Stone Town
Stay one or two nights in the old town to explore its alleys, markets and rooftop restaurants on foot — especially good at the start of your stay. Historic hotels in old merchants' houses give you the atmosphere. Among the Stone Town hotels we book are Tembo Hotel and Jafferji House. More in our Stone Town guide.
The north: Nungwi and Kendwa
Best if you want to swim at any tide, watch the sunset over the sea and have restaurants and activities close by. Lively in Nungwi, calmer in Kendwa.
The north-east and east: Matemwe, Pwani Mchangani and Kiwengwa
Long white beaches, the reef and Mnemba Atoll offshore. Matemwe is quiet and village-like; Kiwengwa is lined with larger resorts, many of them all-inclusive.
The south-east: Paje, Jambiani, Bwejuu and Michamvi
Laid-back and less built-up: kitesurfing in Paje, village life in Jambiani — where we book Fun Beach Hotel — and quiet, romantic stays around Bwejuu and Michamvi.
Compare the coasts in the best beaches.
Splitting your stay
A popular plan is one or two nights in Stone Town, then the rest on the beach. With a week or more, some guests split the beach time between two coasts — for example the north for swimming and the south-east for peace.
The hotels we book
We book a range of Zanzibar hotels at every level — from budget guesthouses and small boutique hotels to mid-range beach hotels and luxury resorts. See them all, by comfort level, in the Zanzibar section of our accommodations page. We match the hotel to your budget, the beach you prefer, and whether you want all-inclusive, half board or bed and breakfast.
Choosing well
- Tide: if swimming matters, choose the north or a hotel with a pool.
- Board basis: all-inclusive is simple in quieter areas; in livelier ones, half board lets you try local restaurants.
- Season: some smaller hotels close in April and May.
- Families: look for pools, family rooms and calm water — see family holidays.
