9 Unforgettable Activities to Enjoy in Zanzibar
Are you planning a weekend trip to Zanzibar while traveling, but you’re not totally sure what to do while you’re there? There’s a lot to see, but you want to be prepared ahead of time so you don’t miss anything.
Zanzibar is a little gem in East Africa, and it’s often overlooked. Zanzibar tourism is a little bit different from what you may be used to, but you’re going to want to take in the sights and the culture while you can.
Whether you’re taking a relaxing and chilled out weekend to walk around and see the sights, or you’re taking it all in while prepping for your climb up Kilimanjaro, there are a few things to do in Zanzibar.
1. Check Out Freddy Mercury’s Birthplace
Maybe this has no place being first, but if you’re excited by Queen, you’ll understand why it’s here.
While it’s up for debate whether or not this is the real birthplace of this music icon, you can go check out the Freddie Mercury house and maybe learn a little bit more about one of the world’s favorite rockstars and where he may have spent his holidays between school.
2. Relax at Nungwi Beach
Are you in need of a good beach day? Zanzibar has you covered.
It has beautiful white sands and a long strip of beach that’s perfect for a sunset walk. You can play in the ocean or check out local activities.
The water is going to be clear and warm, making it perfect for the beachgoer that just wants to spend the day relaxing and enjoying the sun.
While you’re there, you can get some food or drinks at one of the local food stalls, or check out some handmade cultural items for sale.
3. Visit the Palace Museum
Otherwise known as The Sultan’s Palace, this is an iconic building nestled within Stone Town.
Now, it’s a historical landmark, and it acts as a museum to show the history of the sultan and his family.
If you want to get a piece of Zanzibar history, this is one of the right places to do it.
4. Check Out the Spice Tour
Zanzibar’s climate is great for growing spices, so they grow a lot of them. For that reason, you can tour the places where the spices grow and learn a little something while you’re at it.
A tour guide can take you around the spice farms to show you the process of the spices being made, or through the streets of Zanzibar to show you the variety of spices that are present and where they come from.
While this is a bit of a tourist activity, it’s super unique to Zanzibar, and you’ll get a lot of wonderful sights (and smells) along the way.
5. Admire the House of Wonders
Doesn’t that already sound great? The House of Wonders was the first house with an elevator, and even electricity, in East Africa. It was built by the second Sultan of Zanzibar, with a door wide enough to fit an elephant through. This was very glamorous at the time.
It’s now a museum of Zanzibar’s history and cultural blends. If you’re a history buff, the House of Wonders can’t be missed.
6. Eat at a Night Market
Isn’t food one of the best reasons to travel? Zanzibar has some of the most unique foods in the world, and you can experience them for yourself through local vendors at one of the many local markets.
Forodhani Market is great in the evening. They offer local produce, fish, and meats for people to take home and cook for themselves. They also offer local specialties, though, for you to carry around with you and eat while you’re there. Don’t miss your chance to check out some local cuisine. Market food can’t be beat on a warm night near the coast.
7. Tour Jozani Forest
For a small fee, you can take a tour through Jozani National Park, the last indigenous forest in Zanzibar.
After your tour, you can wander freely through the clearly marked pathways. If you like wildlife, this is one of the best things to do in Zanzibar. There are a ton of unique plants here, but also a few animals you might not be able to spot elsewhere.
If you look carefully, you might spot some monkeys!
8. Explore Prison Island
This might not sound like the most cheerful place, but in modern times it’s mostly a museum of its past.
At different points in the past, slaves were detained here, and then people who were too ill to stay with the rest of society.
Now, though, it’s a relic of the dark history of Zanzibar so that people are able to learn from history.
It’s also a reserve that houses giant tortoises.
9. Soak in Stone Town
While many of the previously mentioned things to do were in stone town, it would benefit you to spend a day just wandering the town and taking it all in.
The town is labyrinthine and unique, with fun architecture and lots of local vendors. It’s easy to get lost (in a good way) just taking in the sights and checking out all of the nooks and crannies in this little old town.
Are There Enough Things to Do in Zanzibar?
Are you ready for your Zanzibar adventure?
There’s plenty to do to spend a relaxing weekend or longer. Soaking in the outdoors, checking out the local wildlife and food, or swimming at the beach; there are so many options for a relaxing time. You won’t run out of things to do in Zanzibar.
If you’re more into history and spending your vacation getting educated, they’ve got that as well. It all depends on what you’re looking for.
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