For those looking for a tropical island getaway with picturesque beaches, a rich history and vibrant culture but away from the chaos that now descends on many of the Mediterranean or Caribbean’s most popular islands, this African island is the perfect choice.
What’s more, Zanzibar is also home to Africa’s most underrated city of 2024 – Zanzibar City – which lies on the western coast, facing the mainland of Tanzania.
The city has an abundance of incredible architecture, from ruins to cathedrals and mosques.
The archipelago also boasts many pristine beaches, where you can spend the day swimming alongside dolphins or lying on the white sand with fresh coconut water in hand.
The city’s Stone Town is also a World Heritage Site, which served as a trading post for the spice, silk and slave trade routes.
Found on the largest island of Zanzibar, the city lies north of the much larger city of Dar es Salaam across the Zanzibar Channel and also serves as the capital of the region. As of 2022, its population was just over 219,000.
The city has two main parts, Stone Town and Ng’ambo (literally “The Other Side”), which were once divided by a creek that has since filled in. While Stone Town forms the city’s historical core, Ng’ambo is a much larger, more modern area that developed around the former after the Zanzibar Revolution (1964).
In Zanzibar City, you will find many historical attractions, including palaces, religious buildings, and ruins. This includes the incredible Sultan’s Palace, also known as Beit el-Sahel, which was once home to the royal family and now houses a museum.
The places of worship are mostly Muslim mosques, including the incredible Mnara Mosque, though there are also Christian churches like Christ Church Cathedral, which was built by British missionaries in 1879 on the site of the last permanent slave market in East Africa and now stands as a site of international historic and cultural significance.
As temperatures often reach 33C in January and February, Zanzibar’s beaches are the perfect place to cool off, including the stunning Nungwi Beach – just an hour and a half away from the city – which boasts hotels, restaurants bars and a vibrant nightlife. Kizimkazi Beach, meanwhile, is home to a small fishing community on the south coast and is renowned for its dolphin safaris.
The most popular route to Zanzibar City is from Heathrow Airport to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in the city itself. According to Booking.com, a one-way economy ticket with Qatar Airways takes just under 14 hours, with a quick layover in Doha, and costs £636.30.
To enter Tanzania, your passport must have an expiry date at least six months after the date you arrive and at least one blank page. Visitors must also have a tourist or business visa to enter the country. An “e-visa” obtained before you travel but it can also be picked up at the main ports of entry to Tanzania, subject to meeting all immigration requirements, the Foreign Office explains.
Additionally, since October 2024, all visitors to Zanzibar must have mandatory Inbound Travel Insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) for the duration of their stay, for up to 92 days.
In a recent update, the Tanzanian Government issued a travel advisory note on January 21 mandating that travellers have their body temperature checked at all points of entry following an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in the Kagera region.
The FCDO warns that it is illegal to take wildlife items such as horns and seashells out of the country without a certified export permit. If caught, you could be detained or fined.