Zanzibar on a budget

Exploring Stone Town, Paje and Jambiani

Updated ago

Stone Town

Immerse yourself in the small streets of Sansibar's old town with its rich cultural heritage by taking a guided walking tour or getting lost yourself before heading to the beaches on the east coast.

Accommodations

STONE TOWN HOUSE

@tatjanam

Super cute accommodation in the traditional style of the old town. Offers both private and shared rooms. The owner is a gem and will help with any question.

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Restaurants/ Cafés

Lukmaan Restaurant

@tatjanam

A must! Popular with tourists and locals alike, it offers a wide range of traditional dishes. They show you everything to choose from and explain all the dishes to you. Great introduction to Swahili cuisine. Curries and smoothies are a must! The prices for seafood are also very good.

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Secret Garden

@tatjanam

If you want to treat yourself to a slightly more expensive meal, this is the place for you. Located in an outdoor courtyard with an open roof and plants everywhere, it is a very romantic restaurant. There is often live music there (you have to pay an entrance fee), which is also worth it. The skewers are particularly recommended.

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Zanzibar Coffee House

@tatjanam

With wonderful views over the city and a glimpse of the different architectural styles, this is the right place to enjoy breakfast or just a coffee. There are also tables at the bottom, but make sure you climb the tower to the top.

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Harbour Indian Kitchen by Chili & Lime

@tatjanam

Cute, little restaurant hidden between all the shops, with delicious Indian food! Try the Dosas and Dahi Puri!

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Cafe Africa Shops

@tatjanam

Perfect stopover after souvenir shopping. They have good coffee that you can drink by the window while people watch on the street. They are also part of a charity organization. So be sure to check out the goods they sell.

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Karafuu Coffee House

@tatjanam

You want to enjoy a delicious cake and coffee, want a place to relax with a book or need to work from somewhere...? Look no further, this is the perfect stylish place for it.

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Travellers Cafe

@tatjanam

Get here before sunset! Looking out over the beach and ocean with a drink in hand while the locals swim and play football - this is the perfect place to end the day and start the night!

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What to do

Stone town market

@tatjanam

Just get lost at the market, buy your spices here or try different snacks or foreign fruits. It can get a bit hectic but people are friendly. Prices should be negotiated. Also many free walking tours start from here. Check them out on Guruwalk.com.

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Zanzibar Street Food Market

@tatjanam

There is a food market every evening on the promenade, near the ferry pier. You can find very tasty things here, but be sure to ask about the prices beforehand (especially for grilled meat and seafood, otherwise you might get scammed). Things to try: the Swahili pizza (it's a stuffed thin dough so please don't expect anything Italian), the Urojo (a soup, personalised to your liking) and the sugarcane juice with lime.

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Good to know

Zanzibar Ferry Terminal

@tatjanam

Coming to Zanzibar from the mainland, this is your first stop. Most places in Stone Town are within walking distance. If you would like to use transport for your luggage, take the short distances into account when negotiating the price.

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Changu Island

@tatjanam

Don't go here! People will try to sell it to you everywhere, but in my opinion it's not worth it. The old prison building is interesting, but there is no information about it anywhere. The turtles also live in very small spaces, and the cage for the babies in particular is cruel. The swimming option they offer with the tour is next to all the boats and not particularly nice.

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NAKUPENDA BEACH

@tatjanam

If you want to take a boat trip, this is a nice opportunity. Don't be fooled because it will be crowded with other people and very touristy. If you don't mind that and are looking for the perfect white sand, crystal clear water and insane seafood, this tour is for you.

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Paje

With its many restaurants, cafes and bars, there is always something going on in Paje. Combined with its stunning white beaches and crystal clear waters, it is the perfect place for enjoying yourself.

Accommodations

B4 Beach Club

@tatjanam

Nice beach club with a good, quieter location a little further down the beach towards Jambiani. Perfect for relaxing and just enjoying the sun, but also for music and maybe even dancing. They also have an attached kitesurfing school and also offer rooms, for a very fair price in comparison to other hotels. If you're looking for an all-in-one option and/or prefer it more relaxed, go for this one!

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Ebb & Flow Apartments

@tatjanam

A good option if you want to stay in Paje. The rooms are nicely decorated, but everything is quite small and there is no view. I would definitely recommend the rooms on the upper floor, otherwise you are right next to the pool. If you want better value for money I would recommend staying in Jambiani instead.

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Restaurants/ Cafes

Mr. Kahawa Café, Restaurant & Accommodation

@tatjanam

Love this place for great and healthy food, wide variety of menu options, great coffee and delicious smoothies. Perfectly located on the beach. They also have great rooms, although definitely more expensive.

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Bento - Paje food court

@tatjanam

If you can't decide what to eat in a group or want to take advantage of all the options, this is for you. A cute food court with delicious offers and beautiful sitting area.

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Mapacha Food Court

@tatjanam

Right next to the roundabout, this food court is perfectly located and offers dishes of all styles.

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HANOI HOUSE CAFE

@tatjanam

If you're tired of Swahili cuisine and craving something fresh with lots of spices, you've come to the right place. Authentic, delicious Vietnamese food at its best. Try their special coffee too!

