7-Day Zanzibar Travel Guide (Follow Our Zanzibar Itinerary!)

Our ultimate guide to spending 7 days in Zanzibar! Here’s why we think this stunning African island with white beaches, glittering oceans, and a unique history should be at the top of your bucket list.

This past August, we spent an epic month in Africa for our honeymoon. We started with seven days in Zanzibar and then continued on to other amazing destinations like Serengeti National Park and Gorilla trekking in Uganda.

Out of all the places we visited on our honeymoon – Zanzibar has sparked the most interest from our readers. With lots of questions coming through on our emails and social media about the beautiful island of Zanzibar. And of course, it’s sparked interest – the beaches here are like something from a travel brochure. Zanzibar truly has everything you could want for a tropical getaway!

But, there’s so much more to Zanzibar than its stunning beaches. For one, Stone Town (the biggest city on the island) is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is filled with narrow alleys lined with historic buildings, bustling markets, and aromatic spice shops. And Jozani Forest is also a must-visit to encounter the rare red colobus monkeys

So, in this piece, we will aim to answer all of your questions and give you lots of advice for your planned 7 days in Zanzibar.

7 Days in Zanzibar Itinerary

This 7 days in Zanzibar itinerary has it all – from a relaxing few days on Jambiani and Paje beaches in the beginning, a day trip to Jozani Forest, and a few days in bustling Stone Town, at the end!

Days 1-2: Relax on Jambiani Beach

We spent 3 nights on Jambiani Beach, which is one of the best beaches in Zanzibar – on the Southeast of the island and 3 nights in Stone Town. This itinerary worked out perfectly for us because it meant we spent our first few days relaxing on the white sand beaches here. We wanted to de-stress after our wedding in Italy, and, so doing nothing more than swimming, eating, and drinking cocktails on Jambiani was just what the doctor ordered.

Jambiani Beach is also a popular snorkeling and diving spot so if you get bored of sunbathing, eating and drinking, and going for long beach strolls you could try your hand at one or both of these activities. The waters surrounding Jambiani are a colorful underwater world filled with vibrant coral reefs and abundant marine life. And if you’re looking for a thrill, kite surfing is a great option. It’s really popular here thanks to the reliable winds and warm waters.

Beyond the beach, you can immerse yourself in the local culture by taking a walk through the tiny village nearby. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about the island’s rich traditions and meet the friendly locals. And if you’re a seafood fan, the restaurants along the beach serve up incredible fresh seafood.

The sunsets on this side of the island are epic too and we’re so glad we made the effort to watch the sunset every night from the jetty at Spice Island in Jambiani.

Day 3: Paje Beach & The Rock Restaurant

Today, we recommend checking out a different beach – Paje Beach is just over a 10-minute drive from Jambiani Beach but it has a livelier vibe. Like, Jambiani – Paje Beach is a haven for kitesurfers and you’ll see lots of classes taking place along the beach.

We decided to just chill out for the day here, we sunbathed, swam, and had an awesome lunch and coffee at ZanziBarista along the beach!

Have dinner at The Rock Restaurant:

Our suggested dinner spot tonight is an absolute must-visit in Zanzibar! And it’s located not too far from Paje Beach (around a 20-minute drive).

We highly recommend booking the Rock Restaurant in advance as it is extremely popular. We advise booking your table at least two weeks prior, especially if you want a dinner sitting. The Rock Restaurant is pricey, but in our opinion, it’s worth the price tag. The cuisine is best described as fresh Zanzibar seafood with an Italian twist. You can order non-fish items on the menu too. In fact, I ordered the vegetarian ravioli, and it was yummy!

We also ordered the house wine, which has a beautiful label featuring the restaurant at sunset (we peeled this off and took it home for our memory box).

Depending on the tides, you may be able to walk to the Rock restaurant, or the restaurant will collect you on their boat if the tide is in. Your hotel will need to organize a taxi for you as the Rock restaurant is quite far from most places. Your driver will wait for you in the car park until you’re finished. Our taxi cost $40 USD return from Jambiani.

Where to stay in Jambiani:

Why not treat yourself to a ‘fancy’ hotel for your time in Zanzibar – ideally on the beach? We chose the Spice Island Resort in Jambiani. The unique selling point for the Spice Island Resort is the jetty extending into the bright blue Indian Ocean. You can sunbathe on the jetty, swim off its wooden steps, or enjoy a cocktail at sundown.

The hotel also has a large swimming pool, a Spa, and a large restaurant. They were also nice enough to organize a private dinner on the beach for our honeymoon. A very special touch.

Day 4: Jozani Forest

The nearby Jozani Forest is also worth a visit during your stay in Jambiani and we recommend doing it on day four – after you’ve squeezed in lots of lazy beach time. This forest is home to the endangered red colobus monkey and this type of monkey is only found here! It’s just over a 30-minute drive from Jambiani.

A visit to Jozani Forest that also includes the chance to see dolphins and as part of this 6-hour tour, you’ll get to not only visit the jungle but also go swimming with wild dolphins and have a traditional Swahili lunch.

