The Tanzanian archipelago off the coast of East Africa, Zanzibar, whose main island is Unguja, is renowned for its many heavenly beaches. Also nicknamed the “Spice Island”, it is known for its constant scent of spices, which adds to its charm. With its blend of African, Arab, Indian and European cultures, Zanzibar is as fascinating for its landscapes as for its historic heart. So, choosing where to stay in Zanzibar according to your preferences will be essential to anticipate your stay in the best possible way.
In this guide, we’ll be advising you on the different places to stay, according to their geographical location, budget or even their beaches and emblematic places. We’ll also tell you about the ambience of these areas in terms of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. For each area, we ‘ll suggest accommodation to suit different budgets.
Key information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting accommodation in Zanzibar, here are the essentials to know about tourism.
Our favourite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Zanzibar:
- $ this hotel, in capital Stone Town.
- $$ this establishment is located on Zanzibar’s main beach in the north-west.
- $$$ this upscale hotel is located in the south-est of the island, near the old fishing village.
Map of different areas to stay in Zanzibar
We’re sharing the map on which you can find our recommendations for hotels or apartments to stay in Zanzibar. This map will also enable you to locate the different geographical areas we’ll be covering in this guide.
We’ve used the following color code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
Zanzibar accommodation essentials
Places to stay in Zanzibar
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying on Zanzibar.
Stone Town, the historic heart of Zanzibar
Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Stone Town is the cultural and historical heart of Zanzibar. The mainport town of Ungunja, its blend of British, Indian, Portuguese, Omani and Swahili influences gives it aesthetic, colorful streets full of charm.
Numerous carved doors of Arab and Indian origin contribute to the reputation of this historic place, and various emblematic monuments can be seen in the town, such as the old Portuguese fort, theold slave market and the old Arab palaces.
Stone Town is also home to a famous market, the Darajani market, where you'll find a wide range of products, especially spices, which are found all over the island.
From strolling through its narrow streets to discovering its beach and port, Stone Town has plenty to offer, and can be an ideal place to stay if you're visiting Zanzibar. By choosing to stay on this part of the island, you can enjoy a Night Market accessible only in the evening, and even watch the sunset from the town's rooftops.
As you can see, with its rich multicultural and historical heritage, Stone Town is the ideal place to stay if you want to learn more about Zanzibar. With accommodation to suit all budgets, whether you spend one night or several during your stay, staying here will allow you to discover the local culture and enjoy its nightlife.
Our recommended accommodations
Located near Stone Town, this accommodation offers comfortable rooms with balconies. A variety of activities are available, including snorkeling. Free private parking is available on site.
Ideally located in the historic center, this accommodation features clean, comfortable rooms. At an additional cost, the establishment offers a wide range of activities to discover the surrounding area, as well as a massage service.
Right in the heart of the historic district and just 200m from the beach, this accommodation offers luxurious rooms overlooking the city and the garden. On-site facilities include a bar with 360 views, a swimming pool and a wellness center.
Accommodation in Nungwi, the island's most touristic beach
In the north of Zanzibar, Nungwi is a seaside village known as the archipelago's most touristic beach. Less affected by the tides than the island's other beaches, it's the best place to relax and swim, hence the influx of tourists.
Although its position is not the most strategic for visiting the rest of the island, Nungwi offers a wide range of aquatic activities and boasts a magnificent coral reef in which it is possible to observe many colorful fish and even turtles for the luckiest of visitors.
As the seafront is home to a large number of hotels, the number of tourists is much higher than on the island's other beaches. So if you're looking for peace and quiet, it's best not to stay here.
With its many bars and restaurants and lively nightlife, it's also one of Zanzibar's most festive spots, making it an ideal place to stay for those looking to party.
Whether you're on a budget or not, Nungwi is the best place to stay if you're visiting Zanzibar to enjoy the seabed and the party scene. However, if your aim is to sightsee, you'll be better off in other parts of the island.
Our recommended accommodations
Just 50m from Nungwi beach, this accommodation offers clean, comfortable rooms at a reasonable price. A swimming pool, garden and terrace are available on site. A variety of activities and excursions are available at extra cost.
Located in Nungwi, Babalao Bungalow offers typical accommodation in a beautiful setting. There's an outdoor swimming pool, bar, terrace and restaurant. Bicycles are available for exploring the surrounding area.
On the seafront, this accommodation offers luxurious rooms with terrace. A private beach is accessible to hotel guests, who can also enjoy an outdoor pool and spa. There's also a restaurant serving international cuisine.
Accommodation in Jambiani, the old fishing village
Situated in the south of the island, Jambiani is an old fishing village which today remains one of the most authentic villages on Zanzibar.
With its white sandy beach stretching for almost 4km, Jambiani has managed to retain its charm away from the tourist resorts; its seafront has no resorts and is mainly made up of small lodges. In addition to its heavenly beach, the village is best known for the seaweed cultivation carried out by the local women and children.
