Sight guide · Zanzibar · Tanzania
Visiting Forodhani Gardens night market
Every evening the waterfront gardens in front of the Old Fort fill with food stalls grilling seafood skewers, making Zanzibar pizza and pressing sugarcane juice with lime and ginger, while local boys dive off the sea wall at sunset.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Moongateclimber, Public domain
Quick answer
Forodhani Gardens night market is a market in Stone Town, Zanzibar. Allow 1–2 hours; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Market
- Area
- Stone Town
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- food, after dark and kids
- Best months
- June and October–November
About Forodhani Gardens night market
Every evening the waterfront gardens in front of the Old Fort fill with food stalls grilling seafood skewers, making Zanzibar pizza and pressing sugarcane juice with lime and ginger, while local boys dive off the sea wall at sunset.
Tip: Agree the price of seafood before it is grilled, and choose stalls that are busy with locals.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1–2 hours.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Stone Town, coral-stone lanes, boutique hotels, rooftop restaurants and the island's history.
Best time to visit Forodhani Gardens night market
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- November: 31°C (88°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- June: 28°C (82°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- October: 30°C (86°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Zanzibar has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Zanzibar itinerary visits Forodhani Gardens night market on day 1, together with Stone Town and Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe).
- No. 2 of the 17 sights in our Zanzibar things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
- A family favourite in Zanzibar with kids.
Near Forodhani Gardens night market
Also in Stone Town, so you can walk between them:
- Stone Town — a full day, free
- Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe) — 45 minutes, free
- Former slave market and Christ Church — 1–1.5 hours, low cost
If you like Forodhani Gardens night market
- Spice farm tour — Central Unguja, Half a day
Staying near Forodhani Gardens night market
Stay in Stone Town ($$$) to walk here: coral-stone lanes, boutique hotels, rooftop restaurants and the island's history. All areas to stay in Zanzibar.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Forodhani Gardens night market?
Plan 1–2 hours. With Stone Town nearby, it fits a half-day in Stone Town.
+Is Forodhani Gardens night market free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Forodhani Gardens night market?
June and October–November, the quietest of the good months. Agree the price of seafood before it is grilled, and choose stalls that are busy with locals.
+Do I need to book Forodhani Gardens night market in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Forodhani Gardens night market good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Zanzibar. Zanzibar works well for families: tortoises on Prison Island, monkeys in Jozani Forest, turtles at Nungwi and calm beaches at Kendwa.