Zanzibar is where Africa meets Arabia across sapphire seas. Once a sultanate and a spice-trading powerhouse, its capital Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of carved doors, coral-stone palaces, and winding alleys perfumed by cloves. Beyond the history, you’ll find powder-soft beaches, world-class snorkeling, and warm Swahili hospitality.

Expect island time and tidal rhythms. Mornings reveal glass-clear water for snorkeling; afternoons bring ambling market strolls and cardamom-laced coffee. Local cuisine leans on coconut, seafood, pilau rice, and tangy mango—don’t miss “Zanzibar pizza” at the Forodhani night market or a beachside barbecue at sunset.

Practical notes: Fly into Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ). Dress modestly in Stone Town (knees and shoulders covered), and bring reef-safe sunscreen and cash for smaller shops. ATMs are available in Stone Town and Nungwi. Taxis and private transfers are the easiest way to move around the island.

Stone Town

Stone Town is the island’s soul—an evocative maze of Omani-era townhouses, Portuguese-era forts, Indian-trader balconies, and hidden courtyards. Listen for the call to prayer drifting over the harbor, then duck into spice-scented markets and cafés where time unspools gently.

• Top sights: Old Fort amphitheater, narrow alleys of Kiponda and Shangani, the Old Dispensary’s gingerbread façade, Darajani Market, Anglican Cathedral and former Slave Market memorial, and waterfront Forodhani Gardens.
• Why stay here: Walkable history, best dining variety, easy access to spice farms, Prison Island, and sunset dhow cruises.
• Eat & drink: Lukmaan (Swahili classics like octopus curry and pilau), Secret Garden at Emerson Spice (inventive menus in a lantern-lit courtyard), The Beach House (seafood and sundowners over the harbor), Stone Town Café (excellent breakfasts, spiced coffee).

Where to stay (Stone Town): Browse stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com. For a character stay, consider Zanzibar Coffee House (heritage charm, great rooftop breakfasts).

Getting to Zanzibar: Search international and regional flights to ZNZ on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical routings connect via Dar es Salaam, Addis Ababa, Doha, or Istanbul; regional hops from DAR to ZNZ take ~20 minutes (often $60–$150 one way).

Day 1: Arrival and a First Taste of Stone Town

Afternoon: Land in ZNZ and transfer 15–20 minutes to Stone Town. Check in and orient with a slow wander through Shangani, pausing at the Old Fort and the photogenic Old Dispensary. Grab an iced cardamom coffee at Zanzibar Coffee House or fresh-pressed sugarcane juice near the waterfront.

Evening: Head to Forodhani Gardens night market. Sample Zanzibar pizza (crisp crepe-like parcels), mshikaki beef skewers, and urojo “Zanzibar mix” soup. If you prefer a sit-down dinner, try Lukmaan for octopus coconut curry and tamarind juice, or The Beach House for grilled prawns with sea views.

Day 2: Spice Farm + Prison Island (full-day tour)

Delve into the island’s storied flavors and maritime lore on a guided day. Smell and taste cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla at a family-run spice farm, then boat to Changuu (Prison) Island to meet the centuries-old Aldabra giant tortoises and snorkel over clear reefs.

Recommended tour: Full Day Private Spice Farm Stone Town and Prison Island

Post-tour dinner idea: Reserve a table at Secret Garden at Emerson Spice for seasonal menus under frangipani trees, or try The Silk Route for aromatic Indian coastal dishes.

Day 3: Caves, Culture, and a Sunset Dhow

Morning: Take a half-day trip to Mangapwani for the coastal cave pools and historical cave sites, or opt for the natural swimming pool at Salaam Cave for a serene dip. Stop at a village fruit stand for pineapple and jackfruit on the way back.

Afternoon: Shop Darajani Market for spices (cloves, black pepper, vanilla), kanga fabrics, and hand-carved salad servers. Visit the Anglican Cathedral and Slave Market memorial for a sobering window into nineteenth-century history.

Evening: Board a traditional dhow for golden-hour sailing with taarab music and snacks, then cap the night with seafood at The Beach House or coconut fish curry at Lukmaan.

