Zanzibar Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Zanzibar, Tanzania, TZ, East Africa)

Religious buildings, historic sites and family friendly destinations all make up the top tourist attractions of Zanzibar. Among them are places that have sombre links to the country's former involvement in the slave trade.

There are also opportunities, though, to find out more about Zanzibar's current involvement in wildlife conservation, spice production and the preservation of the country's rich national heritage.

In Stone Town itself, notable attractions worth searching out include those of the Anglican Cathedral of Christ Church, the Livingstone House, the Malindi Mosque and the Shakti Temple, amongst many others.

Mangapwani Slave Chamber

Address: Mangapwani, Zanzibar, Tanzania, TZ, Africa
A short distance from the Mangapwani Coral Cave is the Slave Chamber, an underground cell that was originally built for a wealthy slave trader to house his slaves. From here, the slaves were sent to be sold at Zanzibar's infamous slave market. It is still believed by some historians that, even after the abolition of slavery, the chamber was still very much in use.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Livingstone House

Address: Bububu Road, Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania, TZ, Africa
Built around 1860 for Sultan Said Majid, this leading tourist attraction once served as a useful headquarters for missionaries and explorers. Among them was one Dr. David Livingstone, who by all accounts, stayed here before embarking on his final expedition into the interior of East Africa. The house was bought by the colonial government in 1947. Today, this historic building is occupied by the country's tourist authority.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Shakti Temple

Address: Hurumzi Street, Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania, TZ, Africa
Once home to a large congregation of Hindu worshippers in Stone Town, this towering white-washed temple rarely welcomes large crowds nowadays. Its bells can be heard every morning and evening, though, and are a distinctive sound in the maze of alleyways making up Stone Town.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Malindi Mosque

Address: Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania, TZ, Africa
Also sometimes known as the Mnara Mosque, this religious attraction rates as one of the oldest of Stone Town's mosques. Built to a simple design, the mosque is rather unusual in its appearance. Unlike most other African mosques, its minaret is conical in shape and the building itself is seated on a platform.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Anglican Cathedral of Christ Church

Address: Mkunazini Road, Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania, TZ, Africa
Stone Town's Anglican Cathedral dates back to the final years of the 19th century and has close links to the abolition of slavery. Located on Mkunazini Road and just off Market Street, the cathedral itself is built on the site that once served as the largest slave market in Zanzibar. Nearby you will find an Internet cafe, a coffee shop and various restaurants, such as the very tourist-friendly Lukmaan Restaurant. The historic Hamamni Persian Baths are also within walking distance and date from the 1870s.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Kizimbani Spice Farm

Address: Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania, TZ, Africa
No visit to Zanzibar would be complete without a visit to one of its many spice plantations. Kizimbani is a town on the main island of Unguja. A tour of the Kizimbani Spice Farm offers a chance to explore the world of spices at close quarters, not just in terms of smell and taste, but also in the way that they are used. Cardamom, ginger, nutmeg and cloves are among the many plants grown here. Visitors can also see such exotic fruit as passion fruit, jack fruit and breadfruit in their natural growing habitat. Spice tours that include Kizimbani can be booked at most hotels in Stone Town.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Kidichi Persian Baths

Address: Kidichi, Zanzibar, Tanzania, TZ, Africa
The Kidichi Persian Baths are to be found only a short distance out of Stone Town, just along the coast road. Built for the use of Sultan Said and his wife in the mid 19th century, the bath house is a fine example of decorative stucco work. Sadly, tourists will find that the attraction itself has not been well maintained over the years. The interior would once have been illuminated by stained-glass windows, although these have long since disappeared. Visitors can explore the baths, including the changing room, bathing pool and massage tables.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Forodhani Park

Address: Mizingani Road, Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania, TZ, Africa
The recently restored Forodhani Park is the main public space in Stone Town. It is a place where people come to buy and sell, talk and socialise. The park was once the location of the city's main port, being enhanced by its attractive coastal setting. Nearby attractions are in good supply and include the House of Wonders, the Old Fort and Cultural Centre, and the Mashariki Palace Hotel.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Zanzibar Butterfly Centre

Address: Pete, Zanzibar, Tanzania, TZ, Africa
Located just a short distance from the Jozani National Park, this has to be the largest collection of butterflies in East Africa. As well as being able to observe the butterflies in action in a netted enclosure, there are plenty of explanatory signs. Expert guides are also on hand to explain the delicate ecology of the butterflies' habitat and their life-cycle. It is well worth taking your camera along.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Nungwi Natural Aquarium

Address: Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania, TZ, Africa
Situated close to the lighthouse at Nungwi, this small aquarium attraction was set up around a natural tidal pool as a place of conservation for Zanzibar's marine turtle population. Information is clearly displayed, explaining all about the lives of these attractive shelled creatures and the efforts being made to protect them. Visitors can also observe pythons and lizards in landscaped enclosures.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge