Zanzibar City Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Stone Town tours and things to do in Zanzibar’s UNESCO-listed old city: wander the labyrinth of coral-stone alleys, visit a fragrant spice farm, sail to Prison Island to meet giant tortoises, learn the history of the slave trade, graze the Forodhani night market and cruise into the sunset on a traditional dhow. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
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Explore Zanzibar City by interest
Whatever brings you to Zanzibar City — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Top attractions in Zanzibar City
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Old City
Alleys & doors.
Spice Farm
The Spice Island.
Prison Island
Giant tortoises.
Slave Market
A moving past.
Forodhani
Night market.
Sunset Dhow
Golden sails.
Nakupenda
Sandbank bliss.
Stone Town
UNESCO old city.
Stone Town awayOld City
Alleys & doors.
Inland awaySpice Farm
The Spice Island.
By boat awayPrison Island
Giant tortoises.
Stone Town awaySlave Market
A moving past.
Seafront awayForodhani
Night market.
By boat awayNakupenda
Sandbank bliss.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Zanzibar City visitor asks before booking.
Dry (Jun–Oct)
Warm, dry and sunny — the best time.
Peak
July to September and December are busiest.
Short dry (Dec–Feb)
Hot and mostly sunny.
For islands
Calm seas in the dry months for boat trips.
Long rains (Mar–May)
Wettest months with heavy showers.
Best overall
June to October for warm, dry days.
One day
An old-city walk and a spice farm.
Two days
Add Prison Island and a dhow cruise.
Three+ days
Add Nakupenda and the beaches.
For culture
The old city and slave history.
For islands
Prison Island and Nakupenda.
For flavour
A spice farm and Forodhani.
On foot
The old city is a walkable warren of alleys.
By boat
Boats reach Prison Island and Nakupenda.
By taxi
Taxis link the town, spice farms and beaches.
Where to stay
Stay in the old city for its atmosphere.
Dress modestly
Cover shoulders and knees out of respect.
Currency
Tanzanian shillings are used; US dollars and cards are widely accepted.
Old city
Hire a guide — the alleys are easy to get lost in.
Spice farm
Go in the morning for the freshest tastings.
Prison Island
Combine it with the Nakupenda sandbank.
Forodhani
Arrive at dusk when the food stalls open.
Sunset dhow
Book the golden-hour departure.
Combos
Many tours pair a spice farm with the old city.
Walking tours
Guided old-city walks fill up — book ahead.
Spice tours
Popular farm trips fill up — reserve early.
Island trips
Prison Island boats fill up — book ahead.
Sunset dhows
Golden-hour cruises fill up — reserve early.
Food tours
Forodhani tastings fill up — book ahead.
High season
July to September is busiest — book far ahead.
Walking tour
From about €20 for an old-city walk.
Spice farm
Around €35 for a spice plantation tour.
Prison Island
About €59 for a tortoise and snorkel trip.
Forodhani food
From €41 for an evening food tour.
Sunset dhow
Around €89 for a private sunset sail.
How to save
Join group tours and combine a spice farm with the old city.
Zanzibar City through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Hot & sunny.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great.
- Best for
- Green & quiet.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Wet.
- Best for
- Warm & dry.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Best.
- Best for
- Fewer crowds.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Showers.