10 Things To Do At Night In Zanzibar, Tanzania

things to do in zanzibar at night
Aarti
Aarti 
Updated
| 4 min read

Few cities or countries in the ‘pale blue dot’ can kindle all your sensory organs when you witness beautiful beaches with white sands, crystal-clear turquoise waters unlike Zanzibar in Tanzania. In East Africa, Tanzania offers a plethora of islands enclosed within the Indian Ocean and is home to adrenalin, adventure, cultural, and historical experiences amidst the perfect setting of serene relaxation. Head out and about, and explore the capital of Zanzibar, narrow streets of the Stone Town, picturesque architecture, hustle and the bustle of the markets, quaint museums, and also visit certain locations that will act as a reminder of the slavery that took place in the history of Zanzibar. After exploring these locations, head out to the beaches and soak up in the sun! Go scuba diving, snorkeling, or just watch the sunset from the pristine sandy beaches. This little island, Zanzibar is a complete package. If you are much more active at night and are keen on adventuring during your vacation, here is a list of things you can do at night in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

1. Go for a romantic dinner at Taarab Restaurant


Keep your romance alive by heading to the Taarab roof-top restaurant that offers a mesmerizing view of both the beach and the town. Breathe in all the romance that this restaurant exudes and devour in luscious seafood and other African delicacies with a chilled drink on one hand and your partner’s hand on the other, while also being accompanied by the sounds of the busy streets right below the restaurant.

Taarab Restaurant

Address: 90 90A Shanghani, Zanzibar City, Tanzania

Website: Taarab Restaurant

Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 6:30 am to 11:00 pm, Saturday to Sunday: 7:00 am to 11:00 pm

Price: 11-30 USD

Visited this place?

2. Unwind at the Nungwi beach

Nungwi harbour
Source: Photo by user Matt Kieffer used under CC BY-SA 2.0

One of the most popular beaches in Zanzibar, Nungwi beach is a small town with very little population. Crystal-clear turquoise beaches and the warm air make this beach best to unwind, relax, and witness the most beautiful sunsets in Zanzibar.

Nungwi beach

Address: Nungwi, Tanzania

Visited this place?

3. Watch acrobatics and capoeira on the beach

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

The sun is finally out! Come and enjoy stone towns best sunset with some great drinks at Livingstone!

Posted by Livingstone Beach Restaurant on Saturday, May 13, 2017

If you want to witness the most beautiful acrobatic and capoeira acts, then head to one of the beaches just outside Livingstone Beach Restaurant, to experience these beautiful acts put across by the kids who play there. Although the beach isn’t on a par with other turquoise beaches, the show that the local kids put up is worth a visit.

Livingstone Beach Restaurant

Address: House 48 Shanghani Stone Town, 3661, Tanzania

Website: Livingstone Beach Restaurant

Visited this place?

4. Hit the dance floor with Afro-jazz music at 6 Degrees South


Other than a lot of historic and cultural experiences in Zanzibar, it also offers a line-up of night-life activities that are accompanied by great food and drinks, and good music to dance on. 6 Degrees South is one such club where you can enjoy happy hours that also pairs well with some live Afro-jazz music and themed disco for you to let loose.

6 Degrees South

Address: Plot 60, Waterfront, Shangani St, Stone Town, Zanzibar City, Tanzania

Website: 6 Degrees South

Opening hours: Saturday to Sunday: 10:00 am to 1:00 am

Visited this place?

5. Catch a glimpse of the dark past at the Changuu Island

Paradise on Prison Island, Zanzibar
Source: Photo by user James H used under CC BY-ND 2.0

20 minutes’ of a boat ride to reach Prison Island or Changuu Island from Zanzibar, you get to see first-hand the history of the island where slavery was at its peak, back in the days. Currently, the island is being used as a nature reserve where giant tortoises roam around freely and some have even aged over 200 years.

Changuu Island

Address: Stone Town, Unguja, Zanzibar

Visited this place?

