Zanzibar is hosting AFCON 2027 matches at two venues — the renovated Amaan Stadium in Stone Town and the new Fumba City Stadium 25km to the southwest. Where you stay shapes your entire experience. Stone Town puts you walking distance from Amaan Stadium, Forodhani Night Market and 400 years of UNESCO heritage. The north coast beaches at Nungwi give you Indian Ocean sunsets but require transport on match days. This guide covers every area, every budget and exactly which hotels to book before AFCON 2027 demand fills them.
The Two AFCON 2027 Venues — and What They Mean for Your Accommodation Choice
| Venue | Location | Capacity | Best base |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Amaan Sports Complex | Stone Town area | 15,000 | Stone Town — walkable |
| Fumba City Stadium | Fumba, 25km SW of Stone Town | 36,500 | Stone Town — 30–45 min by Bolt |
For fans attending matches at either venue, Stone Town is the best base. Amaan Stadium is walkable. Fumba is 30 to 45 minutes by Bolt — manageable and the better option given Stone Town’s food, culture and nightlife around match days.
Stone Town — Best for AFCON 2027 Fans
Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — a labyrinthine tangle of winding alleyways lined with carved wooden doors, Omani palaces, mosques and centuries-old spice markets. Staying here puts you in the heart of the AFCON 2027 experience. Many venerable Swahili homes and palaces have been renovated into boutique hotels, filled with sumptuous fabrics, harlequin stained glass and antique furniture. Behind their heavily carved doors and intricate lattice shutters are soaring Omani arches and cool concealed courtyards.
Distance to Amaan Stadium: 10–15 minutes walking
Distance to Fumba City Stadium: 30–45 minutes by Bolt
Best for: First-time Zanzibar visitors, fans who want culture, Forodhani Night Market on their doorstep
Verified Hotels in Stone Town
Park Hyatt Zanzibar ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Stone Town’s finest international hotel. Beachfront location with stunning Indian Ocean views, multiple pools including an infinity pool, and Moorish-inspired architecture. Guests praise the awesome location and ocean view from balconies, with live music adding to a pleasant atmosphere. Rates from $200+ per night.
Tembo House Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — located in the heart of Stone Town on the scenic seafront, within walking distance of the House of Wonders, the Old Fort and the Palace Museum. 5 minutes from Zanzibar port and 8km from the airport. Guests consistently praise the excellent seafront breakfast, convenient Stone Town location and accommodating staff. From $73 per night.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Zanzibar ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — international brand standard in Stone Town. Features 3 outdoor pools, an indoor pool and a restaurant. Guests note the property is very nice and well kept with great staff. From $120 per night.
Dhow Palace Hotel ⭐⭐⭐ — a very good-value, mid-range hotel full of Swahili character in the heart of Stone Town. The pool makes it appealing for longer stays. Serves as a meeting place for people and cultures from all over the world amid decor and artefacts from a bygone era. From $80 per night.
Emerson Spice ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — a beautiful small boutique hotel in the heart of Stone Town with individually designed rooms adorned with gorgeous fabrics. One of Stone Town’s most atmospheric and highly regarded boutique stays. From $150 per night.
Zanzibar Coffee House ⭐⭐⭐ — a small quiet hotel tucked away in the back streets of Stone Town with lovely simple rooms. Features a coffee shop and rooftop terrace overlooking Stone Town. Guests describe it as one of the best hotels they have ever stayed in. From $25 per night — outstanding value.
Zanzibar Palace Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — a highly regarded boutique hotel with very personal service and just nine rooms, all of them Zanzibari in style. Small enough to feel like a private house, large enough to have proper facilities. From $100 per night.
Stone Town Budget Options
Stone Town has genuinely good budget accommodation — guesthouses in converted historic buildings from $19 to $40 per night. The Island Stone Town, Seafarers Loft and African Angel House B&B all come well reviewed by recent travellers. At this price point you are sleeping inside a 200-year-old building in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hard to beat.
