Why Zanzibar Might be the Dreamiest Beach Destination, Ever.
The collision of exotic culture and idyllic beaches make this African island a dreamer's paradise
Zanzibar. The name alone evokes curiosity and wonder beyond belief that makes one ponder, where in the hell is this place? An island roughly 250 miles off the coast of Tanzania, Zanzibar is brimming with culture, cuisine, wildlife, and tranquil beaches, coupled with the historic hustle and bustle of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre that is the magnificent Stone Town.
I remember when I was a little kid and my dad first mentioned Zanzibar. I had no idea where it was, what was there, or what is was about, but I knew I wanted to go there. Zanzibar itself has a whole lotta history that contributes to its rich culture. The island sits at the intersect between the African Great Lakes, the Arab peninsula, and the Indian subcontinent, serving as a homebase for traders back in the day. Because of this, Zanzibar is a beautiful blend of Sub-continental culture, Omani and Arab influence, and Afro roots. With Islam being the main religion throughout the island, the Athan (call to prayer) plays loudly from every mosque near and far, flooding the streets with the mesmerizing Islamic sound, adding to the enchantment of the island.
Situated just along the shores of the warm and dreamy Indian Ocean, the streets of Stone Town are overflowing with locals buzzing by on their vespas and mopeds, the markets abundant with vibrant tropical fruits and bright green produce, and merchants selling everything from crazy colorful patterned kangas to Arabian galabeyas. You can spend endless hours getting lost in the streets of Stone Town, and when you actually DO get lost, there are locals at every turn willing to walk you to where you want to go. Cars are not allowed within the walls of Stone Town, so good luck catching a cab; and, if a local offers to walk you back to your adobe, hook the homie up with a tip.
When the sun begins to set upon Stone Town, the evening scenes start heating up and the island's rich culinary culture begins to become alive. Take a trip to the Forodhani Gardens Night Market to sample everything from Tandoori Lobster to Zanzibar's famed Zanzibar Pizza, or opt for a more intimate experience at the rooftop restaurant Emerson Spice, where you can witness the magical sunset upon the stunning city. Oh, and if you're looking for a leisurely oceanfront lunch, make a stop at Mercury's Bar, an ode to the island's most famous musical export, Freddie Mercury.
Once you've soaked in enough culture and cuisine to fill your mental memory bank, get out of the city scenes and explore the rest of the island and it's absolute idyllic beaches and lush green forests. On the other side of the island about an hour and a half from Stone Town lies one of the greatest restaurants on the planet, The Rock Restaurant Zanzibar. It's one of the greatest restaurants in the world not because the Michelin Guide says so or because it has a 20 course tasting menu that's been lauded by critics across the globe (of which the restaurant has neither of those aforementioned accolades), but rather because what you're eating was fished out of the ocean that day. The restaurant itself is literally in the Indian Ocean, surrounded by electric hues of turquoise, royal blue, and cyan water juxtaposed against the white sand beaches, and when the tide is low you can walk there, but when it is high, the restaurant can only be reached by boat. The tiny little seaside eatery is known for its seafood both raw and grilled, and opt for The Rock special that comes complete with lobster, cigal, king prawns, octopus, and calamari all on the grill. Don't leave without trying one of their pasta dishes either, as all the pastas are made by hand in-house. When sitting outside, feasting like kings and queens on lobsters and prawns as big as your head, you take a look around at your tranquil surroundings, the diverse mix of people eating and imbibing with you, and think to yourself, "What the hell did I do right in my past life to get me to this point right here?"
There are a lot of beautiful beaches in the world, and a lot of stunning beach destinations and islands. What really set Zanzibar above the rest is that you aren't JUST getting fun in the sun. You aren't JUST going there to lounge on the beach from sunrise to sunset (but if you did, no judgement here, we're about it). There is a rich history behind the island that you can feel and which leaves you wanting more, wanting to learn more about its past, its present, and where it's headed. Yes, the beaches are amongst the best in the world. But that, coupled with authentic hospitality from the natives, hyper-local regional cuisine that blends African, Arab, and Indian influence and ingredients, beautiful forests such as the Jozani Forest filled with tremendous wildlife like the elusive Red Colobus Monkeys, and a city such as Stone Town that thrives on being nothing but unapologetically itself, is what makes Zanzibar one of the most magical places on the entire planet.
