Hotels in Zanzibar800+ properties compared
The Spice Island — turquoise waters, white sand, and centuries of Swahili culture
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Hotels in Zanzibar start from $25-50/night across 800+ properties. The best area to stay is Stone Town, ideal for History lovers, culture seekers, foodies. Book on Travorio and pay with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or 100+ cryptocurrencies.
Quick Facts — Hotels in Zanzibar
Budget
$25-50
per night
Mid-Range
$80-180
per night
Luxury
$250-800+
per night
Best Area
Stone Town
History lovers, culture seekers, foodies
Compare 800+ properties in Zanzibar. Pay with crypto or PayPal.
Where to Stay in Zanzibar
Neighborhood guide with prices and local insights
Stone Town
UNESCO World Heritage old town with labyrinthine alleys, carved wooden doors, and rooftop restaurants overlooking the Indian Ocean. The cultural and historical heart of Zanzibar — once the centre of the East African spice trade and Swahili civilization.
$60-180/night
Best for: History lovers, culture seekers, foodies
Nungwi
The lively northern tip of the island with Zanzibar's best sunset beach. Coral reefs just offshore for snorkeling straight from the sand. A mix of backpacker hostels, mid-range hotels, and luxury resorts — the most popular beach area.
$50-200/night
Best for: Beach lovers, snorkelers, social travelers
Kendwa
A quieter, more upscale beach just south of Nungwi. The only west-coast beach without tidal issues — you can swim at any tide. Full Moon parties on the beach once a month draw visitors from across the island.
$80-250/night
Best for: Couples, honeymooners, relaxation seekers
Paje & Jambiani (Southeast)
The kitesurfing capital of East Africa with consistent winds from June to February. Long white-sand beaches, seaweed farms at low tide, and a growing bohemian scene. Budget-friendly with excellent local restaurants.
$25-80/night
Best for: Kitesurfers, budget travelers, digital nomads
Matemwe (Northeast)
Quiet, undeveloped coastline with powder-white sand and stunning views of Mnemba Atoll — Zanzibar's best diving and snorkeling spot. High-end boutique lodges dot the beach. The escape-from-it-all choice.
$200-600/night
Best for: Divers, privacy seekers, luxury travelers
Michamvi Peninsula
A narrow peninsula on the southeast coast with beaches on both sides. Known for The Rock Restaurant (perched on a tiny offshore rock) — one of the world's most photographed restaurants. Intimate boutique hotels.
$150-400/night
Best for: Instagram travelers, romantic getaways, couples
Zanzibar Hotel Prices
800+ properties across all price ranges
| Category | Price/Night | Best Areas | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget (1-2★) | $25-50 | Paje & Jambiani (Southeast) | Kitesurfers, budget travelers, digital nomads |
| Mid-Range (3★) | $80-180 | Stone Town, Nungwi, Kendwa | History lovers, culture seekers, foodies |
| Luxury (4-5★) | $250-800+ | Matemwe (Northeast), Michamvi Peninsula | Divers, privacy seekers, luxury travelers |
Budget (1-2★)$25-50/night
Areas: Paje & Jambiani (Southeast)
Mid-Range (3★)$80-180/night
Areas: Stone Town, Nungwi, Kendwa
Luxury (4-5★)$250-800+/night
Areas: Matemwe (Northeast), Michamvi Peninsula
Best Time to Visit Zanzibar
Best for Deals
June-October for dry weather; April-May for best hotel deals. Hotel rates drop 30-40% during off-peak months. Midweek stays (Sunday-Thursday) save an additional 15-20% year-round.
Best for Weather
June-October for dry weather and best diving; January-February for heat and festivals. Tropical — warm year-round (25-33°C). Long rains March-May, short rains Nov-Dec. Dry June-October and January-February..
Zanzibar Travel Essentials
The Spice Island — turquoise waters, white sand, and centuries of Swahili culture
Zanzibar is an archipelago off Tanzania's coast that feels like a world apart. Stone Town's UNESCO-listed labyrinth tells the story of Arab, Persian, Indian, and European traders. Beyond the old town, powder-white beaches stretch for miles along turquoise Indian Ocean waters. The island is a spice producer (cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon) and a gateway to world-class diving at Mnemba Atoll.
Top Things to Know About Zanzibar
Stone Town — UNESCO World Heritage old town with spice markets, rooftop dining, and sunset dhow cruises
Mnemba Atoll — world-class diving and snorkeling with dolphins, turtles, and whale sharks (Oct-March)
Spice tours — visit working plantations growing cloves, vanilla, cinnamon, and black pepper
Jozani Forest — home to the endemic red colobus monkey found nowhere else on Earth
Prison Island — giant Aldabra tortoises (some over 100 years old) on a tiny island 30 minutes by boat
Climate
Tropical — warm year-round (25-33°C). Long rains March-May, short rains Nov-Dec. Dry June-October and January-February.
Best Time to Visit
June-October for dry weather and best diving; January-February for heat and festivals
Currency
Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). ~TZS 2,500 = $1 USD. USD widely accepted at hotels/tours; TZS for local markets.
Language
Swahili (primary), English (widely spoken in tourism), Arabic in Stone Town
Time Zone
EAT (UTC+3) — same as Nairobi, 2 hours ahead of London in winter
Visa
Most nationalities require an e-visa ($50, apply online at immigration.go.tz) or visa on arrival ($50). Apply online 2+ weeks before travel to avoid airport queues.
Flexible Payment for Zanzibar Hotels
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Crypto in Zanzibar: Tanzania has limited crypto infrastructure but growing mobile money usage (M-Pesa). Paying for your trip in crypto through Travorio avoids the need to carry large amounts of USD cash.
Hotels in Zanzibar — FAQ
Where is the best area to stay in Zanzibar?
Stone Town ($60-180/night) for culture and history. Nungwi ($50-200/night) for the liveliest beach scene. Kendwa ($80-250/night) for couples and swimming at any tide. Paje ($25-80/night) for kitesurfing and budget stays. Matemwe ($200-600/night) for diving and luxury seclusion.
How much do hotels cost in Zanzibar?
Budget guesthouses in Paje and Stone Town start at $25/night. Mid-range beachfront hotels in Nungwi and Kendwa average $80-180/night. Luxury resorts in Matemwe and Michamvi range from $250-800+/night. All-inclusive packages are popular at $150-400/person/night.
When is the cheapest time to visit Zanzibar?
April and May (long rain season) offer the lowest rates — many resorts cut prices by 40-50%. November during the short rains is another affordable window. The best value-for-money is June, when dry season starts but prices haven't hit peak levels yet.
Is Zanzibar good for kitesurfing?
Zanzibar is East Africa's kitesurfing capital. Paje beach on the southeast coast has consistent trade winds from June to February, flat lagoon water at low tide, and multiple kite schools. Lessons start around $50/hour. Budget accommodation in Paje starts at $25/night.
Is Zanzibar safe for tourists?
Zanzibar is generally safe for tourists. Stone Town requires normal city precautions (don't walk alone in dark alleys at night). Beach areas are very safe. Note: Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim — dress modestly in Stone Town (cover shoulders and knees) and be sensitive during Ramadan.
Can I book Zanzibar hotels with cryptocurrency?
Yes. Travorio accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, and 100+ other cryptocurrencies for hotel bookings in Zanzibar. This is especially convenient since Tanzania is largely a cash economy — paying for your accommodation in crypto upfront means you need less USD cash on the island.