5 days in Zanzibar

To start, meet me at Old Fort. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Unmissable, and for good reason. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise also check Tiqets.

Then, head to House of Wonders. Give it a good two hours, and leave before you are full: that is the secret to wanting to come back. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or compare on Tiqets.

After lunch, I make my way to Nakupenda Island Beach Tours. Bring water, shoes that hold, and no watch. Everyone goes; everyone is right. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise go through Tiqets.

In the morning, it’s Jozani Forest. The kids will still be talking about it weeks later. So will the adults, though they admit it less. Unmissable, and for good reason. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or also check Tiqets.

Around noon, meet me at ZBC -1 (MANGROVE BUTTERFLY & SPICE GARDEN JOZANI ZANZIBAR). This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise compare on Tiqets.

In the afternoon, it’s Zanzibar Butterfly Centre. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise compare on Tiqets.

Early in the morning, meet me at SISO SPICE FARM. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Unmissable, and for good reason. Travellers give it 4.6 out of 5 (473 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or compare on Tiqets.

Late morning, it’s TO THE HILL KIDICHI SPICE FARM. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. 4.9 out of 5 across 311 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise go through Tiqets.

Later, it’s Abeid Spice Farm. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or also check Tiqets.

In the morning, it’s Saint Joseph's Cathedral. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.5 out of 5 across 372 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise go through Tiqets.

Around noon, I make my way to Freddie Mercury Museum. The audio guides are worth it; otherwise, follow a group and steal three anecdotes on the way. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise go through Tiqets.

After lunch, meet me at Jaw's Corner. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or compare on Tiqets.

In the morning, I make my way to Mtoni Palace Ruins. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Practical: here is the route by public transport · travellers’ reviews.

Then, meet me at Nungwi Mnarani Aquarium. The kids will still be talking about it weeks later. So will the adults, though they admit it less. Unmissable, and for good reason. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or compare on Tiqets.

Later, meet me at Jambiani Beach. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.5 out of 5 across 638 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Getting there: here is the route by public transport. To get a feel for it: what visitors say.