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All Tanzania Zanzibar

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Zanzibar

6 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Updated September 27, 2022

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Unusual Attractions in Zanzibar

Michamvi, Tanzania

The Rock

Sitting atop a rock on Michamvi Pingwe beach, this restaurant becomes its own island at high tide.

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Zanzibar's Night Market

After sunset the heart of Zanzibar's historic Stone Town neighborhood transforms into a culinary playground.
Mercury House.

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Mercury House

Freddie Mercury's childhood home is now a monument to the iconic Queen rockstar.
Majestic white exterior of the House of Wonders

Zanzibar, Tanzania

The House of Wonders

In Zanzibar, a historic 19th-century palace is a reminder of the world's shortest war.
Slave Market Memorial

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Slave Market Memorial

This monument is a stark reminder of the horrors of the Zanzibar slave trade.
Tippu Tip’s house.

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Tippu Tip's House

This slowly crumbling mansion was home to one of East Africa's richest and most powerful slave traders.
Are we missing something unusual?
Add it!

Unguja Ukuu, Tanzania

Unguja Ukuu

A remote island settlement off the coast of Tanzania is a storied archaeological site with an ancient past.
11 miles from Zanzibar

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Zanzibar

Michamvi, Tanzania

The Rock

Sitting atop a rock on Michamvi Pingwe beach, this restaurant becomes its own island at high tide.

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Zanzibar's Night Market

After sunset the heart of Zanzibar's historic Stone Town neighborhood transforms into a culinary playground.
In partnership with KAYAK

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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Zanzibar, Tanzania

A
Houses 3
History 3
Homes 3
Slavery 2

Zanzibar Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. Max Cortesi
    1
  2. mhrousseau
    1
  3. Tony Dunnell
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Zanzibar.

Places Edited

  1. Collector of Experiences
    5
  2. mikeymsb
    2
  3. mhrousseau
    1
  4. Tony Dunnell
    1
  5. svdejala
    1
Join the Ranks!
Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. dragonsap29
    5
  2. matthewrw0827
    5
  3. Kenyanz
    5
  4. glennamgrant
    5
  5. pierpucciniman
    5
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in Zanzibar.

Recent Zanzibar Activity

  • lizrycroft

    has been to Mercury House

    7 days ago
  • lizrycroft

    has been to Tippu Tip's House

    7 days ago
  • amyweng04

    wants to go to Mercury House

    7 days ago
  • tiffanykstout

    wants to go to Zanzibar's Night Market

    about 20 hours ago
  • tiffanykstout

    wants to go to Mercury House

    about 20 hours ago

Stories About Zanzibar

Archaeological trenches inside the Old Fort of Stone Town in Zanzibar City reveal a new, longer history of the settlement.

The Hidden History of Zanzibar's Stone Town

The settlement is centuries older than historians once believed.
by Line Sidonie Talla Mafotsing
September 27, 2022
The pulverized palace of Zanzibar.

The World's Shortest War Ended Less Than an Hour After It Started

But it’s not easy to say how long the Anglo-Zanzibar War actually was.
by Isaac Schultz
July 29, 2019

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