Holiday in Zanzibar
Island in Tanzania — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇹🇿
Country
Tanzania
Type
Island
Best time to travel
June–October (dry, cool), December–February (hot, dry)
Budget/day
60–120 €
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Zanzibar (ZNZ) with a stop (Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Doha) in 10–14 hours. Visa on arrival ($50) or e-visa.
Deals for Zanzibar:
What makes Zanzibar special as a destination?
Zanzibar, the spice island off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean, enchants with turquoise blue water, powdery white beaches, and a fascinating cultural mix of African, Arab, Indian, and European influences. Stone Town, the historic old town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a labyrinth of narrow streets, carved wooden doors, and former sultan palaces. The beaches on the east coast around Nungwi and Kendwa are among the most beautiful in the Indian Ocean: crystal clear water, coconut palms, and spectacular sunsets create the perfect tropical paradise. At low tide, locals wade through ankle-deep water to offshore sandbanks, while women harvest seaweed for cosmetic production — a unique sight. Zanzibar's nickname, Spice Island, comes from the cultivation of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and black pepper. Spice tours take you through fragrant plantations where you can taste exotic fruits straight from the tree. The Forodhani Gardens Night Food Market in Stone Town is an evening street food festival featuring fresh fish, Zanzibar pizza, and sugarcane juice. Dolphin tours off Kizimkazi and snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll complement the offerings. December to March and June to October are the best travel months.
What are the top highlights in Zanzibar?
The top highlights in Zanzibar include Stone Town, Nungwi & Kendwa Beach, Spice Tour, Jozani Forest, Forodhani Night Market.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Stone Town
The UNESCO old town is a labyrinth of narrow streets, spice markets, the sultan's palace, and the former slave market – best explored with a guide.
Nungwi & Kendwa Beach
The most beautiful beaches at the northern tip: white sand, warm water without tide issues, and spectacular sunsets.
Spice Tour
Zanzibar is the 'Spice Island' – on a farm tour, you can taste, smell, and see how vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and pepper grow.
Jozani Forest
The last rainforest of Zanzibar, home to the rare Red Colobus monkeys – found only here in the world.
Forodhani Night Market
Every evening, the harbor of Stone Town transforms into a food market: grilled octopus, Zanzibar pizza, and sugarcane juice.
Hotels in Zanzibar
Compare thousands of hotels, apartments and resorts on Expedia – with price guarantee, free cancellation and reward points.
* You will be redirected to Expedia.de. Their terms of use apply.
Reise-SIM für Zanzibar
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?
The best time to visit Zanzibar is June–October (dry, cool), December–February (hot, dry). Hot and humid, 28–35 °C, main rainy season March–May (lots of rain), short rainy season November In winter: Warm and dry, 25–30 °C (June–October), pleasant breeze, perfect for beach and sightseeing
Recommended travel time
June–October (dry, cool), December–February (hot, dry)
Summer
Hot and humid, 28–35 °C, main rainy season March–May (lots of rain), short rainy season November
Winter
Warm and dry, 25–30 °C (June–October), pleasant breeze, perfect for beach and sightseeing
How much does a holiday in Zanzibar cost?
Budget travellers: 25–45 €/day, mid-range: 60–120 €/day, luxury: 200–600 €/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
25–45 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
60–120 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
200–600 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Zanzibar?
Flight to Zanzibar (ZNZ) with a stop (Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Doha) in 10–14 hours. Visa on arrival ($50) or e-visa.
Book a package holiday to Zanzibar
Compare thousands of package holidays to Zanzibar and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Zanzibar?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Explore Stone Town with a local guide – the streets are confusing and a guide tells the stories behind the carved doors.
On the east coast (Paje, Jambiani), the tides are extreme – at low tide, the water retreats 1 km. Nungwi does not have this problem.
Try Zanzibar pizza at the Forodhani Market – it's not real pizza, but a type of stuffed crepe, unique and delicious.
A dhow sailing trip at sunset is the most romantic experience in Zanzibar – bookable from $20 in Stone Town.
What should you eat in Zanzibar?
Typical specialities in Zanzibar: Zanzibar Pizza — A street crepe filled with meat, egg, cheese, and vegetables – unique to Zanzibar and best at the Forodhani Market., Octopus Curry — Fresh octopus in coconut milk curry with spices – the island's specialty, available in every restaurant., Pilau — Spiced rice with cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, and meat – the spice island on a plate., Urojo (Zanzibar Mix) — A unique soup/stew made from mango, potatoes, bhajia, chili, and coconut milk – sweet, sour, and spicy at the same time., Spice Tea — Tea with fresh island spices: ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves – aromatic and warming..
These specialties you must try!
Ready for Zanzibar?
Plan your Zanzibar holiday now with our free tools.
