Honeymoon

São Tomé e Príncipe · Zanzibar

Honeymoon trips: São Tomé and Príncipe or Zanzibar

São Tomé and Príncipe, a private honeymoon, or all-inclusive Zanzibar: our honeymoon destinations, with flights from Lisbon.

A honeymoon deserves a destination to match: beaches almost to yourselves, nature, peace and quiet, and someone who takes care of everything. Choose your paradise.

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Trips

Trips: Honeymoon

Climate and seasons

Where to honeymoon each month

Pick your wedding month and see which of the two destinations is at its best.

When do you want to go?

Both destinationsZanzibarSão Tomé and Príncipe

What you will see

  • São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Zanzibar
  • Valentine's Day
  • Whales in São Tomé

The months when São Tomé and Príncipe and Zanzibar are both at their best. From December to February there is sunshine and a warm sea in both; from June to September it is the dry, cooler season. July and August are the most popular months: book early.

São Tomé and Príncipe is warm all year round; in Zanzibar we do not sell dates from March to May or in November, the rainy season.

Before you go

What to know before your honeymoon

Documents for a honeymoon in São Tomé and Zanzibar

São Tomé and Príncipe: EU citizens do not need a visa for tourist trips of up to 15 days. A valid passport is enough.

Zanzibar: you need a Tanzania tourist visa and the mandatory Zanzibar insurance, both applied for online before travelling. The visa is not included in the packages.

For both destinations, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your return, and the name on the plane ticket must match the passport.

Vaccinations and health on your honeymoon

Book a travel health appointment about a month before departure.

São Tomé and Príncipe: a yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory.

Zanzibar: yellow fever vaccination is only required if you arrive from a country at risk, including long stopovers. There is a malaria risk in both destinations.

Honeymoon hotels in São Tomé and Zanzibar

São Tomé and Príncipe: 2 nights at Hotel Omali, by the sea in São Tomé, and 4 nights at Bom Bom Resort on Príncipe Island, with breakfast.

Zanzibar: 7 all-inclusive nights. Riu Palace Zanzibar and Riu Palace Swahili are adults only; Riu Jambo, Meliá Zanzibar and TUI BLUE Bahari welcome families.

Honeymoon flights from Lisbon

São Tomé and Príncipe: direct flight from Lisbon, about 6h30, and a short flight between São Tomé and Príncipe. Transfers and a 4x4 with driver are included.

Zanzibar: scheduled flight from Lisbon with 1 stopover, depending on the date. Airport–hotel transfers are included.

Money and local taxes

São Tomé and Príncipe: bring euros in cash. On arrival you pay the tourist tax of €2.10 per person per night.

Zanzibar: US dollars are accepted almost everywhere (recent notes). The Zanzibar hotel tax is paid at the hotel.

Choosing your honeymoon destination is the first big decision you make together after saying «I do». In this guide we compare the two honeymoon trips we organise with flights from Lisbon: São Tomé and Príncipe, a private honeymoon between rainforest and sea, and Zanzibar, an all-inclusive Indian Ocean holiday in adults-only hotels. We explain which one to choose each month, how much a honeymoon package costs and what to sort out before you leave.

Honeymoon trips: why choose São Tomé or Zanzibar

The best honeymoon destinations have three things in common: a warm beach, peace and quiet, and someone who takes care of everything. Our two destinations offer all three, each in its own way:

  • Beaches almost to yourselvesneither destination has mass tourism. In São Tomé and Príncipe there are beaches where you will not see anyone else.
  • Flights from Lisbon includedno need to search for flights or connections. The package already includes flights, transfers and travel insurance.
  • Two travel stylesnature, plantations and experiences for two in São Tomé, or an all-inclusive resort on the Indian Ocean in Zanzibar.
  • Dates almost all year roundbetween the two destinations there is always a good option, from winter to late summer.
  • Personal supportwe handle the booking, the documents and anything unexpected, before and during the trip.