Recommended experience: Private Sunset Dhow Cruise in Stone Town Zanzibar

Nungwi

Nungwi sits on the island’s northern tip, famous for its broad, tide-friendly beaches and aquamarine water. Fishermen launch wooden ngalawas at dawn, while travelers snorkel reefs, sail at sunset, and bar-hop with toes in the sand.

• Top beach time: Nungwi and adjacent Kendwa for long, swimmable stretches and dramatic sunsets. Offshore, Mnemba Atoll offers Zanzibar’s marquee snorkeling.
• Active options: Reef snorkeling, stand-up paddle at sunrise, beach volleyball at Kendwa Rocks, and a visit to the local turtle rescue center.
• Eat & drink: Badolina Secret Garden (Mediterranean with a garden vibe), Saruche at The Z Hotel (seafood tasting menus), Fisherman’s Grill (fresh catch), Mama Mia (Italian plates and excellent gelato), Cholo’s Beach Bar (lively sundowners).

Where to stay (Nungwi): Compare stays on VRBO or Hotels.com. Beachfront favorite: DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Zanzibar – Nungwi (great sunset views and a reliable base). Seeking seclusion? Consider The Residence Zanzibar down south and pair it with a Nungwi stay.

Getting from Stone Town to Nungwi: Private transfer/taxi takes ~1.5–2 hours and usually costs $35–$60 depending on vehicle and season. Morning departures minimize traffic. Dala-dala shared minibuses are cheapest (~$2) but hot and slow.

Day 4: Transfer North and Settle into Beach Life

Morning: Check out of Stone Town and depart by private transfer to Nungwi (aim for ~8:30–9:00 a.m.). Drop bags and change into beachwear.

Afternoon: Lunch at Badolina Secret Garden (mezze platters, grilled halloumi, vibrant salads). Swim and sun along Nungwi’s main beach; if you want a low-key outing, visit the nearby turtle rescue center to learn about conservation work.

Evening: Walk the sands south to Kendwa for a postcard sunset; Saturdays often bring live music and beach parties at Kendwa Rocks. Dinner back in Nungwi at Saruche (try the seafood tasting menu) or Fisherman’s Grill for whole grilled snapper with coconut rice.

Day 5: Mnemba Atoll Snorkeling (full-day tour)

Spend a day on the water exploring Mnemba Atoll, a famed marine reserve with schools of reef fish, occasional turtles, and shimmering coral gardens. Expect a scenic boat ride, multiple snorkel stops, and time to laze on sandbanks when tides allow.

Recommended tour: Snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll

Back on shore, grab sunset cocktails at Cholo’s Beach Bar and a relaxed dinner at Mama Mia—order the seafood linguine and finish with pistachio gelato.

Day 6: Dolphins, Nungwi & Kendwa Beaches (full-day tour)

Combine an early-morning dolphin encounter (watch responsibly and avoid chasing pods) with a beach day up north. Tours typically include snorkeling, a seafood lunch, and free time on Nungwi/Kendwa’s best stretches of sand.

Recommended tour: Full Day Dolphin tour, Nungwi and Kendwa Beach Tour with Lunch

Evening idea: Beach barbecue skewers from local grills, or a sit-down feast at DoubleTree’s Fisherman’s Grill for calamari, prawn curry, and coconut-lime cheesecake.

Day 7: Last Dip, Transfer, and Departure

Morning: Sunrise swim and beachfront breakfast—think mandazi doughnuts and spiced tea. Check out and transfer ~1.5–2 hours to the airport, allowing buffer time for traffic and security.

Afternoon: If your flight is later, pause in Stone Town for last-minute spice shopping at Darajani Market or a quick espresso before heading to ZNZ. Search flight options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; many connections route via DAR or ADD for international onward travel.

Optional add-ons if you have an extra day or want to swap:

• Jozani Forest and The Rock Restaurant: Red colobus monkeys, mangrove boardwalks, and a meal at the iconic islet restaurant near Michamvi (advance lunch booking recommended).
• Sandbank day: Sail to Nakupenda sandbank for swimming and a seafood grill when tides are right.
• Quad or bike outings: Explore Nungwi’s sandy trails and rural lanes with a guide.

In seven days, you’ll trace Zanzibar’s story from coral-stone alleys and spice gardens to turtle-filled reefs and blazing sunsets. Expect a gentle pace, soulful food, and that unmistakable Indian Ocean light that lingers long after you’ve flown home.