Zanzibar Travel Guide
Where to Stay in Zanzibar? Regions Honestly Compared
By Haji, your local · updated on 09.10.2026 · 8 min read
Part of our complete Zanzibar travel guideWhere you stay in Zanzibar shapes your holiday more than the hotel itself. In the north (Nungwi, Kendwa) you can swim almost all day, in the southeast (Paje, Jambiani) a wide tidal lagoon awaits you, the east coast offers lots of calm and Stone Town is culture pure. Most travellers combine two regions – here you will find out which ones suit you.
The most important question first: swimming or lagoon?
In Zanzibar the tides decide your beach day. In the north the tidal range is small; on the east and southeast coast the sea retreats far at low tide. If you want to jump into the water at any time, stay in the north. If you love wide lagoons, kitesurfing and calm, stay in the east. Everything about the beaches in detail: Beaches compared.
The regions at a glance
| Region | Vibe | Swimming | Drive from airport (approx.) | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Town | Culture, alleys, markets | hardly | 15–20 min. | 1–2 nights to arrive |
| Nungwi | lively, restaurants, boats | almost always | approx. 1–1.5 hrs | Active travellers, swimmers |
| Kendwa | relaxed, sunsets | almost always | approx. 1–1.5 hrs | Couples, families |
| Matemwe & east coast | quiet, resorts, close to Mnemba Atoll | tide-dependent | approx. 1 hr | Those seeking calm, snorkellers |
| Paje | young, kitesurfers, lagoon | tide-dependent | approx. 1 hr | Kiters, backpackers, couples |
| Jambiani | fishing village, authentic | tide-dependent | approx. 1 hr | Calm, real island life |
The travel times are rough guides and depend on traffic and time of day. You book private transfers to all regions separately on the page Zanzibar airport transfer.
Stone Town: for arriving or winding down
Stone Town is not a beach resort, but the perfect start or finish: close to the airport, full of history and in the evening with the night market in Forodhani Gardens. One or two nights are enough to explore the old town on foot. The tours to Prison Island & Nakupenda also start from here.
Nungwi & Kendwa: the north
The north is the best choice if you want to swim independently of the tides. Nungwi is livelier, with many restaurants and boat tours. Kendwa is quieter and famous for its sunsets. For families with small children often the most relaxed region – more in Zanzibar with Kids.
Matemwe & the east coast: calm and reef
Between Matemwe, Kiwengwa and Pongwe lie many quiet resorts. Off Matemwe lies Mnemba Atoll, one of the island's most beautiful snorkelling spots. At low tide the water gets shallow – but in return you get mornings with the sunrise over the sea.
Paje, Jambiani & the southeast
Paje is the kitesurfing hub with a young, relaxed atmosphere. Jambiani is the quieter fishing village next door. From here the caves and bays in the south are quickly reached, for example on Mtende Beach & Salam Cave or The Rock & Kuza Cave. More hidden places in the Zanzibar secret spots.
Combining two regions – how to do it smartly
- 7 days: 1 night Stone Town + 6 nights north or east.
- 10 days: 2 nights Stone Town + 4 nights north + 4 nights southeast.
- With a safari: safari at the start, beach afterwards. More in Safari from Zanzibar.
Changing hotels costs half a day – more than two regions only pay off from around ten days. By the way, the tours pick you up at your accommodation, so you don't have to move for every excursion.
Hotel, boutique or guesthouse?
Zanzibar has everything: large all-inclusive resorts, small boutique hotels with few rooms and simple guesthouses with local families. Our tip: pay less attention to stars than to location, tides at the hotel beach and recent reviews on electricity and water supply. What a trip costs overall is in the travel costs.
Not sure which region suits you? Tell me what matters to you – I will recommend regions, tours and a fitting route, free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to stay in Zanzibar?+
For a beach holiday without tide planning, the north (Nungwi, Kendwa). For calm and lagoon, the east coast (Matemwe, Paje, Jambiani). For culture, one or two nights in Stone Town.
Which region in Zanzibar is best for swimming?+
The north with Nungwi and Kendwa, because the tidal range there is small and you can swim almost all day.
Is it worth staying overnight in Stone Town?+
Yes, one or two nights. The old town is most beautiful early in the morning and in the evening – you only experience that if you stay there overnight.
How far is it from the airport to the beaches?+
To Stone Town about 15 to 20 minutes, to the east coast and southeast about an hour, to the north about one to one and a half hours – depending on traffic.
Should I change hotels in Zanzibar?+
From about a week, a combination of two regions is worthwhile, for example Stone Town plus beach. More frequent changes cost too much holiday time.