Inspiration

São Tomé or Zanzibar: which to choose for your honeymoon

São Tomé and PríncipeZanzibar
StylePrivate trip, nature and experiencesAll-inclusive beach resort
Flight from LisbonDirect, about 6h301 stopover
Time difference (UK)None in winter, 1 hour behind in summer3 hours ahead in winter, 2 in summer
VisaNot required for EU citizens (up to 15 days)Tanzania visa and Zanzibar insurance required
LanguagePortugueseSwahili and English
HotelsOmali (São Tomé) and Bom Bom Resort (Príncipe)Riu Palace, Riu Jambo, Meliá and TUI BLUE Bahari
BoardBreakfast, with selected experiences and mealsAll inclusive
From€3,000 per person€2,171 per person

In short: São Tomé is for couples who want a different kind of honeymoon, without jet lag. Zanzibar is for couples who want to relax on an Indian Ocean beach, with everything included and nothing to think about.

Honeymoon in São Tomé and Príncipe: the last paradise, 6h30 from Lisbon

São Tomé and Príncipe is the honeymoon destination for couples who want to swap the obvious for rainforest and deserted beaches. Our honeymoon trip to São Tomé and Príncipe is private, just for the two of you, and combines both islands:

  • 2 nights at Hotel Omaliby the sea in São Tomé, to arrive and leave without rushing.
  • 4 nights at Bom Bom Resorton Príncipe Island, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
  • Flights and transfersflights from Lisbon, inter-island flight, transfers, guide, 4x4 with driver and travel insurance.
  • One excursion a day on Príncipein the morning, with afternoons free for the two of you.
  • Moments for twoa romantic picnic at Baía das Agulhas, a surprise on a secret beach and cocktails to toast.

The next departure is on Valentine's Day, 14 February, in the short dry season, with sunshine and a warm sea. For other dates we organise the trip to measure. Hotels, itinerary and prices are explained in our article honeymoon in São Tomé and Príncipe.

Honeymoon in São Tomé and Príncipe

Honeymoon in Zanzibar: an all-inclusive Indian Ocean holiday

Zanzibar is the honeymoon destination for couples who dream of white sand, turquoise water and sunsets over the Indian Ocean, without thinking about meals or drinks. Our Zanzibar honeymoon packages include flights from Lisbon with 1 stopover, 7 all-inclusive nights, transfers, travel insurance and taxes:

  • Riu Palace Zanzibar: adults only, in Nungwi, where the tide is barely noticeable. From €2,516 per person.
  • Riu Palace Swahili: adults only, also in Nungwi, with pools facing the beach. From €2,569 per person.
  • Meliá Zanzibar: in Kiwengwa, with villas and a jetty over the sea. From €2,907 per person.
  • Riu Jambo: the most affordable of the Riu hotels. From €2,196 per person.
  • TUI BLUE Bahari: the lowest price of the five. From €2,171 per person.

For a honeymoon, the two adults-only hotels, Riu Palace Zanzibar and Riu Palace Swahili, are the most popular. The visa and Zanzibar hotel tax are not included. Everything about the destination is in our Zanzibar holidays guide.

Honeymoon in Zanzibar

Where to honeymoon each month

The wedding date often decides the honeymoon destination. Here is a month-by-month summary of our two destinations:

MonthSão Tomé and PríncipeZanzibar
January and February✅ Sunshine and warm sea, turtle season✅ Dry and very hot
March✅ Sunshine, with short showers❌ Start of the long rains
April and May🌧️ More rain, nature at its peak❌ Long rains
June✅ Start of the gravana, the dry season✅ Dry and cool
July and August✅ Gravana, whale season✅ High season, higher prices
September✅ End of the gravana✅ The best time for a honeymoon
October🌧️ More rain, waterfalls in full flow✅ Dry and less crowded
November✅ Sunshine from the second half❌ Short rains
December✅ Sun and heat, Christmas on the beach✅ Dry and hot

Where to honeymoon in July? In both: it is the dry season in São Tomé and Príncipe and in Zanzibar. In Zanzibar it is the most expensive time, so book early.

