Zanzibar City, Tanzania - Travel Guide

By MupDay - the planner that does the research for you.Directions from stop to stop included - all free.

Plan a free trip to Zanzibar City

Updated: 2026-10-11

Zanzibar City is the vibrant heart of Zanzibar Island, blending rich history, lively culture, and tropical beaches. Visit to experience the winding alleys of Stone Town, bustling markets, and unique Swahili heritage.

Top things to do in Zanzibar City

Things to do in Zanzibar City include Forodhani Gardens, Prison Island (Changuu Island), Old Fort. Here are 15 places worth knowing, with a short note on each.

Want all of these sorted into days?

MupDay splits them by proximity and real opening hours, with no zig-zag - directions from stop to stop included. All free.

Build an itinerary for Zanzibar City

A sample 3-day itinerary for Zanzibar City

Here is what 3 days in Zanzibar City look like when the planner builds them - arriving at noon on the first day and flying home at noon on the last. Stops are grouped by proximity so no day doubles back, and the same route can be built for any length, from two days to a week.

Day 1Arrival at noon

Stops
5
Walking
27 min
  1. 1
    Old DispensaryHistoric building
    450 m (🚶 7 min)
  2. 2
    Hamamni Persian BathsBaths
    200 m (🚶 4 min)
  3. 3
    Old Slave MarketMuseum
    150 m (🚶 4 min)
  4. 4
    Darajani MarketMarket · Stone Town
    650 m (🚶 12 min)
  5. 5
    Stone TownCity
Open this itinerary Free, no sign-up - and you can change anything

Day 2

Stops
7
Walking
30 min
  1. 1
    Palace MuseumPalace
    400 m (🚶 6 min)
  2. 2
    Freddie Mercury Museum
    250 m (🚶 5 min)
  3. 3
    House of WondersHistoric building
    50 m (🚶 5 min)
  4. 4
    Old FortFortress
    150 m (🚶 3 min)
  5. 5
    St. Joseph's CathedralChurch
    250 m (🚶 4 min)
  6. 6
    Forodhani GardensPark · Stone Town
    500 m (🚶 7 min)
  7. 7
    Malindi MosqueMosque
Open this itinerary Free, no sign-up - and you can change anything

Day 3Return at noon

Stops
2
  1. 1
    Prison Island (Changuu Island)Island · Offshore
    6.1 km
  2. 2
    Nakupenda BeachBeach
Open this itinerary Free, no sign-up - and you can change anything

The route assumes the first day starts at noon, after you land, and the last ends at noon, before your flight. It is an example: with your dates the planner builds a route around your landing and your flight home, real opening hours, how you get around and your own preferences.

Frequently asked questions

What are the top things to do in Zanzibar City?

Forodhani Gardens, Prison Island (Changuu Island), Old Fort, Darajani Market, Hamamni Persian Baths, Old Dispensary and 9 more. Forodhani Gardens: A beautiful waterfront park, famous for its lively night food market.

What can you do in 3 days in Zanzibar City?

Day 1: Old Dispensary, Hamamni Persian Baths, Old Slave Market, Darajani Market. Day 2: Palace Museum, Freddie Mercury Museum, House of Wonders, Old Fort. Day 3: Prison Island (Changuu Island), Nakupenda Beach.

Which churches are worth seeing in Zanzibar City?

Churches worth seeing in Zanzibar City: Anglican Cathedral and St. Joseph's Cathedral.

All guides in Tanzania →

All city guides →

Ready to plan Zanzibar City?

Build an itinerary for Zanzibar City