Actually an archipelago of two large islands and a a number of smaller ones, 16 to 20 miles off the coast of mainland Tanzania, Zanzibar has been legendary since at least the Middle Ages (though its human history stretches much further back) as the "Spice Islands," a prime source for vanilla, black pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg, as well as a trading entrepôt for the likes of gold, ivory, and ambergris. Today visitors can enjoy the historic sites and evocative architecture that's a legacy of that centuries-old history, such as the narrow streets of Stone Town, the old quarter of its capital, and its landmarks including sultanate palaces such as the 19th-century sultan's palace known as  “the House of Wonders.” (For an overview of Zanzibar's top allures, click here.)

But these days many visitors come mostly for the lovely Zanzibar beaches, lined with palms and turquoise waters with vivd coral reefs, and the settings for fabulous sunsets. And here are ten of the best: