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Zanzibar City

City · Mjini Magharibi Region, 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Population 709,809
Area 57 km²
Time zone Africa/Dar_es_Salaam
Zanzibar City

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Featured Lists

Pemba.mpimaji / CC BY-SA 3.0

Zanzibar City Unmissables

Stone Town, the historic heart of Zanzibar City, is a UNESCO World Heritage site characterized by its coral-stone architecture and labyrinthine alleys. The area preserves 19th-century landmarks such as the House of Wonders and the Sultan’s Palace, alongside sites reflecting the island's somber history like the Old Slave Market and Christ Church. Key cultural features include the Hamamni Persian Baths, the 17th-century Old Fort, and the childhood home of Freddie Mercury, all illustrating Zanzibar’s legacy as a cosmopolitan Indian Ocean trading hub.

14 places
Matthias Krämer / Public domain

Zanzibar Architectural Treasures

Zanzibar City’s architecture is a living record of its cosmopolitan history, blending African, Arab, Indian, and European influences. This collection explores the evolution of the city's skyline, from the 17th-century Omani fortifications of the Old Fort to the intricate Indian-influenced carvings of the Old Dispensary. Beyond the UNESCO-listed Stone Town, the list highlights 20th-century Art Deco structures, modernist government buildings, and historic mosques that illustrate Zanzibar's transition from a major Indian Ocean trading hub to a modern urban center.

20 places
Moongateclimber / CC BY-SA 3.0

Zanzibar Museums & Galleries

Zanzibar's Stone Town preserves its complex history through museums housed in Omani and colonial-era landmarks. Significant sites include the House of Wonders, once a ceremonial palace, and the Old Fort, built by Omani Arabs in the 17th century. The Sultan's Palace and Old Dispensary showcase ornate 19th-century architecture, while the Old Slave Market provides a somber look at the island's past. Complementing these historical sites, local galleries like the Cultural Art Centre and Dr. Bulugu Gallery highlight contemporary Zanzibari creativity and traditional craftsmanship.

11 places
email me / CC BY-SA 3.0

Zanzibar's Spiritual Heritage

Zanzibar’s religious architecture reflects a long history of cultural intersection. This selection includes Stone Town’s landmark cathedrals, such as Christ Church—built on the site of the former slave market—and the twin-spired St. Joseph’s Cathedral, designed by French architects. The list also features the Ijumaa Mosque, renovated in a modern arabesque style, the Jami Mosque, and the Mwanakwerekwe Lutheran Church. Together, these sites represent the Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, and Muslim traditions that coexist within the island's diverse community.

5 places

Zanzibar City — Map

Zanzibar City — Map

Climate & when to visit

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Fair
  • 31° (feels like 33°) · extremes 25°–32°
  • 26° at night
  • 13 rainy days
  • 15 sunny days
  • 8 hours of sunshine per day
  • Oppressive humidity
  • Light breeze
  • 29°C · warm for swimming
  • UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in February

Fair
  • 31° (feels like 34°) · extremes 25°–33°
  • 26° at night
  • 10 rainy days
  • 15 sunny days
  • 8 hours of sunshine per day
  • Oppressive humidity
  • Light breeze
  • 29°C · warm for swimming
  • UV index 12 · extreme

Typical weather in March

Poor
  • 31° (feels like 34°) · extremes 24°–33°
  • 26° at night
  • 23 rainy days
  • 16 sunny days
  • 8 hours of sunshine per day
  • Oppressive humidity
  • Calm winds
  • 29°C · warm for swimming
  • UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in April

Poor
  • 29° (feels like 32°) · extremes 24°–31°
  • 25° at night
  • 28 rainy days
  • 9 sunny days
  • 6 hours of sunshine per day
  • Oppressive humidity
  • Light breeze
  • 29°C · warm for swimming
  • UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in May

Poor
  • 28° (feels like 30°) · extremes 23°–30°
  • 24° at night
  • 22 rainy days
  • 10 sunny days
  • 6 hours of sunshine per day
  • Oppressive humidity
  • Light breeze
  • 28°C · warm for swimming
  • UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in June

Fair
  • 28° (feels like 29°) · extremes 23°–29°
  • 24° at night
  • 16 rainy days
  • 13 sunny days
  • 7 hours of sunshine per day
  • Oppressive humidity
  • Light breeze
  • 27°C · warm for swimming
  • UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in July

Good
  • 27° (feels like 28°) · extremes 22°–29°
  • 23° at night
  • 12 rainy days
  • 13 sunny days
  • 8 hours of sunshine per day
  • Muggy, humid air
  • Light breeze
  • 26°C · warm for swimming
  • UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in August

Good
  • 28° (feels like 29°) · extremes 22°–29°
  • 23° at night
  • 12 rainy days
  • 16 sunny days
  • 8 hours of sunshine per day
  • Muggy, humid air
  • Light breeze
  • 26°C · warm for swimming
  • UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in September

Good
  • 29° (feels like 30°) · extremes 22°–30°
  • 23° at night
  • 10 rainy days
  • 20 sunny days
  • 9 hours of sunshine per day
  • Muggy, humid air
  • Light breeze
  • 26°C · warm for swimming
  • UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in October

Fair
  • 30° (feels like 32°) · extremes 23°–31°
  • 24° at night
  • 14 rainy days
  • 21 sunny days
  • 9 hours of sunshine per day
  • Oppressive humidity
  • Calm winds
  • 27°C · warm for swimming
  • UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in November

Poor
  • 30° (feels like 33°) · extremes 24°–32°
  • 25° at night
  • 22 rainy days
  • 19 sunny days
  • 9 hours of sunshine per day
  • Oppressive humidity
  • Calm winds
  • 28°C · warm for swimming
  • UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in December

Poor
  • 30° (feels like 33°) · extremes 24°–32°
  • 26° at night
  • 24 rainy days
  • 18 sunny days
  • 8 hours of sunshine per day
  • Oppressive humidity
  • Light breeze
  • 29°C · warm for swimming
  • UV index 11 · extreme

Climate data: NASA POWER + Copernicus ERA5-Land and ERA5 · 1996–2025

Practical information

Currency
Tanzanian Shilling TZS · Card payments · Commonly accepted
Electricity
Type G
230 V · 50 Hz
Languages
English, Swahili
Tap water
Not safe to drink
Driving side
Left
Calling code
+255
Learn more

Tours & Activities

Stone Town
Walk
House of Wonders
Walk
Old Fort

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Related destinations

Mjini Magharibi Region Stone Town Changuu Island

Other Destinations

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Data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata, Wikipedia, Tripomatic, Official websites.