Where to stay Zanzibar – Best Areas & Hotels for Every Budget

Before you start looking for a hotel in Zanzibar, I would like to share some information about the island with you.

Zanzibar is a group of islands off the east coast of Africa, part of Tanzania. It consists of just two islands, Unguja and Pemba. The island of Unguja is often referred to as Zanzibar. The island’s capital and largest city is Zanzibar City. Zanzibar’s main industries are spice cultivation, raffia (palm wood products), seaweed and of course, tourism. For this reason, Zanzibar is often called the Spice Island.

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Popular destinations

Where to stay Zanzibar – Map

The island of Zanzibar can basically be divided into two parts:

• the west coast and
• the east coast.

The west coast, which faces the mainland, is not as busy as the east coast, which borders the Indian Ocean.
This is because the east coast is white sandy and often sunnier. On this coast, the northern beaches are more crowded because you can swim at low tide and high tide.

On the southern parts of the east coast, you can walk hundreds of metres into the ocean bed at low tide and take the opportunity to explore the reef! In the water you can see fish, sea cucumbers, starfish and many other curious sea creatures. 

Map of Zanzibar

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Popular destinations

North coast: Nungwi, Kendwa
North-east coast: Matemwe, Pwani Mchangani, Kiwengwa, Pongwe
East coast: Michamvi, Bwejuu, Paje, Jambiani
South coast: Kizimkazi
West coast: Stone Town

See the description of each town and village for accommodation recommendations. 

TIP!
For longer holiday, it is advisable to book accommodation in different parts of Zanzibar so that you can explore the island with less travel. 
Pro TiPP – Choose Kendwa on the north coast and Paje on the south-east coast.

Description of the regions

1. North Coast

The palm-fringed coastal villages of Nungwi and Kendwa at the northern tip of the Zanzibar. These are the island’s most popular destinations and can get quite crowded during the high season.
You can swim almost all day, because the tide is the least noticeable here. There are plenty of activities, from boat trips to diving.

Nungwi

One of the island’s most famous and popular beaches is Nungwi.

Pros:

• The sea is a beautiful turquoise blue.
• The tide is less noticeable than on the east side of the island and there is hardly any algae.
• Naturally, this is where most tourists are, so there are many bars and restaurants on the beaches.

Cons:

• Unfortunately, as beautiful as the beach and water are, Nungwi is very crowded.
• There are few areas where you can relax on your own without being disturbed by “beach boys” or other tourists. This is the price to pay for choosing such a paradise as a destination.
• However, when choosing accommodation, be aware that only the western part of Nungwi is not affected by tidal fluctuations (near Kendwa). Feel free to look it up on a google map, as there are some places where the restaurants and hotels are stand on stilts. This means that at high tide the beach almost disappears and the rocks are lapped up by the water.

TIP! Nungwi and Kendwa provide the most beautiful sunsets on the island.

Kendwa

Not far from Nungwi is Kendwa, where there are several pleasant resorts and more expensive hotels. Perfect for swimming, snorkelling, diving, sunbathing and relaxing!

Pros:

• Kendwa beach has the unique feature that the ocean tides do not change compared to other beaches.
• The popular Full Moon Party is held here every month.

Cons:

• Hotels with good value sell out quickly.

Best things to do & Must-See Places in Zanzibar

2. North-East coast

This coast is subject to strong tidal fluctuations. There are fewer restaurants and shopping facilities but excellent for a relaxing holiday. As it is not far from Nungwi, you can always hop in a taxi and watch the famous sunset.

Pros:

• Quiet environment, with few tourists.
• Thanks to the tide, you can easily explore the wildlife of the Oceans.
• Accommodation prices are much more affordable. 

Cons:

• You can’t swim in the ocean all day because of the tides, but luckily most hotels have pools.
• There are fewer restaurants and shopping facilities. 

Matemwe

One of themost beautiful coral beaches in the world is Matemwe, located about 30 kilometres from Nungwi. The proximity of Mnemba Island attracts amateur and professional divers. It is much quieter than the north, with fewer hotels and less crowded. It is worth taking long walks along the beach and visiting the local fish market.

Matemwe beach is not as vast and famous as the beaches of Kendwa, Nungwi or Paje, but it’s perfect for relaxing, snorkelling and wildlife spotting at low tide! 

Pwani Mchangani

If you don’t mind the tide, this is one of the windiest beaches on the east coast, which is also perfect for kiteboarding.

Zanzibar Weather – when to visit Zanzibar?

Kiwengwa

This is one of the whitest and longest beaches in the eastern part of Unguja. Perfect for swimming, sunbathing, kiteboarding, etc. Kiwengwa beach is sometimes called “little Italy” as the hotels and resorts here welcome many tourists from Italy. 

On this stretch of coast, there are also some popular beaches such as Pongwe, Uroa, Marumbi.

Popular Programs

Why do I recommend Get Your Guide website or app? Because it offers free cancellation. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund!

