Yes, the beaches are extraordinary. But Zanzibar has layers — centuries of history, culture, spice and sea that reward the curious traveller who ventures beyond the shoreline.
Stone Town — A Living Museum
UNESCO-listed Stone Town is a labyrinth of narrow alleyways, ornate carved wooden doors, coral-stone buildings and the scent of spices. Visit the Old Fort, the Palace Museum, and the moving memorial at the site of the former slave market — now occupied by the Anglican Cathedral. Allow at least half a day to get genuinely lost in its streets.
The Spice Farms
Zanzibar was once the world's largest producer of cloves, and spices still define the island's identity. A spice farm tour takes you through plantations growing cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg and lemongrass — all explained and sampled by knowledgeable local guides. Most tours include a fresh tropical fruit lunch.
The Best Beaches
Nungwi and Kendwa (northwest) — the liveliest beaches with calm, swimmable water year-round. Paje (east coast) — a kite-surfing hub with a bohemian backpacker vibe and low tides that reveal a vast tidal flat. The south coast — remote, quiet and largely undiscovered. Matemwe — tranquil, with views of Mnemba Atoll.
Mnemba Atoll — World-Class Snorkelling
Just off the northeast coast, the Mnemba Atoll Conservation Area protects one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the Indian Ocean. Snorkelling here is extraordinary — sea turtles, dolphins, parrotfish, butterfly fish and vivid coral gardens. Most beach hotels arrange day trips by traditional outrigger boat.
Forodhani Night Market
Every evening, the historic gardens facing Stone Town's seafront transform into a magical open-air food market. Zanzibar pizza, fresh seafood skewers, sugarcane juice, Zanzibar coffee and coconut bread — all for a few dollars. An unmissable experience and one of the best street-food markets in East Africa.
Ready to Make This Happen?
Talk to the Levine Adventures team — we handle every detail so you can focus on the experience.