The best of Zanzibar
WHetHer you’re looking for somewhere to relax after climbing Kilimanjaro or just want to hang out in an island paradise, Zanzibar island has a lot to offer!
This island is located off the eastern coast of Africa and it has a rich history as a trading outpost and a colony, meaning there are many more things to do in Zanzibar besides just hitting the beach.
i visited Zanzibar after climbing Kilimanjaro. After the trek, we were exhausted and all we wanted to do was chill on the beach or near a pool. But after a day of relaxation, we decided to discover the island a bit and check out some Zanzibar tourist attractions.
if you’re already planning a trip, congratulations! if you’re just looking around for your next adventure, keep reading, you will get inspired! i’ll give you my handpicked list of what to do in Zanzibar for a week or less, depending on how long you’re planning on staying.
so, let’s find out what to do in Zanzibar and what i recommend seeing and doing in the city, based on my experience!
Hakuna Matata, here’s a list of Zanzibar activities you shouldn’t miss:
Check out Stone Town
People have been living on the island for over 20,000 years, but stone town is the central point of Zanzibar. Because of its location off the coast and its sheltered harbor, stone town turned from a fishing village into a trading center.
The island also was governed by many colonial rulers, from Portugal to oman to great Britain, until it became independent in 1963.
As a trading center, the island has plenty of cultural influences from colonizers and traders from india and Arab countries. slavery also affected the island as it was used as a port to send slaves abroad while hundreds of slaves also worked on plantations on the island.
A long history of slave trading and a rich colonial heritage – these are just some of the reasons why i found stone town so fascinating to visit!
it’s a mix of African, Arabic, and colonial styles all packed into one city. Because of all the unique influences, stone town was actually declared a UnesCo World Heritage site in 2000!
The best way to get a feel for this city is to wander around the narrow maze of streets. You’ll definitely get lost, but that’s half the fun!
You’ll also probably be able to tell quickly that a lot of things haven’t been properly maintained since the colonial era. The older facades of the buildings are part of what gives stone town it’s unique charm!
stone town itself is fairly small with a population of just 16,000 residents living inside the city in 2016. The town’s economy is now primarily based on tourism and it is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in tanzania.
Prison island
As i mentioned before, the island has a dark past. This market was the last functioning slave market in the world and it only closed in 1873. Although this might seem like a bit of a downer, it’s an important part of the history of the region.
Thousands of Africans were brought to the island as slaves to work on plantations. slave traders also used the island as a base camp before sending slaves on the long journey to the east to be sold in Persia, Arabia, the ottoman empire, and egypt.
At the slave Museum, you can tour chambers where they kept slaves before they were sold.
We went down to see the “rooms” where slaves were kept – a 12 by 12 foot basement with one tiny window near the ceiling. They kept over 30 people in these types of rooms. Although this happened hundreds of years ago it still gave me shivers as i stood there!
You might need a pick-me-up after, but it’ll help you understand more about the island and its people.
The museum is open every day from 8am to 6pm. There is a $5 UsD entrance fee and you can expect to spend about an hour in the museum.
Because the city is right on the water, something you HAVe to do while in stone town is to enjoy the amazing view from a rooftop!
After a long day of taking in the sites and the culture, i recommend finding a rooftop restaurant for dinner and a drink as the sun sets.
i recommend The tea House restaurant. it’s a great place to see the sunset, but make sure to make a reservation in advance! The restaurant gets busy with other tourists who want to enjoy the view as well.
Another option is The Beach House restaurant, which has an amazing outdoor balcony overlooking the water. The food is a mix of italian, French, and Mediterranean and it’s delicious! You can also check out 6 Degrees south, which is perfect for a romantic dinner looking out at the ocean.
Wander around Darajani Market
While around you’re there, why not wander the main bazaar in town? You’ll definitely get a taste for life in Zanzibar – and a whiff as well! i found the market to be a really authentic experience.
There is an indoor section of the market, but also a lot of pop-up vendors on the surrounding streets. You’ll be able to experience a lot of traditional Zanzibar food and ingredients, as well as admire clothes, shoes, and traditional hats.
Although i wouldn’t call these actual “gardens,” this is the central square of stone town. it has lots of trees and is a hotspot for locals and tourists alike. i recommend going after sunset and enjoying the street food market. to get the full experience, look around for the stands that have the longest lines of locals and try some authentic Zanzibar dishes here (this means the food is good!).
it might take you a while to find it as it’s among the narrow streets, but Jaws Corner is a small plaza. You can stop by and try the Arabic-style local coffee. Just be prepared – it’s definitely not like a cup of coffee with cream and sugar like you might be used to! it’s typically served black and bitter, and it is VerY strong. — Miss Yulia
•to
be continued next week