Cities and towns in Zanzibar: the main areas compared

Stone Town

Historic centre of Zanzibar City and a UNESCO World Heritage Site

• On Unguja's west coast, across the channel from Dar es Salaam
• Airport about 5 km south of Zanzibar City
• Cheapest budget doubles from TSh 25,000

Nungwi and the beach villages

Sandy beaches with fringing coral reefs

• Nungwi: resort town on the northern tip
• Paje: small east-coast village known for kiteboarding
• Beach rooms often cost more, from TSh 50,000

The table goes area by area: what each place is, who it suits and, where a price has been checked, what a bed costs.

Once you’ve picked a coast, compare good hotels in Zanzibar by budget and traveller type. Each area also has its own page.

Nungwi has a backpacker option too: Hostel 197 lists dorms from US$20 and private rooms from US$80⁵ a night.

Boat days in Mnemba or Menai Bay add a marine conservation fee: non-East African visitors pay US$10 per adult per day⁶ (checked October 2026).

West Zanzibar

West Zanzibar is the region around the capital. Mjini Magharibi Region, also called Zanzibar Urban West, is split into two districts¹¹, Magharibi and Mjini.

Its capital is Zanzibar City⁴. Up the north-west coast, Sea Cliff Resort & Spa is in Kama Village, Mangapwani¹², and the resort says it’s twenty-five minutes¹³ from Stone Town.

Unguja Ukuu

Unguja Ukuu is a historic Swahili settlement on the south-western side¹⁴ of Unguja. Wikipedia calls it one of the first East African trading posts¹⁴, with finds from all over the world.

It’s also the island’s most notable archaeological site, according to Wikivoyage, and it lies just north of the causeway to the Uzi Islands².

Kibigija

Kibigija is a beach name you’ll see in Jambiani hotel addresses. Sea View Lodge Boutique Hotel’s listing on KAYAK puts it on Kibigija Beach, 0.4 miles¹⁵ from the centre of Jambiani. For the village itself, see the Jambiani page.

Pwani Mchangani

Pwani Mchangani is a traditional village on Zanzibar’s north-east coast¹⁶. TUI says a stay there suits travellers who want a taste of everyday island life, with sandy streets lined with traditional homes and a handful of local eateries¹⁶.

Daily News calls it one of the island’s most pristine and quiet beaches¹⁷. At low tide here and in neighbouring Kiwengwa, you’ll see seaweed farming, mostly run by local women¹⁷. The Kiwengwa area guide covers the next beach along.