Top Free Things to Do in Zanzibar

A relaxing spot in Zanzibar
A relaxing spot in Zanzibar | © astoltz/Pixabay
Gill Lange

There is no need to fork out a small fortune to enjoy the pleasures of Zanzibar. Walking, swimming, sunbathing, exploring markets and learning about history can all come for free if you know where to look. Here is how to make the most of your time in Zanzibar without denting your bank balance. Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Grab a spot on the sand

Tropical paradise in Zanzibar

The eastern and northern shores of Zanzibar are home to amazing beaches with white sand and calm azure waters. Although there are no private beaches on the island, it can be difficult to find the most beautiful spots unless you’re staying at a beach resort. These resorts offer even day-trippers direct access to their stunning shorelines. Some great beaches that are easily accessible include Paje, Bwejuu, Matemwe and Kizimkazi.

speech icon man in bubble

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
speech icon man in bubble
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

Zanzibar coastline

Get the party started

High-quality cocktails

Situated in the north of Zanzibar, Kendwa Beach is not only gorgeous but also boasts bars and restaurants serving everything from cocktails to curries. Things get even more lively here around the time of full moon, when party-goers can be seen dancing the night away. Kendwa’s renowned full moon parties are free and open to everyone, taking place on whichever Saturday happens to be closest to a full moon. An electric atmosphere, pumping music and a party that lasts until dawn are just some of the ingredients that make up this unforgettable experience.

Kendwa Village

Get your window shopping fix

If there is one thing that Zanzibar is definitely not short of, it is colourful outdoor markets. The wide range of spices, fruits, vegetables, fabric and craft work displayed proudly are a sight to see. Even if you don’t want to spend any money, just roaming around these bustling markets and taking in the lively atmosphere can cheer anyone up! If you’re hungry afterwards, make your way to Forodhani Gardens, the ever-popular evening food market.

Visit the Mangapwani caves

The Mangapwani Coral Cave, along with the slave chamber, is a deep natural cavern in the coral-lined rock. The square-shaped rock cell was originally built for holding slaves. Although most visitors explore these caves through an organised tour, it is also possible to make a solo visit. Although the cave has a narrow entrance that can be accessed by a staircase, the slave chamber is more difficult to reach, so those who want to check this out are advised to find a guide. Also keep in mind that exiting the cave is tricky and requires a bit of athletic effort.

Mangapwani Coral Cave and Slave Chamber

Soak in the fishing vibe

Locals fishing for a living

While Chwaka Bay is most often visited by tourists en route to Jozani Forest, which requires an entrance fee, you can enjoy this beautiful fishing village for free. So instead of heading off into the forest to observe colobus monkeys, grab a front row seat along the stunning shoreline. Watch weather-beaten fishermen ply their trade as the sea breeze carries forward the salty smell of freshly caught fish. Tip: there are plenty of monkeys in Chwaka, too, so visitors have a good chance of spotting some without coughing up the entrance fee.

Chwaka Bay

Walk around the city by yourself

Ornate doorway in Stone Town

Zanzibar is a relatively small island with only about five main roads that all lead back to the main town. This makes self exploration, without a guide, very much possible. The inner city of Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the cultural and historical heart of the city. Spend a few hours to explore the labyrinthine alleys that wind between ancient buildings and feature a blend of Arabic, African, Indian and European architectural influences.

Stone Town

Fill up on the feel-good drug

Sunbather

Even science backs up the healing power of sunlight! Heliotherapy, as it is known, relies on Vitamin D as a crucial element in the process of healing and maintaining of skin health – and Zanzibar has heaps of this happy drug! Year-round tropical weather means plenty of sun and this translates to every excuse to get out and bask in the rays. Of course, taking the usual precautions is strongly advised, such as using ample amounts of sunscreen, drinking lots of water, and staying away from the rays between the peak hours of 10 am and 3 pm. Remember: working towards a slow glow is better than a painful skin peel!

Interact with the locals

Sunset football on the beach

The sunny and affable outlook of most Tanzanian people means that it is very easy to get to know the them. Better yet, these informal interactions have no time (or money) requirement and are usually spontaneous and genuine. The youth of the country is passionate about football, so taking a ball down to the beach can be a great icebreaker if you want to make some new friends!

culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Edit article