Welcome to your detailed guide for hostels in Zanzibar, Tanzania. You can choose from 14 Zanzibar hostels. In total, there are 73 cheap places to stay in Zanzibar such as guesthouses and bnbs. Prices start from $9 for a dorm.
Above we list every single hostel there is in the city. Let us take a broader look at what you can expect - and what not. We created this cheatsheet for you to get a more complete picture of the hostel quality in Zanzibar, average prices and types of hostels to choose from.
Total number of hostels
14
Average dorm price
$15
Average private room price
$25
Most Zanzibar hostels are located in
Stone Town
Average rating of all hostels
7.9
Below you can discover the best hostels to suit every traveller type. All of our recommendations are based on information shared by genuine travellers, the hostels and data that has been calculated from the system. Don't forget to check the ratings and see how these compare with the rates.
Travelling on your own to Zanzibar? Fabulous!
Pick a great hostel designed with solo travellers in mind, and you're bound to meet plenty of like-minded people who have also dared to venture to Zanzibar alone. Here are the top hostels for solo travellers in Zanzibar. We've also highlighted which hostel offers special perks you, as a solo traveller, will love. Each hostel offers great social spaces to meet fellow backpackers and wonderful opportunities for making new friends. You'll soon realise that travelling on your own definitely does not mean travelling alone.
This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you are better prepared for what to expect, what not to expect and can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Zanzibar. To help you make friends with Zanzibar before you visit, we've included a few helpful and fun things you should know about the area. Enjoy!
Zanzibar will not leave you disappointed -- the island is a perfect getaway from the dust of major East African cities, and a good place for diving and beach bumming.
Zanzibar, along with its neighboring islands, is an autonomous region of Tanzania; prepare your passport for stamping in and out at the harbor or airport. Zanzibar is famous for producing saffron, ginger, nutmeg, and other spices, and you even can take a spice tour around the plantations. The city also offers you a visit to the old Slave Market, where guides can tell you about this dark page of Zanzibar's history. Forodhani Gardens on the waterfront is a perfect place to visit at night for an evening snack at the market. Be sure to bring your bargaining skills!
Zanzibar's Stone Town is a World Heritage Site with a nice Arab feel to it -- there are narrow streets, lots of cats, and tons of dates sold at the market. Stone Town offers plenty of tour companies who can arrange your diving, kiteboarding, spice sampling, or boat trips around the island. For a more authentic experience, head to the rural parts of the coast, such as Jambiani Village in the southeast, to see seaweed plantations and fishing boats, sit on the beach, and enjoy the sun. Keep in mind that Zanzibar is a Muslim community, so dress and behave accordingly, especially when invited to local houses outside of main tourist areas.
Zanzibar's hostels and hotels are generally more expensive compared to the mainland, but the conditions are better, despite the occasional power shortages. You can also find some traditionally equipped Zanzibari guesthouses where local families will share their life with you.
Written by local enthusiast for Zanzibar hostels Curly
There are plenty of frequently asked questions about hostels in Zanzibar. We've collected the most common questions and doubts when it comes to picking your preferred accommodation in Zanzibar. The more you know, the better you can plan with confidence and ease, right?
A hostel in Zanzibar costs on average $15 for a dorm. A hostel in Zanzibar with private rooms costs on average $25.
Hostelz.com shows all 14 Hostels in Zanzibar. Simply filter by neighborhood and price to find your perfect budget place to stay.
Hostelz.com compares prices for 14 hostels in Zanzibar, Tanzania. We list for you other cheap places to stay in Zanzibar such as
This makes this very website the best place to find cheap accommodation in Zanzibar.
Baby Bush Lodge is the best rated hostel for partying in Zanzibar.
It offers: Bar.
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Pack smart, not hard
Hostel? Check! Now let's have at your hostel packing list for Zanzibar and Tanzania.
You may wonder what to pack when staying in hostels? There is a few absolute basics you always have to pick. Other items are more optional and depend more on your location. Here is the must-packing items when staying in hostels:
These are the basics, yet there is more. We wrote a big, detailed guide on what to pack, tech gear and things you won't need.