What are the best honeymoon destinations in September? Zanzibar, with dry weather, fewer people and lower prices than in August, and São Tomé and Príncipe, at the end of the gravana.

More on the climate in best time to visit São Tomé and Príncipe.

How much a honeymoon costs

TripDaysFromNext departure
TUI BLUE Bahari Zanzibar All Inclusive: 10 Days with Flights from Lisbon10€2,1719 January 2027
Zanzibar Riu Jambo All Inclusive: 10 Days with Flights from Lisbon10€2,1969 January 2027
Riu Palace Zanzibar All Inclusive: 10 Days with Flights from Lisbon10€2,5169 January 2027
Zanzibar Riu Palace Swahili All Inclusive: 10 Days with Flights from Lisbon10€2,5699 January 2027
Meliá Zanzibar All Inclusive: 10 Days with Flights from Lisbon10€2,9079 January 2027
Sao Tome and Principe Honeymoon: 9 Days with Flights from Lisbon9€3,00014 February 2027

Prices are per person, in a double room, with flights from Lisbon. In Zanzibar the price changes with the date: July and August are the most expensive months, June and September the most affordable. We always confirm availability and the final price before any payment. The figures for each destination are in how much a trip to São Tomé and Príncipe costs and is Zanzibar expensive?.

Prices and budget

How to plan your honeymoon

  • Book 6 to 9 months aheadthe best dates and most popular rooms sell out first, especially in July, August and on Valentine's Day.
  • Passport with the right namethe plane ticket must show the name on your passport on the day you travel. If you change your surname, tell us before the flights are issued.
  • Passport validityat least 6 months after your return, for both destinations.
  • Travel health appointmentbook it a month before. For São Tomé the yellow fever vaccination is mandatory. For Zanzibar it is only required if you arrive from a country at risk.
  • Zanzibar documentsthe Tanzania visa and the mandatory Zanzibar insurance are applied for online before the trip.
  • Tell us it is your honeymoonwe let the hotels know in advance.

São Tomé documents are explained in visa and documents for São Tomé and Príncipe.

Frequently asked questions about honeymoons

Which is the best honeymoon destination with flights from Lisbon?

It depends on your travel style. São Tomé and Príncipe has a direct flight of about 6h30 and is ideal for a different kind of honeymoon, with nature and experiences for two. Zanzibar is better if you want a beach and an all-inclusive resort.

How much does an all-inclusive honeymoon cost?

Our all-inclusive Zanzibar honeymoon packages, with flights from Lisbon and 7 hotel nights, start at €2,171 per person. In the adults-only hotels, from €2,516 per person.

How much does a honeymoon in São Tomé and Príncipe cost?

The private honeymoon trip to both islands, with flights, inter-island flight, 6 hotel nights, transfers, guide and experiences for two, costs from €3,000 per person.

Where to honeymoon in February?

In São Tomé and Príncipe or Zanzibar: both have sunshine and a warm sea. Our São Tomé honeymoon trip departs on 14 February, Valentine's Day.

Do you need a visa for a honeymoon in Zanzibar?

Yes. EU and UK citizens need a Tanzania tourist visa and the mandatory Zanzibar insurance, both applied for online before travelling. For São Tomé and Príncipe, EU citizens do not need a visa for tourist trips of up to 15 days.

Are the Zanzibar hotels adults only?

Riu Palace Zanzibar and Riu Palace Swahili are adults only. Riu Jambo, Meliá Zanzibar and TUI BLUE Bahari welcome families.

How far in advance should we book our honeymoon?

6 to 9 months ahead, to secure your dates and rooms. For July, August and Valentine's Day, the earlier the better.

Can we choose other dates?

Yes. In Zanzibar there are departures twice a month. In São Tomé and Príncipe we organise the honeymoon to measure, on the dates you prefer.