> The honest neighbourhood guide to where to stay in Zanzibar — Nungwi, Kendwa, Stone Town, Paje and the east coast compared by vibe, beach, tides, price and who each area suits best. *Source : https://hotels4travelers.com/blog/where-to-stay-in-zanzibar/* --- [Home](https://hotels4travelers.com/)/[Travel guides](https://hotels4travelers.com/blog/)/Where to stay in Zanzibar: Nungwi vs Kendwa vs Paje vs Stone Town # Where to stay in Zanzibar: Nungwi vs Kendwa vs Paje vs Stone Town October 28, 2025 · by Sébastien Joumel ![Where to stay in Zanzibar: Nungwi vs Kendwa vs Paje vs Stone Town](https://hotels4travelers.com/img/zanzibar/hero.jpg) Choosing your area in Zanzibar matters more than choosing your hotel. The island looks small on a map, but a beach with no tide and a beach that empties for 400 metres twice a day are an hour's drive apart — and booking the wrong one is the single most common Zanzibar regret. This guide breaks down the five places most travellers actually stay — what each is like, the beach and tide situation, who it suits, and roughly what you’ll pay — so you book the right base the first time. Quick picks - **Best all-rounder beach:** Kendwa — swimmable at any tide. - **Liveliest:** Nungwi — bars, dive shops, sunset crowds. - **Culture & history:** Stone Town — for 1–2 nights. - **Kitesurf & laid-back:** Paje & the east coast. - **Quiet & upscale:** Matemwe and Kiwengwa on the north-east. ## The five areas at a glance Area Vibe Best for Beach / tide Hotels from **Nungwi** Lively, social First-timers, nightlife Minimal tide, swimmable $58 **Kendwa** Relaxed beach Swimming, sunsets No tide, deep water $74 **Stone Town** Historic city Culture, 1–2 nights No beach (it’s a town) $40 **Paje / Jambiani** Boho, breezy Kitesurf, budget, calm Strong tide, lagoon $36 **Matemwe / Kiwengwa** Quiet, upscale Honeymoon, seclusion Tidal, reef offshore $90 ## Nungwi — the lively north At the island’s northern tip, Nungwi has the widest choice of hotels and the most going on: dive centres, beach bars, seafood grills and a sociable, sundowner-soaked atmosphere. Crucially, the tide here is minimal, so you can swim straight off the beach more or less whenever you like — a big deal in Zanzibar. It’s the natural pick for first-timers and anyone who wants life around them rather than total isolation. The trade-off is that the main strip can feel busy and built-up in high season. ![White-sand beach in Zanzibar](https://hotels4travelers.com/img/zanzibar/3.jpg) Northern Zanzibar's beaches stay swimmable through the tides — the main reason first-timers base here. **Good to know:** Nungwi and Kendwa are about a 1-hour transfer from the airport and Stone Town. Factor a $40–60 private transfer (each way) into your budget. ## Kendwa — the swimmer’s beach A short hop south-west of Nungwi, Kendwa is calmer and, for many, the best pure beach on the island: soft white sand, deep water that stays swimmable at all tides, and famous sunsets. It’s less of a “scene” than Nungwi but close enough to pop over for its monthly full-moon party. Choose Kendwa if your priority is swimming, snorkelling and relaxed beach days, with the option of nightlife next door rather than on your doorstep. ## Stone Town — history, not beach Stone Town is the island’s UNESCO-listed old quarter: a maze of coral-stone alleys, carved doors, spice markets and rooftop restaurants. It is a **city, not a beach** — you stay here for culture, atmosphere and the boat connections, usually for one or two nights at the start or end of a trip. Atmospheric boutique riads and heritage hotels here can be excellent value (from around $40), and it’s the most convenient base for tours, the ferry and the airport. **Classic itinerary:** 1–2 nights in Stone Town for the culture, then transfer north or east for the beach portion of your stay. ## Paje & Jambiani — the boho east coast The south-east coast is a different world: a vast turquoise lagoon, a relaxed backpacker-meets-digital-nomad scene, and Zanzibar’s kitesurfing capital at Paje. Prices are the lowest on the island, and the vibe is barefoot and unhurried. The catch is the **tide**: the sea retreats hundreds of metres twice a day, so swimming is tide-dependent and some seasons bring seaweed. None of that matters if you’re there to kitesurf, work remotely or simply chill — but it’s the wrong choice if you dream of stepping from your towel into deep water at any hour. ## Matemwe & Kiwengwa — quiet and upscale The north-east coast is where many of the island’s higher-end resorts and honeymoon hideaways sit, facing Mnemba Atoll (Zanzibar’s best diving and snorkelling). It’s tidal like the east, but the seclusion and the offshore reef are the draw. Pick this side for privacy, romance and diving rather than walkable nightlife. ## Which area is right for you? - **First trip / want it easy:** Nungwi. - **Best swimming beach:** Kendwa. - **Culture lover:** a night or two in Stone Town, then the coast. - **Budget / kitesurf / remote work:** Paje or Jambiani. - **Honeymoon / seclusion / diving:** Matemwe or Kiwengwa. > The smartest Zanzibar trips often use two bases: a couple of nights in Stone Town or the lively north, then a switch to a quieter coast to wind down. ## Where to stay in Zanzibar — FAQ ### What is the best area to stay in Zanzibar for first-timers? Nungwi or Kendwa in the north. They have the best swimmable beaches, the widest hotel choice and plenty of restaurants and activities within walking distance. ### Which area is cheapest? The east coast — Paje and Jambiani — has the lowest hotel prices, followed by guesthouses in Stone Town. The north (Nungwi/Kendwa) sits mid-to-high, and the north-east resorts are the priciest. ### Can you swim at any time in Zanzibar? Only on the north coast (Nungwi, Kendwa), where the tide is minimal. On the east coast the sea pulls far out twice a day, so swimming is tide-dependent. ### Should I split my stay between two areas? For trips of five nights or more, yes — pairing Stone Town or the north with a quieter coast gives you culture, nightlife and relaxation without compromise. ## Compare hotels by area Now that you know the lay of the land, compare live prices across every booking site — filtered by area and budget — in our main guide to [hotels in Zanzibar](https://hotels4travelers.com/tanzania/zanzibar/). [→ Compare hotels in Zanzibar and find the lowest price](https://hotels4travelers.com/tanzania/zanzibar/) SJ Written & researched by Sébastien Joumel Entrepreneur and travel enthusiast · founder of Hotels4Travelers I personally research the destinations we cover — comparing prices, reading reviews and digging into neighbourhoods — to help you travel smarter, off the beaten track.