Nightlife · Zanzibar · Tanzania

Zanzibar nightlife

Where the evenings happen in Zanzibar, from early drinks to late nights.

Updated 23 October 2026By the AMZBooking editorial team

Quick answer

Nightlife on Zanzibar is relaxed and beach-based: sunset bars, live music in Stone Town and monthly full-moon parties at Kendwa. The main areas are Kendwa and Nungwi, Paje and Stone Town.

Nightlife areas: 3
Stay near the action: Nungwi
Local drink: Sugarcane juice

Where to go out

Kendwa and Nungwi

Beach bars and the monthly full-moon party at Kendwa, the island's biggest night out.

Paje

Beach bars and parties popular with kitesurfers and backpackers.

Stone Town

Rooftop bars and hotel bars with sunset views, plus live music during festivals.

Nightlife tips

Use a taxi or hotel transport after dark rather than walking along unlit beaches or roads.
Alcohol is not served in local eateries; head to hotels and tourist bars.

Evening sights

Market · Stone Town

Forodhani Gardens night market

Agree the price of seafood before it is grilled, and choose stalls that are busy with locals.

Time needed: 1–2 hours
Cost: Low cost

Iconic
Food
After dark
Kids

What to drink

Sugarcane juice — Freshly pressed sugarcane juice with lime and ginger, crushed through a hand-cranked press in front of you.
Spiced coffee — Strong black coffee spiced with ginger or cardamom, poured into tiny cups from brass pots by street vendors, often with a sweet or peanut brittle.

Evenings through the year

Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. January has the warmest evenings, with lows around 24°C (75°F).

Zanzibar evenings: sunset, overnight low and rainy days
Month	Sunset (15th)	Overnight low	Rainy days
January	About 18:45	24°C (75°F)	7
April	About 18:22	24°C (75°F)	17
July	About 18:23	21°C (70°F)	5
October	About 18:16	22°C (72°F)	7

Getting home late

Walking — Stone Town's lanes are too narrow for cars; the Old Fort, Forodhani, Darajani Market and the ferry port are all within a 15-minute walk.
Taxi — Ask your hotel to book a driver; prices are often quoted in US dollars.
Bus — Dala-dalas — shared minibuses and converted trucks — run from Darajani in Stone Town to villages across the island; cheap and slow, with stops on demand.
Ferry — Buy tickets at the official ferry offices or online, not from touts at the port.

Late-night bites

Zanzibar pizza — Forodhani Gardens night market and street stalls in Stone Town.
Urojo — Specialist urojo stalls in Stone Town, mainly in the afternoon and evening.
Mishkaki — Forodhani Gardens and street grills in Stone Town and the beach villages.
Chipsi mayai — Street stalls and local cafés across the island.

Staying safe at night

Check your own government's travel advice before travel. Common issues are persistent beach vendors and unofficial guides, petty theft from bags left on the beach, and sea urchins and strong currents on the reefs; avoid walking alone on unlit beaches at night, and seek medical advice on malaria prevention before you go.

Emergency number: 112 (police and emergency services)

Where to stay for nightlife

$$$ · Best for beach, nightlife, first-timers and solo travellers

Nungwi

Nungwi, at the island's northern tip, has beaches that are less affected by tides than the east coast, so swimming is possible most of the day. The village is known for dhow building and sunsets over the sea, and a strip of hotels, dive centres and beach bars lines the shore. Boat trips to Mnemba Atoll leave from here.

Good: Swimming at most tides; Sunsets over the ocean; Dive centres and boat trips
Watch out: Busier and more developed; Beach vendors can be persistent
Nearby: Mnarani turtle aquarium, Kendwa, Mnemba Atoll

Questions travellers ask

+Where is the best nightlife in Zanzibar?

Kendwa and Nungwi, Paje and Stone Town. Beach bars and the monthly full-moon party at Kendwa, the island's biggest night out.

+Which area of Zanzibar is best for nightlife?

Nungwi: Northern tip with lively beach bars, dhow builders and swimmable water.