Where to Stay in Zanzibar

Really two holidays: Stone Town and the beaches

Zanzibar works best when you think of it as two distinct trips that happen to share an island. Stone Town is the historic, cultural heart — a UNESCO-listed maze of spice-trade lanes, carved doors, a dhow harbour and rooftop restaurants, full of atmosphere but short on beach. The north and east coasts, by contrast, are about white sand, turquoise water and the kind of resorts you barely leave. Deciding how to split your nights between the two is the single biggest planning choice.

Most visitors do both: a couple of nights soaking up Stone Town's history, then a transfer to the coast for the beach half of the trip. It's worth knowing the beaches differ too — the north coast around Nungwi and Kendwa keeps swimmable water through the tides, while parts of the east coast see dramatic tidal retreats during the day. Here's how the main bases compare.

Best areas to stay in Zanzibar

Traveller tip: Culture first → Stone Town (livelier than restful). Classic beach → north coast Nungwi / Kendwa. Diving near Mnemba → north-east lodges (check tides). Laid-back value → east-coast Paje / Jambiani. Popular plan: Stone Town nights, then the beach.

Area	Best for	Access	Trade-off
Stone Town	Culture, dhow sunsets, markets	Taxi from ZNZ	Lively, not quiet beach
Nungwi / Kendwa	Calm swimming, beach bars	~90 min north	Resort-strip evenings
Mnemba / NE coast	Diving / snorkel access	Boat tide windows	Less nightlife
Paje / Jambiani	Kitesurf, quieter value	East coast	Low-tide swim limits

Stone Town

Stone Town suits culture-first travellers and anyone who enjoys wandering atmospheric old quarters, eating well and taking a sunset dhow cruise; boutique riad-style hotels put you in the thick of it, though it's lively rather than restful. Taxi from ZNZ; Darajani Market in the morning, Forodhani Gardens after 18:00 for street food — not 13:00 when the waterfront is empty.

North coast — Nungwi and Kendwa

The north coast (Nungwi and Kendwa) is the classic beach base — calm, swimmable water, lively beach bars and resorts at every level, good for couples and first-time beach holidays. About 90 minutes north; sunset on Kendwa, eat at the beach after 19:00 — not Stone Town and back in a day with bags.

Mnemba and the north-east

For diving and snorkelling, lodges near the Mnemba area on the north-east give the easiest reef access — just check tide windows for boat trips. Boat at slack tide in the morning, not afternoon when the wind picks up.

East coast — Paje and Jambiani

The quieter east-coast villages (such as Paje and Jambiani) trade some swimmability at low tide for a more laid-back, kitesurf-friendly scene and often better value. Kitesurf morning, village lunch, not Nungwi prices. A popular plan is Stone Town first, then the beach — and if you're routing through the mainland for a safari, an airport-side or Stone Town night protects tight connections.

Arriving at ZNZ and getting around

Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ) sits just south of Stone Town, around 15–40 minutes from most beach resorts (north-coast transfers can take up to 90 minutes on coastal roads). There's no year-round direct UK route, so most travellers connect through Nairobi (NBO), Dar es Salaam or a Gulf hub, with some seasonal summer charters; see London → Zanzibar flights and build a buffer night before tight international connections.

Stone Town is walkable on arrival, but the coast resorts need a pre-booked transfer rather than a wander-and-find approach. A hire car isn't usually necessary — most people rely on resort transfers and arranged day trips — and a note on etiquette: dress modestly in Stone Town and the villages, where local culture is conservative, while resort beaches are more relaxed.

When to go, and when rooms cost less

The long dry season from June to October is the prime window — sunny, good for diving, and aligned with European summer holidays, so the busiest and priciest, especially around Christmas and New Year. The "short rains" of November and the longer rains around March to May bring lower rates and quieter beaches, with some properties closing in the wettest weeks. Ramadan dates shift each year and affect Stone Town restaurant hours, so check before relying on a riad-only meal plan.

Best for a first visit

Stone Town for history and food; Nungwi or Kendwa for swimming that survives low tide. Many UK weeks split both. ZNZ via Nairobi, Dar or the Gulf; pre-book coast transfers. East-coast tides retreat — north is the honest swim. Dress modestly in town; resort beaches are more relaxed.

Nairobi if safari comes first. Maldives if you wanted a private lagoon and no town.

Best for families

North-coast resort with a pool. Stone Town as a night or two, not a week with toddlers in alleys. Transfers beat arranging a taxi on landing.

Best for evenings

Stone Town for food and atmosphere; north coast is resort bars. Town rules are not a beach club — cover up off the sand.

Zanzibar stays FAQs

Stone Town or a beach resort?

Stone Town for history, food and atmosphere; the north coast (Nungwi/Kendwa) for swimmable beaches and resorts. Many travellers do both, with a mid-trip transfer.

Which beaches stay swimmable at low tide?

The north coast around Nungwi and Kendwa keeps deeper water through the tides. The east coast is beautiful but sees bigger tidal retreats during the day.

How do I get there and around?

Fly into ZNZ via Nairobi, Dar es Salaam or a Gulf hub. Stone Town is walkable; pre-book transfers for coast resorts rather than arranging on arrival.

Is Zanzibar conservative?

Yes in Stone Town and the villages — dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees). Resort beaches are more relaxed; ask your hotel if unsure.

When is the cheapest time to visit?

The rainier shoulder months (November, and March–May) bring the lowest rates and quietest beaches, with the trade-off of some wet days and the occasional closure.

Stone Town or north coast first?

Stone Town for culture nights and markets; Nungwi/Kendwa for the classic calm beach week — many visitors split stays.

East coast instead of Nungwi?

Yes for quieter value and kitesurf — accept that low tide can limit swimming compared with the north coast.

Where to stay in Zanzibar

Pick your base, then book