Zanzibar Travel Guide: Beaches, Stone Town, and Spice Tours

Zanzibar (officially Unguja) is a semi-autonomous island about 35 kilometres off the Tanzanian coast. It has a distinct culture shaped by African, Arab, Indian, and Portuguese influences, and a history tied to the spice trade and, painfully, to the East African slave trade. ## Stone Town Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the historic centre of Zanzibar City. The narrow winding streets, carved wooden doors, mosques, and old trading houses reflect centuries of Swahili, Omani, and colonial history. Key things to see in Stone Town: - **The House of Wonders** — the largest building in Stone Town, once a palace - **The Old Fort** — built by the Omanis in the 17th century - **The Slave Market Memorial** — a sobering but important part of the island's history - **Darajani Market** — the central market, busy every morning - **Forodhani Gardens** — seafront promenade with street food stalls that come alive at night ## Beaches The beaches vary depending on which side of the island you visit: - **North (Nungwi and Kendwa)** — wide white sand beaches with calm water. Best for swimming any time of day as the tide does not go out as far. - **East (Paje, Jambiani)** — long beaches with turquoise water. Popular for kitesurfing. The tide goes very far out at low tide, which limits swimming windows. - **Southeast (Bwejuu)** — quieter, fewer tourists, beautiful at high tide. ## Spice tours Zanzibar was once the world's leading producer of cloves. Spice tours take you to farms where you can see and smell nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, black pepper, turmeric, and cardamom growing. Guides peel, crush, and taste each spice. Most tours last half a day and cost around USD 15-25. ## Getting around Zanzibar has dala-dalas (shared minibuses) that connect Stone Town to most parts of the island cheaply. Taxis and motorbike taxis (piki-piki) are widely available. Renting a scooter gives you the most flexibility. ## Best time to visit The best time is June to October (dry season). Avoid April and May (heavy rains). March is also quite rainy. January and February are warm and mostly dry. ## Tips - Dress modestly in Stone Town — Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim - Bargaining is expected in markets - Friday afternoons many businesses close for prayers - Water visibility for snorkelling is best from October to February