Hotel Price Guide — Stone Town
| Budget | Price/night | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget guesthouse | $19–45 USD (57,000–135,000 TZS) | Historic building, basic but clean, central location |
| Mid-range boutique | $60–120 USD (180,000–360,000 TZS) | Character, rooftop terrace, pool at some, good breakfast |
| 4-star hotel | $120–200 USD (360,000–600,000 TZS) | International facilities, pools, restaurant |
| 5-star / Park Hyatt | $200–500 USD (600,000–1,500,000 TZS) | Beachfront, infinity pool, full luxury service |
Nungwi — For Beach Lovers
Nungwi is Zanzibar’s most popular beach destination — a village on the northern tip of the island with long white beaches, warm calm water, lively beach bars and some of the island’s best accommodation. It is a genuinely different experience from Stone Town — more resort, less culture.
Distance to Amaan Stadium: ~45–60 minutes by road
Distance to Fumba City Stadium: ~75–90 minutes by road
Best for: Fans combining AFCON with a beach holiday, those who want resort facilities and do not mind commuting to matches
| Type | Price/night | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget guesthouse | $25–50 USD | Village guesthouses, basic but beachside |
| Mid-range hotel | $60–130 USD | Pool, restaurant, beach access |
| Beach resort | $130–350 USD | Full service beachfront resort |
If attending matches from Nungwi, book transport well in advance on match days. The road from Nungwi to Stone Town carries significant traffic — allow 90 minutes rather than the standard 45 on AFCON match days.
Kendwa — For Sunsets and Calm
Just south of Nungwi, Kendwa is quieter and more relaxed with some of the best sunsets on the island. Famous for its full moon beach parties. If your AFCON 2027 match schedule aligns with a full moon — Kendwa is unmissable. Similar transport times to matches as Nungwi.
East Coast — Paje and Jambiani
The wild east coast offers long remote beaches, world-class kitesurfing and a more local Zanzibar experience. Beautiful and genuinely different from the tourist north coast. However the journey to either stadium is 60 to 90 minutes each way — best suited to fans with only one match in Zanzibar who want to combine it with serious beach time.
Which Area Should You Choose?
| You want… | Best area |
|---|---|
| Closest to Amaan Stadium | Stone Town — walkable |
| Best atmosphere on match day | Stone Town — Forodhani, alleyways, rooftop bars |
| Best value accommodation | Stone Town budget guesthouses — $19–45/night |
| Best beach combined with AFCON | Nungwi — manageable commute to matches |
| Premium beach resort | Nungwi or Kendwa |
| Most remote and peaceful | East coast — Paje or Jambiani |
Getting to Zanzibar
Two options from Dar es Salaam:
| Method | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast ferry | ~2 hours | $35–50 USD return | Azam Marine, multiple daily departures. Book in advance — AFCON period will be busy. |
| Flight | ~25 minutes | $80–150 USD return | Precision Air, Air Tanzania. Fastest option. Worth it to save time. |
Match Day Tips for Zanzibar
- Amaan Stadium (Stone Town fans) — walk from your hotel. Allow 15 to 20 minutes through the Stone Town alleys. This is one of the great match day walks in world football.
- Fumba Stadium (any base) — book Bolt or private taxi well in advance. Book your return before the final whistle — do not try to find transport after 60,000 fans exit simultaneously.
- ATMs — Zanzibar’s ATMs can run short during peak periods. Withdraw cash in Dar es Salaam before crossing if possible. NBC and CRDB in Stone Town are the most reliable.
- Yellow fever certificate — carry it when travelling to Zanzibar if you entered Tanzania from an endemic country. See our health guide.
When to Book
For normal Zanzibar travel — a few weeks ahead is fine. For AFCON 2027 — book now. Stone Town boutique hotels at good rates will be gone months before the tournament. The Park Hyatt, DoubleTree and Tembo House will all fill up for the AFCON match dates specifically. Book match nights first, then fill in the surrounding days.
For the complete Zanzibar AFCON 2027 guide visit our Zanzibar fan guide. For stadium details see our stadiums guide. For getting to Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam see our transport guide. For tickets see our tickets guide.
Hotel information sourced from TripAdvisor, Booking.com, Expedia, Expert Africa and Adventure Life, verified June–July 2026. AFCON tournament period prices will be significantly higher than standard rates shown. Book as early as possible.