections near the waterline make dreamy mirror shots.

Evening: Casual sundowners at Gerry’s Bar (laid-back, toes-in-sand) followed by dinner at Mama Mia (Italian gelato and wood-fired pizzas) or Le Macis (spiced seafood with Zanzibari twists).

Day 6: Coastal hike to Kendwa or optional diving

Morning: Gentle hike: walk the firm sand from Nungwi to Kendwa (check tide; ~45–60 minutes each way) for swimming-friendly waters. Photography tip: shoot back toward Nungwi lighthouse for scale.

Afternoon: Optional 2‑tank dive—Spanish Dancer Divers and East Africa Diving run trips to Leven Bank (advanced currents; ~$130–160) and colorful reef sites for beginners. Non-divers can try stand-up paddleboarding or a village craft visit to see dhow-building.

Evening: Dinner at The Jetty (stilted deck, grilled catch of the day) or Essence Restaurant (fresh seafood bowls). If it aligns, Kendwa Rocks’ Full Moon Party brings live music and dance once a month.

Paje

Paje and the neighboring village of Jambiani deliver sugar-white beaches, glassy lagoons, and steady trade winds—a kitesurfing dream and a serene base for reef walks, Blue Lagoon snorkeling, and day trips to the mangroves of Michamvi.

• Top activities: Jozani Forest walk, Safari Blue sandbank cruise, kitesurf lessons, Kuza Cave swim, sunset at Kae Funk in Michamvi, and The Rock Restaurant at Pingwe.
• Good to know: Tides swing widely—plan swimming and snorkeling around mid-to-high tide; at low tide, the reef unveils a magical tidepool world (go with a local guide).

Where to stay: Compare beachfront hotels and kite-in/kite-out spots on Hotels.com Paje or browse villas and bungalows on VRBO Paje. Staying near the central beach keeps you close to kiteschools and cafés.

Getting there: Nungwi to Paje is ~1.5–2 hours by taxi ($50–70). Break up the drive with a Jozani Forest stop (small entry fee; guided walks included).

Day 7: Transfer via Jozani Forest, check-in, and Michamvi sunset

Morning: Depart Nungwi and stop at Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park. Walk the shaded trails to spot endemic red colobus monkeys and explore the mangrove boardwalk (entry typically ~$10–15 pp with guide).

Afternoon: Check into Paje. Late lunch at Mr Kahawa (excellent smoothies, tuna poke bowls, beachfront daybeds). Rest or a gentle swim if the tide is in.

Evening: Taxi 20 minutes to Kae Funk Beach Bar (Michamvi Kae) for one of the island’s best sunsets over Chwaka Bay. Order grilled octopus and a passionfruit mojito; soft beats and hammocks set a mellow tone.

Day 8: Safari Blue—sandbanks, snorkeling, and a dhow feast

Morning: Pick-up for the Safari Blue trip (typically launched from Fumba). Sail on a wooden dhow to see dolphins, snorkel coral gardens, and land on a powdery sandbank.

Afternoon: Seafood lunch on Kwale Island (often with lobster or fish, rice, sauces, tropical fruits). Climb the baobab, snorkel round two, then sail back with the wind. Expect ~$70–90 pp including lunch and gear.

Evening: Easy dinner in Paje at B4 Beach Club (burgers, tacos, daily catch) or Palms Restaurant–style spots along the strip. If you have energy, stargaze—the south coast has darker skies for Milky Way shots in dry season.

Day 9: Kitesurfing and Kuza Cave

Morning: Beginner kitesurf lesson with an IKO-certified school such as Kite Centre Zanzibar or Zanzibar Kite Paradise (typical private intro ~$90–130 for 2 hours; multi-hour packages available). Non-kiters can beach-walk to Jambiani for seaweed farms at low tide.

Afternoon: Head to Kuza Cave near Jambiani—an ethereal limestone cavern with an emerald pool (entry ~$10–15). Bring a mask for a refreshing snorkel and low-light photography.

Evening: Dinner at Lustania in Jambiani (spiced octopus, friendly portions) or The Loop’s beachside restaurant (grilled kingfish, great cocktails). Night photography: light-paint palm silhouettes or do long exposures of dhows offshore.

Day 10: Blue Lagoon snorkel, The Rock, and departure

Morning: Time your morning for mid-to-high tide at Blue Lagoon (near Pingwe) for shallow, calm snorkeling—great coral fingers and plenty of reef fish for GoPro footage.

Afternoon: Lunch at The Rock Restaurant (reserve ahead; at high tide you boat, at low tide you walk—mains ~$20–35). Return to Paje to pack and transfer to ZNZ for your afternoon flight—compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: If your flight is later, enjoy a final sunset juice at Demani Lodge’s beach bar or Mr Kahawa. Pick up last-minute spices and kanga wraps in Paje’s small shops.

Food & coffee cheat sheet (by area): Stone Town—Lukmaan (local staples), Emerson on Hurumzi (rooftop set menu), House of Spices (historic ambience), Zanzibar Coffee House (roastery), Puzzle Coffee. Nungwi—Gerry’s Bar (sunsets), Langi Langi (curry, views), Mama Mia (gelato), Fisherman’s Grill (seafood). Paje/Jambiani—Mr Kahawa (beachfront breakfasts), B4 Beach Club (casual), The Loop or Kisiwa on the Beach restaurants (seafood), Lustania (Jambiani home-style).

Practical tips for your adventurous, mid-range trip: For transfers, private taxis are affordable split between two ($40–70 per leg). Respect reef health—reef-safe sunscreen only, never stand on coral. Drone use requires permits in Tanzania; check local rules. For the southeast, plan swims around the tide; for consistent swimming, Nungwi/Kendwa shine. Tipping for guides (10–15%) is appreciated.

Accommodations quick links by base: Hotels.com Stone Town | VRBO Stone Town • Hotels.com Nungwi | VRBO Nungwi • Hotels.com Paje | VRBO Paje

In ten days, you’ll trace Zanzibar’s arc from sultanate streets to reef-laced lagoons—snorkeling Mnemba, sailing sandbanks, and catching sunsets that linger in memory. With a mid-range budget and adventurous spirit, this itinerary balances culture, coast, and the quiet magic between.