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Corina pastry shop

@tatjanam

You can't go wrong here! The pastries and cakes are fantastic and all handmade, the savory options are equally delicious and a perfect treat, and even if you don't want to eat straight away you can take everything to go. Italian food culture in Zanzibar.

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What to do

Aquaholics Kite & Surf Center

@tatjanam

A chain of different locations around the island (there's also one in Jambiani) offering kitesurfing and surfing. They have a nice atmosphere and comparable prices. If the wind or waves are good, it's definitely a must!

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Mwezi Boutique Resort

@tatjanam

Definitely not your budget option, but if you can find a deal and are a larger group it may still be worth it. However, it is recommended mainly because day visitors (like many other places when eating and drinking there) have the opportunity to hang out by the pool or on the beautiful beach. So if you want to treat yourself, you've come to the right place.

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Good to know

Paje Spice Shop

@tatjanam

You cannot leave Zanzibar without buying spices for yourself and/or your loved ones. You can do your shopping here. Very fair prices! In the evening there is also a BBQ street food station on the street in front that you shouldn't miss.

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Jambiani

This smaller and more relaxed village south of Paje is paradise on earth. With the craziest beaches and a less touristy atmosphere, it doesn't get any better than this.

Accommodations

New Teddy's on the Beach

@tatjanam

My favorite place on the whole island. Teddy's does everything right. The staff is super friendly and helpful, the food is fantastic and there are daily specials, the drinks are delicious, the pool and lounge area are very thoughtfully designed, the beach right in front is stunning and there are both shared and private accommodation available for every budget...go here! They also allow day visitors.

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Villa Juliana

@tatjanam

If you're looking for a more secluded, private option or want to spend a few romantic days, Villa Juliana offers good value for money and a beautiful beachfront location.

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Restaurants/ Cafés

Chez Hassan

@tatjanam

It doesn't look like much, but I ate some of the best traditional food on the island here!

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Yellow Card Cafe

@tatjanam

Make sure to stick to the Swahili cuisine here, but then you will be delighted. Very authentic, delicious food!

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Gerezani

@tatjanam

A must for great seafood (try the rock lobster for example)! But even if you are graving something else, everything is very good here. Have a cocktail with your meal.

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German Bakery

@tatjanam

If you want to add a little variety to your food, this German bakery offers traditional German and Austrian dishes as well as baked goods that are very good. It is also possible to rent e-scooters at a fair price here.

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What to do

ZANZIKITE - Kite school Jambiani | Kitesurfing Jambiani | Kite rental Jambiani

@tatjanam

A small kite school owned by an Italian with local teachers. The prices are comparable and the spot for surfing in front of the school is just perfect. So much fun when the wind cooperates - even if you just want to try it out.

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Panyopa Restaurant & Apartments

@tatjanam

Another kitesurfing school with friendly and knowledgeable instructors. The school is right next to the restaurant.

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Ocean Wonder Dive Center

@tatjanam

This diving school, owned by a German diving instructor, is well organized, has good equipment and feels safe. The dive sites are so beautiful and numerous, with many intact coral ecosystems and marine life. The diving site “Woo South” is my recommendation. With a bit of luck you can even see small sharks.

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Worth a trip

MAALUM

@tatjanam

A beautiful, crystal clear freshwater hole. A wonderful natural setting for a refreshing swim. You have to reserve and pay in advance, but this ensures that there are only a few people inside at a time, making it relaxed and peaceful.

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Mtende Beach

@tatjanam

In the very south, this beach is a must. It's so beautiful and just perfect. It changes greatly with the tides, so be sure to check beforehand. My recommendation would be to go at low tide to have a big, wide beach to walk and take photos on. At high tide it is better for swimming, but then the beach completely disappears. Rent a scooter or car to go here. There are also organized tours that can take you.

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Usumba Rock Restaurant

@tatjanam

If you are heading to Mtende Beach, stop here for a drink and enjoy the views of this magical place.

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Great Baobab

@tatjanam

As you drive towards Mtende Beach you will pass this large, impressive baobab tree that is hundreds of years old. It's definitely worth taking a look, paying for it and climbing the tree not so much though.

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Spice & Stone Town Tour

@tatjanam

You can't come to Zanzibar without taking a spice tour. This is a wonderful place for that. You will learn everything about the different spices and fruits. You can also try some of them and you will be surprised how some of them look and grow before you can get them in a store. However, buying spices there is expensive. Better buy them from the market in Stone Town or in local stores.

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Jozani Forest

@tatjanam

After a relaxing time on the beaches, come here to enjoy a walk through nature and greenery. The mangrove forest is really like a jungle. You can also find different types of monkeys.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tatjana M.

Available for hire

Ever since I was little, I have had a passion for travel and been curious to see the world. Originally from Germany, I have lived abroad, traveled to five continents and over 50 countries. My last trip has been to eight south and east african countries were I spent six months backpacking. I have a passion for adventure, food and nature, experiencing new cultures and meeting people. I not only have the experience but also the talent to plan trips and adapt them as best as possible to the wishes of the person traveling. No matter whether you have questions about the best route and time management, uncertainties about traveling by public transport or traveling alone as a woman, what you need for a backpacking trip... I'm happy to support you with your planning. And if I don't know something myself, I'll help you research it. I am happy to answer inquiries about the following countries I have recently been to or lived in: Germany, Greece, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia... and beyond.

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