Zanzibar is an island of turquoise waters, carved wooden doors, spices, and tides that can completely transform the landscape within just a few hours.
It’s a small, magical island famous for its turquoise seas, tropical white-sand beaches, carved wooden doors, aromatic spices, and fresh fruit. It is also the birthplace of Freddie Mercury – in Stone Town you can visit his family home.
Tides and Beaches – Important to Know Before You Go
When planning your stay, it’s worth checking the exact location of your hotel. You can’t swim everywhere all day – the tides can make the ocean retreat by up to a kilometer for several hours. The views are spectacular, but if swimming is your priority, choose the north of the island.
Paje and Nungwi – Two Different Worlds
Paje – on the east coast, a mecca for kitesurfers. Wide, calmer beaches and lots of open space.
Nungwi – in the north of the island, my favorite area because of the water colors. Incredible turquoise, but also many hotels and restaurants, mostly run by Italians. It’s hard to relax on the beach because someone is always offering you a tour.
Sometimes you can spot red starfish – if you find one on the sand, gently put it back in the water.
The shells on this island are amazing:
Zanzibar – The Spice Island
For centuries Zanzibar has been famous for spices – cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Spice plantation tours are offered everywhere, yet paradoxically it’s hard to find restaurants serving truly local cuisine. Menus are mostly “for tourists,” especially Italian.
Jozani Forest – Beautiful Nature, Poor Organization
In the center of the island lies Jozani Forest, a reserve where you can see red colobus monkeys. The nature itself is stunning, but the organization is disappointing: long queues, handwritten tickets, and a mandatory guide you only find out about on the spot.
After a short walk you still have to drive to the mangrove forest – which is, however, beautiful.
Stone Town – A Labyrinth of Doors and a Difficult History
The Old Town in Stone Town is a true maze of narrow streets and its famous carved doors.
- Arabic style – rectangular
- Indian style – rounded at the top, often with metal spikes
The spikes were meant to protect against war elephants – today they are only decoration. They come from the Indian state of Gujarat, from where traders arrived in Zanzibar in the 19th century. In reality, they were purely ornamental and symbolic of status, since elephants never lived on the island.
Zanzibar also has a very dark past linked to the slave and ivory trade – traces of it are still visible in the architecture and museums.
Prison Island – Giant Tortoises and Dik-Diks
Near Stone Town lies Prison Island, now home to enormous Aldabra tortoises weighing up to 250 kg and living up to 200 years.
You can also see tiny antelopes called dik-diks – among the cutest animals in the world.
Transport and Prices – The African Paradox
In Zanzibar it’s definitely better to rent a car rather than a scooter – roads are often in poor condition, driving is chaotic, and traffic is left-hand.
Prices are often European, while the standard remains low – for example, $10 for a fridge magnet or very expensive rental of an old car. It’s a sad contrast between the island’s tourist wealth and the real life of its residents. It’s painful that such a beautiful place offers such a low standard of living for its people.
A Restaurant on the Water
And finally, a gem – a tiny Italian restaurant that you can reach by boat. It looks like a perfect summer cottage, but it’s best to book in advance – there are very few tables.
Zanzibar amazes with its colors and scents, but at the same time makes you reflect on the true price of paradise.
Malvina Dunder 
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