Jambiani is the ideal place to stay if you're looking to relax and experience local Zanzibar life away from the big resorts. And although it's not very touristy, there are plenty of restaurants on the beach.
You can also enjoy its shallow beach and lagoon. But beware: with its rather high tides, you won't be able to swim there whenever you like.
So if you're coming to Zanzibar to enjoy a swim, choose another area to stay.
Finally, if you choose to stay on this part of the island, its position will enable you to easily visit the various tourist spots to the south of Zanzibar.
Our recommended accommodations
Ideally located on the Jambiani waterfront, this accommodation offers comfortable rooms in a beautiful, peaceful setting. An outdoor swimming pool, bar and restaurant are available on site.
Located in Jambiani, this hotel offers traditional accommodation. A private beach is available for guests, and you can take advantage of various facilities such as hammocks, bicycles, diving equipment and even a fishing boat.
Staying in Paje, the best kitesurfing spot
Just a few kilometers from Jambiani lies the village of Paje, whose beach is undoubtedly the most popular spot for kitesurfing.
With its large expanse of sand, shallow turquoise waters and constant wind, Paje has everything you need for kitesurfing. As well as kitesurfing, like Jambiani, Paje is renowned for its seaweed cultivation, and you can visit the Seaweed Center to discover how seaweed is transformed into various products.
More touristy than Jambiani, Paje boasts a wide range of tourist facilities, including numerous hotels. However, the area remains very affordable in terms of rates, and with its many bars, restaurants and lively nightlife, many young people come here to party.
Accommodation in Paje therefore represents the ideal compromise for those wishing to combine the calm of Jambiani with the lively, festive aspect of Nungwi.
If you want to try your hand at kitesurfing, this is the place to stay. You'll also be able to enjoy the ambience, and if you want to visit Zanzibar, its location means you can easily reach the island's other famous beaches.
Our recommended accommodations
Just 400m from Zanzibar's best kitesurfing spot, this accommodation features rooms with terraces overlooking the outdoor pool. Bicycles can be rented for exploring the surrounding area. Free private parking is also available.
Located in Paje, just a few steps from the seafront, Frangi'pwani offers pretty, comfortable rooms. An outdoor swimming pool, garden, terrace and restaurantare available free of charge to guests. Massages are available at an additional cost.
Stay in Matemwe, a fishing village with few tourists
A small fishing village in the north-east of Zanzibar, Matemwe is home to one of the archipelago's most beautiful and, above all, largest stretches of sand, stretching for almost 10km.
Mainly devoted to bathing and relaxing when the tide allows, there's not much to do in Matemwe. It is possible, however, to snorkel around the famous Mnemba Island, recognized as the best snorkeling spot in the entire Zanzibar archipelago.
Quiet and untouristy, Matemwe is a popular area for families looking for a relaxing stay in a club hotel.
There are many hotels in the village, but prices are higher than in the rest of the island. So, for those on a budget, it's best to stay in another part of Zanzibar.
Our recommended accommodations
Ideally located by the sea, this accommodation features rooms with terraces and balconies overlooking the ocean. In addition to its private beach, the hotel boasts a swimming pool, bar and garden, as well asa wellness center available at an additional cost.
Located on the Matemwe waterfront, the Zanzibar Retreat Hotel offers luxurious accommodation. A swimming pool and private beach are available on site, and you can take advantage of a massage service and excursions at extra cost.
Stay close to other beaches: Kendwa and Pingwe
The beaches mentioned above are not the only ones on Zanzibar, and others are well worth a visit during your stay, such as Kendwa and Pingwe beaches. Depending on your wishes and budget, you may or may not choose to stay there.
Just a few kilometers from Nungwy, Kendwa is a small village with few tourist facilities, allowing it to retain its authenticity. Not particularly well-suited to snorkeling and diving, its beach welcomes very few travelers and is a pleasant place to swim.
So if you're looking for peace and quiet, staying in Kendwa could be the right option.
Consideredone of the top destinations on the east coast, Pingwe is renowned for its underwater life and itsfamous The Rock restaurant in the heart of the ocean. This area is home to a number of rather expensive hotels and restaurants, but if you're on a budget, you can stay here to enjoy the paradise-like setting and discover the seabed.
Our recommended accommodations
Located on the seafront, the accommodation offers clean, comfortable rooms. There's an outdoor pool, a private beach and a wellness center available at an additional cost.
In Pingwe, the Mnana Beach Bengalows offers luxury accommodation with sea views. The hotel also has its own private beach and outdoor swimming pool. Bicycles can be booked to explore the surrounding area.
Summary
As you can see, Zanzibar has many heavenly beaches, but these are not the archipelago’s only wealth. In fact, the island boasts a wealth of culture that you can discover depending on where you decide to stay.
If you want to discover the local culture, you can choose to stay in Stone Town, Jambiani or Matemwe. If you want to relax and swim, the best place to stay is on the Nungwi or Paje waterfronts.