6. Shop till you drop at Darajani Market

Darajani Market
Source: Photo by user Yann Macherez used under CC BY-SA 4.0

One way to experience and understand the country you are visiting is by taking a stroll at a local market. Darjani Market stands on the ancient Stone Town alley and is one of the main markets in Zanzibar. Before you get to enter the hustle and bustle of the market, the streets that lead to the market area is where the usual fun takes place. You will get to see interesting items being sold by the pop-up vendors straight from China and get to relish Zanzibar delicacies and spices.

Darajani Market

Address: Market St, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Visited this place?

7. Explore the Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park

Red Colobus 7
Source: Photo by user Olivier Lejade used under CC BY-SA 2.0

The only thing that pops up when someone talks about Zanzibar is its history, architecture, beaches, and its unique culture. However, when you step away from the conventional, you get to take the roads less travelled and also witness Zanzibar for all the things it offers. And, for those outdoorsy folks, Zanzibar gives you Jozani-Chawaka Bay National Park, which is sandwiched between two towns–Jozani and Chwaka Bay. The National Park becomes accessible for those travelers or tourists living in either Stone Town or on the eastern side of the Zanzibar Island. When you take a walk in the park and explore it by foot, you get to experience the diverse natural habitat and also witness the well-known Zanzibar red colobus monkey and other wildlife species like aders duiker, bush pigs, elephant shrews, the Zanzibar leopard that’s soon-to-be-extinct and other flora and fauna.

Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park

Address: Tanzania

Visited this place?

8. Try local food at the night-time Forodhani market

Delicious Night Food
Source: Photo by user imke.sta used under CC BY-SA 2.0

The sun sets every day and as it sets, Forodhani market of the Stone Town rises. Forodhani Gardens Park comes alive and turns itself into an under-the-sky food market. As it transforms into a busy street-food-selling stalls, devour the local delicacies like urojo (made of a blend of tamarind and mango soup served with chickpea, potatoes, flakes, chutney and a hot sauce - if you dare to eat it all), Zanzibar pizza, fresh seafood kebabs, and also pure sugarcane juice mixed with lime and ginger.

Forodhani market

Address: Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Visited this place?

9. Pamper yourself at Cinnamon Spa

things to do in zanzibar at night | pamper yourself at cinnamon spa
Source: Pixabay

You’ve explored the city every step of the way and now your body is craving for some loving and extra attention. This is the time when you should take a break from all the hustle and bustle of the city and head to Cinnamon Spa, and spoil yourself a little in true Zanzibar style. Immerse yourself in perfect pampering as the spa offers you services like pedicure, manicure, aromatic and therapeutic massages, waxing, and much more.

Cinnamon Spa

Address: Shangani, Stone Town Zanzibar, PO Box 3181 Tanzania

Website: Cinnamon Spa

Visited this place?

10. Walk along the streets of Stone Town

Stone Town, Zanzibar
Source: Photo by user Rod Waddington used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Stone Town is the heart and soul that beats and breathes throughout Zanzibar. Surround yourself in a maze of irresistible alleys, buildings inspired by Arabic style, and get lost in the magic of Stone Town that it offers to every visitor. Befriend a local vendor and drink a cup of coffee or just take a walk and embrace the history, culture and the authenticity of Stone Town. While on foot exploring the town, you will not fail to notice the uniqueness of every little spot that you discover in every turn you take.

Stone Town

Address: Zanzibar

Visited this place?

Enjoy Zanzibar

There are literally plenty of activities to choose from when you make this island your home, for however long you stay. With plenty of activities that Zanzibar offers, it also offers an equal amount of diverse nightlife for people who want to relax and have fun.

Visited this place?
Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Born in Mumbai and brought up in Bangalore, India, Aarti is a full-time freelance writer by profession. She is a lover of everything the ‘blue dot’ offers—world cultures, off-the-beaten tracks,...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore Zanzibar
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.