Discover Zanzibar City

The historic old town combines Arab, Indian, European and African architectural elements in a tight maze of alleys with elaborately carved wooden doors, and was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000 for its unique Swahili coastal trading architecture.

In the 19th century, Zanzibar was the world's largest producer of cloves, and guided spice farm tours around the city still show the cultivation of vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper up close.

On the site of what was once East Africa's largest slave market now stands the Anglican Christ Church Cathedral, whose museum and original underground chambers serve as a poignant reminder of this dark chapter of history.

Every evening, the Forodhani Gardens waterfront transforms into a bustling street food market where freshly grilled fish, Zanzibar pizza and exotic fruit juices can be sampled right by the sea at sunset.

Zanzibar Airport is served multiple times daily from Dar es Salaam and other Tanzanian cities. Alternatively, fast ferries run from Dar es Salaam, completing the crossing in about two hours.

The historic old town combines Arab, Indian, European and African architectural elements in a tight maze of alleys with elaborately carved wooden doors, and was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000 for its unique Swahili coastal trading architecture.

In the 19th century, Zanzibar was the world's largest producer of cloves, and guided spice farm tours around the city still show the cultivation of vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper up close.

On the site of what was once East Africa's largest slave market now stands the Anglican Christ Church Cathedral, whose museum and original underground chambers serve as a poignant reminder of this dark chapter of history.