3. East coast

Some say the east coast has the best beaches in Zanzibar. There are typically fewer tourists than on the north coast (Nungwi and Kendwa), with idyllic beaches such as Bwejuu, Pingwe, Paje and Jambiani.

Pros:

• You can try water sports.
• It also has more lively, bustling and calmer areas.
• Cheaper than Nungwi and Kendwa, you can easily find good value accommodation.

Cons:

• Remember that you can’t swim here at low tide, but you can take long walks along the beach. 

Michamvi

The Michamvi peninsula is the perfect choice for honeymooners. It’s a secluded area on the south-east coast, offering a quiet and peaceful beach experience. Next to Nungwi and Kendwa, it has the most beautiful sunsets. Michamvi is home to first class resorts and luxury hotels.  Michamvi Pingwe beach (eastern side) is home to the famous The Rock restaurant. Michamvi Kae (western side) is the only beach in the south-east of Zanzibar where you can see the fabulous sunset.

Zanzibar Best Beaches – Ultimate Guide to Paradise Shores

Bwejuu

Located on the eastern side of the island, Bwejuu beach is known for its tall palm trees and small, scattered hotels. If you like solitude, few tourists and uninterrupted long walks, this place is a guaranteed hit. During the winter months, the sea washes up algae on the shore, but this does not detract from its beauty. It is the best choice for relaxation and recreation.

Paje

If you head south of Bwejuu, you will end up at Paje beach. Paje is a beautiful seaside village with a long and wide white sandy beach, beachfront accommodation and restaurants. Thanks to the strong winds, it is a mecca for water sports. There are many more young people here, bars, shops and kite surfers dot the beach. If you’re a fan of the sport or would like to try it, Paje is the ideal place for you – kitesurf schools, instructors and rental shops are almost everywhere.

Jambiani

The tiny fishing village of Jambiani is ideally located between the towns of Paje and Makunduch, on the south-east coast of Zanzibar. Made up of a few small villages, this stretch of coast is a quieter destination, but there are many restaurants, hotels and guesthouses.

The area is a popular destination for its authentic atmosphere. It is also known for its seaweed farming activities, where locals are happy to share their knowledge of this vital source of agriculture with tourists. On the outskirts of the municipality of Jambiani is the Kuza Caves, a small cave that resembles a Mexican cenote.

Explore more Zanzibar travel tips on my blog – Check it Now

4. West coast

Zanzibar City / Stone Town

Many old colonial buildings line the narrow labyrinthine streets. This is the best place to sample Zanzibari cuisine and learn about the island’s history. If you are planning to spend a longer time on the island, consider spending 1-2 nights in Zanzibar City.

Pros:

• If you want to get to know the history of Zanzibar, it is worth spending a day or two here.

Cons:

• There are no miles of white sand beach.

5. South Coast

Kizimkazi

The tides at Kizimkazi Beach are super dramatic, so there are fewer tourists here than on the previous beaches on this list. Many tourists book boat trips and travel here for a day to swim with dolphins and dive. As this part of the island is not so built up, it is a great place to spend some quiet time stargazing without light pollution. 

Pros: Calm environment, perfect for relaxation. Here you can swim with dolphins.

Cons: It is far from the main attractions of the island.

Summary

Where to stay in Zanzibar

There are two things to consider before choosing a hotel in Zanzibar.

• What you want to do during your holiday – just relax, partying occasionally, water sports specifically, or all of the above.
• The other factor is how much time you want to spend on the beach each day. For example, many people specifically look for a place where there is no tide and you can swim all day.

If you’re going for a week or more, I recommend booking accommodation in two different parts of the island, as it’s a unique experience to walk into the water at low tide and explore the ocean life.

• Hustle and bustle places: Paje, Nungwi or Kendwa are recommended.
• Do you want peace? Matemwe, Jambinai or Bwejuu.
• Looking for comfortable hotels and like to swim in the ocean? Kendwa is the best choice.
• Are you a fan of water sports? Book a hotel on the beaches of Kiwengwa, Paje or Kizimkazi (diving).
• If you want to experience the more authentic side of the island: Matemwe or Jambiani.
• Are you going on a honeymoon? Choose Kendwa or Michamvi.

Chumbe Island Coral Park

A hidden gem a few kilometers off the coast of Zanzibar.

If you are looking for a really special place to stay then I recommend Chumbe Island Coral Park. Chumbe Island is a fully protected private island, off the coast of Zanzibar, home to a stunning Coral Reef Sanctuary and Forest Reserve.

Chumbe Island has seven stunning solar-powered eco-bungalows that blend perfectly with the surrounding nature. Island has a Visitor and Education centre and activities in the park include snorkeling, nature trails and historical ruins such as the old lighthouse. All overnights on Chumbe Island are full board (excluding alcoholic beverages). 

Don’t forget to book in advance!

Chumbe Island Coral Park

Source: Wandering Linda
Photos: Wandering Linda
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