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How many days in Zanzibar? 5 days: Stone Town, spices and white beaches
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Zanzibar is an island off the coast of Tanzania with a history of Omani sultans, spice plantations and the Indian Ocean trade, and some of the most beautiful beaches in Africa. Five days gives two to Stone Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the island's interior, and three to the beaches: Nungwi and Kendwa in the north for swimming at all tides, or Paje and Jambiani on the east coast for kitesurfing and wide tidal flats. Many visitors come after a safari in mainland Tanzania.
Short answer
Three days covers a day in Stone Town and two beach days. Five days adds the spice farms, Jozani forest and a snorkelling trip to Mnemba.
The 5-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Stone Town
Morning. Take a guided walk through Stone Town's maze of alleys: the carved wooden Zanzibari doors, the Old Fort, the House of Wonders (under restoration) and the Anglican Cathedral, built on the site of the last slave market, with the Slave Market memorial and its underground chambers.
Afternoon. Visit the Darajani market for spices, fish and fruit, and Freddie Mercury's childhood home area. Then relax in a rooftop café.
Evening. Eat at the Forodhani Gardens night food market on the waterfront: grilled seafood, sugarcane juice and Zanzibar pizza (a stuffed, griddle-fried pancake). Watch the sunset from the Africa House terrace.
Agree prices for street food and boat trips before buying; tourist prices at Forodhani can be high.
Day 2: Spice farm and Prison Island
Morning. Visit a spice farm (about US$20-30 with transport) to see, smell and taste cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla and pepper, which made Zanzibar's fortune in the 19th century.
Afternoon. Take a boat from Stone Town to Prison Island (Changuu, about 30 minutes), home to giant Aldabra tortoises, some over 100 years old, and a snorkelling spot.
Evening. Take a sunset dhow cruise (about US$25-50) from Stone Town, then dinner on a rooftop restaurant.
Combine the spice tour and Prison Island in one day through your hotel or a local guide.
Day 3: Jozani forest and the east coast
Morning. Visit Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park (about US$15-20), the only national park on the island, to see the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkeys and walk through mangroves on a boardwalk.
Afternoon. Drive to the east coast at Paje or Jambiani, where low tide reveals huge flats of white sand and seaweed farms worked by local women. Paje is one of the best kitesurfing spots in the world.
Evening. Stay on the east coast or continue north, and have dinner at a beach restaurant.
Visit The Rock, a restaurant on a rock in the sea near Michamvi, reachable on foot at low tide and by boat at high tide; book ahead.
Day 4: Nungwi and Kendwa
Morning. Move to the north coast: Nungwi and Kendwa have beaches that are good for swimming at all tides, unlike the east coast.
Afternoon. Visit the Mnarani Marine Turtle Conservation Pond in Nungwi and watch traditional dhows being built by hand on the beach.
Evening. Watch the sunset at Kendwa (the full-moon party is monthly) and have dinner on the sand.
Nungwi is livelier; Kendwa is calmer with a long, wide beach.
Day 5: Mnemba snorkelling
Morning. Take a boat (about US$40-70) to the Mnemba Atoll marine conservation area to snorkel with turtles, reef fish and often dolphins. The island itself is private.
Afternoon. Rest on the beach before your transfer to the airport (about 1-1.5 hours from Nungwi).
Evening. Depart, or stay one more night to relax.
Choose operators who do not chase dolphins; swimming responsibly with them is better for the animals and for you.
Only have 3 days?
With 3 days, spend one day in Stone Town and two on a north-coast beach.
Got extra days?
Most visitors combine Zanzibar with a safari in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro or Selous (Nyerere) on the mainland. Short flights link Zanzibar with Arusha and Dar es Salaam. Pemba island to the north offers excellent diving.
Where to stay in Zanzibar
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Stone Town guesthouses / Paje | Cheap rooms, local character. | US$40-80 |
| Mid-range | Stone Town boutique hotels | Restored Arab houses with rooftop terraces. | US$100-200 |
| Mid-range | Nungwi / Kendwa | Swimmable beaches at all tides, sunsets. | US$100-250 |
| Comfort | East and north coast resorts | Luxury villas on the beach. | US$300-1,000 |
Getting around
Use taxis or private drivers between Stone Town and the beaches (about 1-1.5 hours); agree the price first. Dala-dalas (shared minibuses) are cheap but slow and crowded. Ferries link Stone Town with Dar es Salaam (about 2 hours). Zanzibar's airport is 15 minutes from Stone Town. Since 2024, visitors have needed mandatory Zanzibar travel insurance, bought online before arrival.
What to eat in Zanzibar
Zanzibar's food mixes African, Arab and Indian cooking: biryani and pilau rice spiced with island cloves and cardamom, urojo ('Zanzibar mix', a tangy soup), octopus curry, grilled fish with coconut, and chapati. Try fresh coconut and passion fruit juices and spiced coffee from street vendors in Stone Town. A local meal costs US$5-10; resort dinners US$30-60. Zanzibar is mostly Muslim: alcohol is served in hotels and tourist restaurants.
Best time to visit
June to October is the cool, dry season, with highs of 27-29°C, the best for the beaches. December to February is hot and mostly dry. The long rains fall from about March to May, when some hotels close. During Ramadan, restaurants in Stone Town may close during the day.
Month-by-month weather for Zanzibar →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | US$25 | US$80 | US$300 |
| Food & drink | US$15 | US$35 | US$80 |
| Tours & activities | US$15 | US$40 | US$90 |
| Transport | US$5 | US$20 | US$50 |
| Total per person, per day | about US$60 | about US$175 | about US$520 |
Approximate 2026 prices in US dollars, widely used in tourism; small purchases in Tanzanian shillings. Add the mandatory Zanzibar travel insurance and a Tanzanian visa (e-visa) for most nationalities.
Before you go
Common questions
Which part of Zanzibar is best for beaches?
The north (Nungwi, Kendwa) for swimming at all tides and sunsets; the east (Paje, Jambiani, Matemwe) for wide beaches and kitesurfing, but the sea goes far out at low tide.
Is Zanzibar safe?
Generally yes. Be careful at night in empty streets of Stone Town, and keep valuables secure on the beach.
What should I wear in Stone Town?
Zanzibar is conservative: cover shoulders and knees in towns and villages. Swimwear is fine on resort beaches.
Do I need insurance to enter Zanzibar?
Yes: since 2024, Zanzibar requires a specific inbound travel insurance, bought online before arrival. Check the official requirements.
Can I combine Zanzibar with a safari?
Yes, it is the classic combination: a safari in the Serengeti or Nyerere, then a short flight to Zanzibar for the beach.
When are the tides?
Tides change daily; on the east coast, low tide leaves the water far out. Check tide tables before planning swimming or The Rock restaurant.
Is Zanzibar good for families?
Yes: calm beaches, tortoises, spice farms and boat trips. Choose a north-coast beach for easier swimming.
How this guide was made
Written by hand, without AI, from experience planning East Africa trips. Prices and entry rules are approximate for 2026; confirm on the official Zanzibar Commission for Tourism, Tanzania e-visa and Zanzibar insurance websites before booking.
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