Zanzibar travel itinerary

After arriving in Zanzibar, it is best to focus on getting to your accommodation, checking in and recovering from the long journey. Depending on where you are staying, you can spend the afternoon by the pool, head to the beach or simply explore the immediate surroundings.

Starting the trip this way also gives you a better sense of how you want to spend the following days.

Once you have arrived, it is easier to decide how much time you want to devote to sightseeing and how much to relaxation. 

With a seven-day stay, there is no need to arrange activities just a few hours after landing – there will be plenty of time to explore Zanzibar the following day.

The second day can be dedicated to discovering the historical side of the island. Stone Town is part of Zanzibar City, and its architecture and history reflect the African, Arab, Indian and European influences that have shaped the area over the centuries. Walking through its narrow streets, you can see distinctive Zanzibar doors, historic buildings, Darajani Market and places connected with the island’s past.

It is worth taking your time rather than simply moving from one major attraction to another.

Stone Town is best explored on foot, with time to stop at small shops, cafés and local stalls along the way. If you feel like taking a break after a few hours of sightseeing, you can spend the rest of the day enjoying a relaxed dinner before returning to your hotel.

Zanzibar has long been associated with spices, so a visit to one of the island’s spice plantations is a natural addition to a week-long itinerary. During the tour, you can see how cloves, vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg grow, as well as learn more about their importance to the island’s history and economy.

After the tour, it is a good idea to keep the afternoon relatively relaxed. Instead of adding another attraction to the schedule, you can head to the beach, spend time by the pool or have lunch at the hotel. T

his is also a good day to try local dishes such as fresh seafood, pilau, biryani, chapati and seasonal fruit. Food is an important part of the Zanzibar experience, and locally sourced ingredients also feature on the menus at our properties.

The fourth day can be dedicated to what is one of the main reasons many people come to Zanzibar – the Indian Ocean. Depending on your interests, you can go snorkeling, diving, take a boat trip or visit the area around a coral reef. A cruise on a traditional dhow is another option, particularly if you prefer a slower and more peaceful way to spend time on the water.

When planning these activities, it is important to take the tides into account. Changes in water levels are especially noticeable along the east and southeast coasts, and the appearance of the beach can change considerably within just a few hours. For this reason, some excursions are better planned around the conditions on a particular day rather than booked to a fixed time too far in advance.

After several days by the ocean, you can change direction and visit Jozani Forest. It is the largest forested area in Zanzibar and is particularly known for its red colobus monkeys, a species native to the island. Walking through the forest offers a completely different environment from the coastal scenery most people associate with a Zanzibar holiday.

There is no need to spend the entire day away from the hotel. After returning, leave yourself a few hours to relax, especially if the previous days have been more active.

The sixth day is a good opportunity to slow down and decide in the morning what you actually feel like doing. After several excursions, a leisurely breakfast, some time on the beach, a few hours by the pool or a walk along the coast can be a welcome change of pace. In Jambiani, the rhythm of the day is shaped partly by the tides, which change the appearance of the beach and reveal sections of the ocean floor. Pwani Mchangani, meanwhile, has long beaches and the relaxed atmosphere of a small coastal village.

You can also use this day for one additional activity.

Kitesurfing, a boat trip, a massage or dinner outside the hotel does not have to take up the entire day. Equally, you may simply spend a few hours by the pool and have a late lunch. After more active days, having this freedom can be a welcome way to recharge before the end of your trip.

It is best to keep the final day free from anything too demanding, especially if you are flying home that same day. You can enjoy a relaxed breakfast, take one last walk along the beach, spend some time by the pool or look for local spices and souvenirs. If your flight is in the evening, you may have enough time for lunch or a short visit to a place you did not manage to see earlier.

A full-day excursion to the other side of the island is best avoided on your departure day. Leaving enough time for the transfer to the airport helps prevent unnecessary stress and allows you to finish your stay at a more relaxed pace.

Your choice of accommodation should reflect how you want to spend the rest of your week. Kaskazi Hotel Zanzibar is located on a cliff in Jambiani and offers 32 rooms, an ocean-view pool, a restaurant and a rooftop bar. The beach below the hotel changes with the tides, while the location provides convenient access to the southeastern part of the island.

Tamu Tamu Zanzibar Boutique Hotel

in Pwani Mchangani is an intimate property with ten rooms, two swimming pools and wellness facilities. It is located in a quiet fishing village close to the ocean, making it a good choice for travellers who want to combine sightseeing with relaxation and a more peaceful atmosphere.

For those looking for greater independence, we offer

Aurea Luxury Villas. Villa Jua and Villa Mwezi are located in the eastern part of Zanzibar, in the peaceful Bwejuu/Dongwe area. Each villa has a private pool, a fully equipped kitchen, spacious indoor and outdoor areas, making it suitable for couples as well as families or groups travelling together.

With only seven days, it is better not to treat the itinerary above as a strict schedule. If sightseeing is your main priority, you can combine Stone Town, a spice plantation and Jozani Forest into two more active days. If relaxation matters more, choose two or three main attractions and use the remaining time for the beach, the ocean and the facilities at your accommodation.

The location of your accommodation also makes a difference. Jambiani, Pwani Mchangani and Bwejuu/Dongwe offer slightly different experiences, so it is worth considering where you will be staying when planning your excursions. This can reduce the amount of time spent travelling and leave more of the week for actually enjoying Zanzibar.

Seven days is enough to see some of Zanzibar’s most important places, but not enough to discover every part of the island. When planning your stay, it makes more sense to focus on a few experiences that genuinely interest you than to try to tick every attraction off a list. At World Travelling Company, we can help you choose accommodation that suits your travel style, arrange your transfer and suggest how to divide your time between sightseeing and relaxation. Booking directly also gives you the opportunity to speak with a team that knows our properties and can answer practical questions before your arrival.

Kaskazi Hotel Zanzibar, Tamu Tamu Zanzibar Boutique Hotel and Aurea Luxury Villas offer three different ways to experience Zanzibar. Whether you are looking for ocean views, an intimate atmosphere, wellness facilities or the privacy of your own villa, a well-planned itinerary allows you to make the most of seven days without turning your holiday into a constant journey from one place to another.