What to do in Zanzibar City when it rains
Don't let the rain stop you in Zanzibar City — the museums, galleries and indoor markets are the dry, unhurried heart of the city on a wet day.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- Freddie Mercury Museum 57 Kenyatta Rd, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- House of Wonders R5QQ+JR, Sokoku St, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Gos tour in #zanzibar. Get your guide for slave market & Stone town city Slave Market Exhibition Museum, Mkunazini St, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Sultan's Palace Museum R5QR+X6C, Mizingani Rd, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Peace Memorial Museum R5JR+QGR, Benjamin Mkapa Rd, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Maruhubi Historical Sites V645+8HW, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- Emerson Zanzibar Art Gallery & Cafe Zanzibar, Tanzania
- LITHOS AFRICA - Old British Consulate Old British Consulate, Kenyatta Rd, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- CAGZ ARTS GALLERY Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Hifadhi Zanzibar Ltd R5RR+6PF, Jamatini Rd, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- The Beautiful Eyes R5QR+J58, Hurumzi St, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Sustainable East Africa Art Gallery R5QQ+FC4, Mizingani Rd, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- Old Dispensary R5RV+P22, Malindi Rd, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Maruhubi Historical Sites V645+8HW, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Old Portuguese Arch R5MQ+V95, Kaunda Rd, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Mtoni Palace Ruins Malawi Rd, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Jaw's Corner R5PQ+MWC, Baghani St, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Tippu Tip's House R5PP+9VQ, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Darajani Bazaar Darajani St, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Zanzibar Spice Community Shop Market St, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Darajani Souk R5PV+MJW, Benjamin Mkapa Rd, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Mwanakwerekwe Market Mwanakwerekwe, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Malindi Fish Market of Zanzibar City R5VV+JW3, Mizingani Rd, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Saateni Local Market R6V4+W46, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- Lukmaan Swahili Restaurant The Mkunazini Baobab tree, R5HW+R3P, New Mkunazini Rd, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Stone Town Cafe R5PQ+M4H, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Karafuu Coffee House 140 Kenyatta Rd, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Puzzle Coffee Shop Shangani, 74, Stone Town 3471, Tanzania
- Sharazad Wonders Boutique Hotel 351, 352 Gizenga St, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Kaffé Koffee Zanzibar Old Airport Road Kiembe Samaki, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- Michenzani Mall Karume Rd, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Kwa kipogo shop Unnamed Road, Zanzibar, R69J+2MM, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Mpendae Mall Kwa Mchina Mwanzo Mpendae TZ, Zanzibar 71118, Tanzania
- Muzammil Centre R5RX+7M5, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Zanzibarmall TZ, Zanzibar 0000, Tanzania
- aromas of zanzibar shop no 371, Soko Muhogo St, Zanzibar 3619, Tanzania
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.