5 best things to do in Zanzibar
The essentials of Zanzibar with the booking notes that actually matter — which tickets sell out, which slots are quietest, which formats reward the advance purchase. Every booking happens with the provider you choose.
Browse all Zanzibar activities
Attractions, tours, day trips and transport passes from major providers — instant mobile tickets.
The Zanzibar shortlist
- Stone Town heritage walk — the carved doors, the old fort and the slave-trade memorial.
- Spice farm tour — the island’s spice history, tasted from the tree.
- Prison Island boat trip — giant Aldabra tortoises and snorkelling off the old quarantine isle.
- Safari Blue sandbank day — the dhow cruise, sandbank lunch and snorkel stops in Menai Bay.
- Nungwi & Kendwa beaches — the north-coast swimming beaches; sunset dhow cruise at Kendwa.
Flying in, Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) serves the city — attraction districts sit 30–60 minutes away at typical city speeds.
Compare Zanzibar activity providers
- Klook — Zanzibar activities — the widest catalogue, instant QR tickets, strong on transport passes and day trips.
- KKday — Zanzibar experiences — local-led formats and small-group tours.
- Tiqets — museums and landmarks with instant mobile entry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one thing to do in Zanzibar?
Stone Town heritage walk — the carved doors, the old fort and the slave-trade memorial. Start there, then build the itinerary around it.
Do I need to book Zanzibar attractions in advance?
The headline attractions reward advance booking — timed-entry systems and quota tickets mean walk-up availability is worst exactly when you want to visit. Everything on this page links to providers showing live availability.
How many days do you need in Zanzibar?
Three to four days covers the shortlist above at a humane pace for a first visit; add days for the day-trip formats rather than compressing the city itself.
Is a city pass worth it in Zanzibar?
Run the arithmetic honestly: a pass wins when you would genuinely visit three-plus ticketed attractions in its window. Our provider links show pass options side by side with single tickets — compare before committing.