Zanzibar
Stone Town's carved doors and merchant houses give Zanzibar City its historic core. UNESCO has listed the old town as a World Heritage Site since 2000.
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Zanzibar City is the capital of Zanzibar and the largest city on Unguja, the main island of the Zanzibar Archipelago. It lies on Unguja's west coast, facing the Indian Ocean, and sits north of Dar es Salaam across the Zanzibar Channel. The city has two parts. Stone Town is the old core and was the seat of the Zanzibar Sultanate. Ng'ambo, meaning "The Other Side," grew up after the Zanzibar Revolution and holds office buildings and large apartment blocks.
Stone Town draws many visitors each year. Its multi-storey houses were built by wealthy Arab merchant families, many with richly carved doors. Landmarks include an old fort and an Anglican cathedral built on the site of a former slave market, and the city was a major East African slave-trading port, so that history is part of any walk here. The House of Wonders, Beit al Ajaib, collapsed in December 2020, so check its status before you go. Expect an average of about 26.9°C. The main rains fall March to May, with a shorter season in November and December, and the longer dry season runs June to October.
Zanzibar in five
- Buy the compulsory insuranceVisitors to Zanzibar, except residents, must have inbound travel insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation. Your own policy is not accepted, and you may be refused entry without it.Zanzibar insurance
- Choose your beach by the tideOn the east coast the sea goes far out at low tide. Nungwi and Kendwa in the north are swimmable at most tides.
- Dress modestly in Stone TownCover shoulders and knees away from the beach, especially during Ramadan.
- Take the ferry from Dar es SalaamFast ferries take about two hours from Dar es Salaam to Stone Town. You pass Zanzibar immigration on arrival.
Things to do in Zanzibar
See all attractions in Zanzibar
Need to know
- Airport
- Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ), about 15 min to Stone Town
- Getting there
- Flights from Europe, the Gulf and Arusha; ferries from Dar es Salaam
- Getting around
- Taxis and private transfers; dala-dala minibuses
- Best base
- Stone Town for two nights, then the north or east coast
- Time needed
- 4–6 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Hot, dryJanuaryRain
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- FebruaryRain13 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°Hot, dryFebruaryRain
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- MarchRain20 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°HumidMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 124 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Humid
- AprilRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Long rainsAprilRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 441 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long rains
- MayRain21 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Long rainsMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 225 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long rains
- JuneRain17 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Dry, breezyJuneRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- JulyRain19 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Dry, breezyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- AugustRain16 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°DryAugustRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- SeptemberRain16 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°DrySeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- OctoberRain18 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°WarmOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 95 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- NovemberRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Short rainsNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 124 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short rains
- DecemberRain21 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°HotDecemberRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 109 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
Average daily high and low in Zanzibar, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Zanzibar
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 85%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 97%
Stone Town
12:59 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today31°25°97%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Wed31°25°82%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Thu32°24°79%Thursday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 79%.
- Fri32°25°65%Friday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Sat32°25°69%Saturday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Sun32°24°67%Sunday: Clear. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 67%.
Updated 09:09 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 2,635 TZS
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Jozani forestabout 1 hour by carRed colobus monkeys and a mangrove boardwalk.
- Spice farmabout 30 min by car from Stone TownClove, nutmeg and vanilla on a guided walk.
- Prison Islandabout 30 min by boatGiant tortoises and snorkeling off Stone Town.
Before you go to Zanzibar
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Rules for Zanzibar, checked
- All visitors to Zanzibar except residents need inbound travel insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation; other policies are not accepted.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
Plan around Zanzibar
Mainland parks, entry rules and seasons
Read the guideSerengeti National ParkSafari first, then the beach
Read the guideKilimanjaroRest here after a summit climb
Read the guideTravel insuranceAdd your own cover to the state policy
Read the guideVisas and entryCheck the rule for your passport
Read the guideGetting around East AfricaFerries, flights and transfers
Read the guideZanzibar FAQ
Is Zanzibar travel insurance mandatory?
Yes. Visitors, except residents, must hold inbound insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation. Other travel insurance policies are not accepted, and you may be refused entry without the right cover.
Which Zanzibar beach is best?
Nungwi and Kendwa for swimming at any tide, Paje and the east coast for kitesurfing and quieter stays.
How many days do I need in Zanzibar?
Two nights in Stone Town and three or four on a beach. Add more if you are resting after a safari.
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?
The drier months from about June to October and December to February are the most popular. The long rains in roughly March to May bring heavy showers and some closures.
Can you combine Zanzibar with a safari?
Yes, and it is the standard pairing. Fly from Arusha or the Serengeti to Zanzibar after the safari and spend three or four nights on the beach.