Many of the best experiences in Zanzibar City cost little or nothing. The Forodhani Gardens night food market sets up on the seafront every evening, with grills of seafood skewers, Zanzibar pizza and bowls of urojo, while Darajani Market shows everyday island life, with spice, fruit, fish and meat sections and streets of kanga cloth sellers nearby. Go to Darajani early in the morning and to Forodhani around sunset.
For a change of scene, Prison Island is a short boat ride from Stone Town and is home to Aldabra giant tortoises and an unused 1890s prison. Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, in the south of the island, protects the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkey and is easily combined with a spice farm on a single day trip. Book island and forest trips through a registered operator, confirm what entry fees are included and choose ethical wildlife experiences that do not involve touching or feeding wild animals. Allow a full day each for Jozani and the spice farms, and half a day for Prison Island.
4 places · Updated November 12, 2026
Our top 3 things to do in Zanzibar City
Thing to do
Seafront park in front of the Old Fort that fills with grills and food stalls after sunset, serving Zanzibar pizza, urojo, seafood skewers and fresh sugarcane juice.
View details — Forodhani Gardens Night Food MarketThing to do
Zanzibar City's main food market, built in 1904, with spice, fruit, fish and meat sections plus nearby streets selling kanga cloth and household goods.
View details — Darajani MarketThing to do
Small island about 5.6 km off Stone Town, reached by a short boat ride, known for its Aldabra giant tortoises and an unused 1890s prison.
View details — Prison Island (Changuu Island)Thing to do
Zanzibar's only national park, a 50 sq km reserve of forest and mangroves that protects the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkey, popular as a day trip from Stone Town.
View details — Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park