The Zanzibar dress code is more flexible on resort beaches than it is in Stone Town or rural villages, and knowing the difference avoids some genuinely awkward moments.
Zanzibar is a predominantly Muslim island, and the single rule that covers most situations is simple: cover your shoulders and knees the moment you step off the beach. Resort pools, private beaches, and diving boats are relaxed about swimwear — but the instant you walk into a village, Stone Town’s streets, or anywhere outside tourist infrastructure, modest dress isn’t optional etiquette, it’s the baseline expectation.
Zanzibar dress code: Dress Code, By Situation
For men, shorts and a t-shirt work in most places, but switch to trousers in Stone Town specifically, and avoid sleeveless tops. Walking back to your hotel in swimwear, however short the distance, reads as disrespectful — bring a cover-up for the walk.
For women, cover your legs and shoulders — a long dress with a t-shirt, or trousers with a modest top, both work. Avoid revealing necklines and tight, form-fitting clothing in public areas. If you wear a kanga (the local wrap, sold cheaply at Darajani Market and a genuinely useful souvenir), don’t tie it tightly around your waist — it’s meant to hang loosely.
Stone Town and village back streets call for the most coverage. Diving boats, resort grounds, and private beaches are where the dress code relaxes.
Left Hand, Right Hand
Use your right hand for eating, shaking hands, and giving or receiving money or gifts — the left hand is reserved for toilet use and touching someone or handing them something with it is genuinely considered impolite, not just a minor faux pas. This is one of the easiest customs to get wrong by habit and one of the easiest to simply remember and fix.
Greetings
Greetings here take a little more time than a quick “hi” — asking after someone’s day, work, or family before getting into the actual conversation is the norm, not small talk to rush past. “Shikamoo” is the respectful greeting to use with anyone visibly older than you, and the expected reply is “marahaba.” Don’t be surprised if someone holds your hand a little longer than a typical handshake after greeting you — it’s a gesture of warmth, not an overstep.
Photography
Ask before photographing people, particularly anyone in traditional dress — snapping a photo without asking is considered poor manners, not a harmless tourist habit. If you photograph someone who then expects a small tip in exchange, that’s a normal transaction here, not a scam.
Public Affection and Behavior
Public displays of affection — kissing, prolonged touching between partners — are culturally discouraged island-wide, for any couple, and this matters more than it might in a lot of other beach destinations. If you’re invited to eat with a local family, don’t sniff the food or refuse to try something offered to you; both read as an insult to the cook.
Haggling and Giving
Haggling is expected at markets and with street vendors — approach it with a smile rather than an aggressive tone, and it tends to go smoothly. One thing worth avoiding regardless of good intentions: don’t hand out sweets, small gifts, or money directly to children in villages. It’s a well-meaning habit that in practice can encourage kids to skip school and beg from tourists instead — if you want to give something back, a donation to a local school or organized charity does more good.
Ramadan-Specific Etiquette
If your trip falls during Ramadan, the usual etiquette tightens considerably, and it’s worth knowing before you land rather than figuring it out in real time.
Eating, drinking, and smoking in public during the day is considered disrespectful and should be avoided — most local eateries close during daylight hours, so your hotel restaurant becomes the most reliable place to eat. Morning coffee is easiest to arrange at your hotel, since few cafes are open for it. Snacks are easier to find after dark; supermarkets carry packaged food, and Darajani Market sells bread and fruit.
Alcohol becomes harder to find — only hotels and their own restaurants serve it during Ramadan, and standalone bars without accommodation typically can’t. Expect it to be pricier than usual too.
Dress modesty increases further, especially in Stone Town and village areas — the general rules above apply with less room for exceptions.
Business hours shift: private businesses typically close about an hour early, public offices about two hours early, and small one-person shops sometimes close around prayer times, especially in the evening. Hotels and organized tours generally keep their normal hours regardless.
Nightlife shifts later rather than disappearing — many people eat a midnight meal and stay up, so expect gatherings, drumming, and noise later into the night, especially near the center of Stone Town. If you want quiet evenings, choose accommodation a bit further from the old town center.
Useful phrases: “Salam aleikum” works as a greeting anywhere. “Ramadan kareem” suits greeting someone who’s eating in the evening, after the day’s fast ends. “Chakula chema” means roughly “enjoy your meal.” “Eid mubarak” is for the final day of Ramadan and the days just after.
If you plan to visit a mosque during Ramadan, go outside prayer times — mornings tend to be calmer, and evenings get genuinely crowded.
One Thing to Know for Customs
Avoid buying seashells as souvenirs — they’re a common item customs can confiscate at the airport on departure. Spices, kangas, and local crafts from markets like Darajani are the safer souvenir choices.
FAQ
What should I wear in Zanzibar outside the resort?
Cover your shoulders and knees — men in trousers rather than shorts in Stone Town specifically, women in a long dress or trousers with a modest top. Swimwear is fine at resort pools and private beaches only.
Is it rude to eat in public during Ramadan in Zanzibar?
Yes, if you’re doing it outdoors during daylight hours — it’s considered disrespectful. Eat at your hotel restaurant instead, since most local eateries close during the day in Ramadan.
Can I take photos of people in Zanzibar?
Ask first, especially with anyone in traditional dress. It’s considered poor manners to photograph someone without asking, and a small tip is a normal expectation afterward.
Why shouldn’t I use my left hand in Zanzibar?
The left hand is culturally reserved for toilet use, so eating, shaking hands, or giving and receiving items with it is considered impolite. Use your right hand instead.
Is alcohol available in Zanzibar during Ramadan?
Only at hotels and their restaurants, and it tends to be more expensive than usual. Standalone bars without accommodation typically don’t serve it during Ramadan.