Days 5-7: Stone Town

After a relaxing few days in Jambiani and Paje, our time in Stone Town felt pretty jam-packed as there’s so much to see. We recommend visiting the Old Slave Market, doing a boat tour to Prison Island to see the giant tortoises and visiting the Darajani market. In the evening make sure you head to the beach to watch the sunset preferably at one of the many bars and restaurants dotted along the beach. We liked The Beach House.

Go on a tour to Prison Island:

Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island is a charming island just a stone’s throw away from Stone Town. Despite its rather foreboding name, the island has a fascinating and rich history. Originally bought by the Sultan of Zanzibar in the 1860s with the idea of turning it into a prison, it ended up serving a different purpose altogether. Instead of housing criminals, it became a quarantine station for yellow fever cases in the late 19th century.

One of the highlights of the island today is that it is a sanctuary for giant Aldabra tortoises, some of which are over 100 years old! You can take photos with them and honestly they are huge – I felt like some were bigger than me!

While you’re here, you can also wander through the remnants of the old quarantine buildings.

This is the same tour to Prison Island that we did – you can BOOK IT here!

Wander through Darajani Market:

Darajani Market is truly a gem in the heart of Stone Town, Zanzibar. When you step inside, it feels like you’ve been transported into the vibrant pulse of local life. This market, which has been around since the early 20th century, is where locals and curious travelers come together, all in search of that special Zanzibari experience.

As you wander through its lively alleys, you’ll find everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to colorful textiles and handmade crafts. The air is thick with the tantalizing scents of spices like cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon—these aren’t just ingredients; they tell the story of Zanzibar’s rich trading history.

You can’t help but be captivated by the sights and sounds surrounding you. The chatter of vendors, the laughter of children, and the vibrant colors of the goods create a sensory feast

Go on a sunset tour:

One of the best ways to watch the magnificent Zanzibar sunset is on a traditional Dhow sunset tour from Stone Town. A dhow is a popular boat type used in Zanzibar and is from the Arabian region – it’s very photogenic with its two large, unusual masts.

Where to stay in Stone Town:

In Stone Town, we stayed at the Spicetree by Turaco. And we’re so glad we did – we were upgraded to a Suite and even got a warm chocolate chip cookie on check-in. The Doubletree is centrally located and has an excellent view from the rooftop restaurant Taarab.

Frequently asked questions about spending 7 days in Zanzibar:

What’s the best time of year to visit Zanzibar?

The best time to visit Zanzibar is during the dry season, which runs from June to October, as you are pretty much guaranteed warm weather at this time. The most popular months to visit Zanzibar are July, August, and September when you can expect average daily temperatures of 28 Celsius (82 Fahrenheit).

Avoid visiting in the wet season (from November to February) if possible as you will experience lots of rain. Now, it won’t be raining continuously – there will be breaks in the rain during the afternoon, typically.

Can you swim in the ocean in Zanzibar?

You can definitely swim in the ocean in Zanzibar – in fact, we made sure to swim a few times a day. In the Southeast, where we stayed, the water is gorgeously turquoise, but it can be windy, so the water tends to be choppier. Keep in mind that Paje and Jambiani Beach are very popular windsurfing destinations. When the tide goes out, you can walk over the rock pools for quite a while and spot crabs and small fish. Pretty cool!

Is Zanzibar safe?

We never felt unsafe during our honeymoon in Zanzibar and found the locals to be incredibly friendly and accommodating. However, as with everywhere, we recommend having ‘your wits about you’ when walking on the streets of Stone Town or the beach of Jambiani.

Locals will approach you often, but they are usually just trying to sell you a tour or get you to visit their restaurant or bar. Be polite, smile, and tell them firmly, “No, thank you,” and they tend to leave you alone.

Don’t display flashy jewelry or cameras. Lock your valuables in the safe in your room. If your room doesn’t have one, ask the reception to store your valuables securely.

Above all, be respectful – Zanzibar is a predominantly Muslim nation, so respecting their culture is important. Dressing appropriately, especially for women, is recommended.

How easy is it to get to Zanzibar?

I will admit that I thought it would be a lot more difficult to reach Zanzibar than it actually was. We saved money by flying from London Gatwick via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. You can also fly with Emirates via Dubai and British Airways via Doha. As always, we recommend using Google Flights to find the best flight deal!

From Zanzibar Airport it’s best to book a transfer to your hotel in advance as it can be very expensive if you get a taxi when you get there.

Is Zanzibar good for tourists?

Zanzibar is a fantastic tourist destination. From white beaches, a unique history, and plenty of luxury resorts. Zanzibar is the ultimate spot for your upcoming beach vacation! You will be spoiled with romantic things to do in Zanzibar too – think a sunset cruise in a traditional boat and a traditional cooking class in a beautiful setting. If you’re looking for the most romantic area in Zanzibar the East Coast like Jambiani and Paje have Zanzibar’s prettiest beaches!

Thanks for reading!

As always, if you have any questions about our 7 days in Zanzibar itinerary – please comment in the comment section below and we will get back to you.

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Last Updated on March 14, 2025 by snaphappytravel