Why visit
Stone Town is a UNESCO-listed labyrinth of Arab, Indian, European, and African architecture, with spice tours, slave-route memorials, and a short ride to Nungwi and Paje beaches.
How to use this result
Use it as a travel-city prompt
Zanzibar City is included because it has traveler appeal beyond being a dot on the map. Use the themes, neighborhoods, notes, and season guidance to decide whether it fits a weekend, longer route, or writing prompt.
Build a realistic route
For a real trip, check how Zanzibar City connects with nearby cities, airports, rail or bus routes, local costs, weather, and entry rules for Tanzania.
Zanzibar City at a glance
City population
710k
Elevation
14 m
46 ft
Time zone
UTC+3
Africa/Dar_es_Salaam
Airport
ZNZ
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport
Tanzania at a glance
Country center
-6.0°, 35.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
945,087 km²
364,900 mi²
Country population
67.4 million
71/km²
Subregion
Eastern Africa
Currency
Tanzanian shilling (Sh)
TZS
Dial
+255
Languages
English, Swahili
Demonym
Tanzanian
Internet
.tz
UN
Member state
ISO code
TZ / TZA
Where in the world
-6.0° - 35.0°
Tanzania
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Zanzibar's Stone Town is a UNESCO site and has been a Swahili trading capital for 1,000 years.
- Zanzibar was the world's largest producer of cloves for much of the 19th and 20th centuries.
- Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara in Stone Town in 1946; his birthplace is marked on Kenyatta Street.
- Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest free-standing mountain in the world (not part of a range) at 5,895 m.
- Tanzania is home to 40% of all African lions and holds the Serengeti, where 1.5 million wildebeest migrate annually.
Bordering Tanzania
Traveler notes
- Stone Town guided tour reveals the layering
- Nungwi (north) for calm water, Paje (east) for kitesurf
- Spice plantation tour with cooking demo
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Verify swim safety, ocean conditions, and water-quality reports by month.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Zanzibar City
What currency is used in Zanzibar City?
Zanzibar City uses the Tanzanian shilling (Sh), ISO code TZS.
What languages are spoken in Tanzania?
The primary languages are English and Swahili.
What is the international calling code for Tanzania?
The calling code is +255.
What airport serves Zanzibar City?
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (IATA: ZNZ).
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