Stone Town, Zanzibar: How to See the Old Town Properly

Stone Town is the old heart of Zanzibar City, on the west coast of Unguja, the main island of the Zanzibar archipelago. It is a maze of narrow lanes, carved wooden doors, mosques, churches, markets and coral-stone houses, and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Locals call it Mji Mkongwe, “the old town”.

Many visitors give Stone Town a few hours on the way to the beach and leave feeling it was hot, confusing and busy. Others give it a night or two, walk it with a good guide and call it the highlight of their trip. The difference is almost always in how the visit is planned. This guide is about getting that right.

Sto>Stone Town at a glance

le>What you need to knowDetailWhereWest coast of Unguja (Zanzibar Island), TanzaniaFrom the airportAbout 15 to 20 minutes by roadFrom the ferry portA short walk; ferries from Dar es Salaam take about 2 hoursStatusUNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000Ideal stayOne or two nightsGetting aroundOn foot; the lanes are too narrow for carsDressModest: shoulders and knees covered

Why>Why Stone Town looks the way it does

or centuries, monsoon winds carried trading ships between East Africa, Arabia, Persia and India. Zanzibar sat in the middle of that trade. In the 1800s, the Sultans of Oman moved their capital here, and the island grew rich on cloves and other spices. It also became the main slave market of East Africa, a history that still shapes the town.

That mix of African, Arab, Indian and European influence is written into the buildings. Indian-style doors with brass studs sit beside Omani carved frames. Swahili houses with shaded courtyards stand next to colonial offices. Walk for ten minutes and you pass a mosque, a Hindu temple and a cathedral.

Wha>What to see in Stone Town

hese are the places worth your time, with an honest note on each.

• Forodhani Gardens: the waterfront park in front of the old palaces. In the evening it fills with food stalls selling grilled seafood, sugarcane juice and Zanzibar pizza. Agree a price before you order.
• The Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe): built by the Omanis in the late 1600s, now a cultural space with craft shops and occasional performances.
• House of Wonders (Beit al-Ajaib): the sultan’s ceremonial palace and once the first building in East Africa with electricity. Part of it collapsed in December 2020 and it has been under restoration since. View it from outside and check whether any part has reopened.
• Palace Museum (Beit al-Sahel): a former sultan’s residence that shows royal life in the late 1800s.
• Christ Church Cathedral and the slave market memorial: built on the site of the last open slave market, closed in 1873. The heritage exhibition here is the most important stop on any visit.
• Darajani Market: fish, meat, spices and fruit. Go in the morning, when it is busiest and before the heat builds.
• The Old Dispensary: a beautifully restored building with carved balconies, near the port.
• Freddie Mercury’s birthplace: the Queen singer was born in Stone Town in 1946. A small museum now tells his early story.
• Sunset on the waterfront: a drink at a rooftop or seafront bar, watching dhows sail past, is the classic end to a Stone Town day.

For the town’s most famous historical episode, read our story of the world’s shortest war, which took place on this waterfront in 1896.

A s>A simple half-day walking route

f you have one morning, this order keeps walking short and saves the busiest places for when they are at their best:

1. Start early at Darajani Market, when the fish and spice stalls are busiest.
2. Walk to Christ Church Cathedral and the slave market memorial. Give the exhibition at least 45 minutes.
3. Wander west through the lanes, stopping to look at the carved doors. Many of the finest are on the streets around Hurumzi and Kiponda.
4. Reach the waterfront at the Old Fort, then walk past the House of Wonders and the Palace Museum.
5. Finish at the Old Dispensary near the port, then rest through the midday heat.

Come back to Forodhani Gardens at sunset for the food market. A guide makes this route far richer, because so much of Stone Town’s story is hidden behind closed doors and unmarked buildings.

Eas>Easy trips from Stone Town

Prison Island (Changuu): a 20 to 30 minute boat ride, with giant Aldabra tortoises and snorkelling.

A spice farm tour: a half-day trip inland to see and taste cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla growing.

A sunset dhow cruise: a relaxed way to see the town from the water.

Our list of things to do in Zanzibar covers the rest of the island.

How>How long to stay in Stone Town

le>TimeWhat fits comfortablyWhat it missesA few hours in transitA short walk and a mealThe history, the evening market, the sense of placeOne nightGuided walk, Forodhani at sunset, a morning in the marketDay tripsTwo nightsAll of the above plus Prison Island or a spice tour, at a relaxed paceVery littleThree nights or moreSlow exploring, cooking classes, more day tripsBeach time, unless your trip is long

For most visitors after a safari, one or two nights in Stone Town and the rest on the beach is the right balance. Roy Safaris’ 3-day Stone Town tour is built around that idea.

Pra>Practical advice that makes the visit easier

strong>Take a guided walk on your first afternoon. The lanes have few street signs and many look alike. A two to three hour walk with a good local guide shows you the layout and the stories behind the doors. You will then feel confident exploring on your own for the rest of your stay.

Expect street touts. Young men offering tours, taxis or boat trips gather near the port and Forodhani. A polite “no thank you” and walking on works well. Book trips through your hotel or a known operator.

Walk early and late. The middle of the day is hot and humid in the narrow lanes. Plan sightseeing for the morning and late afternoon, and rest at midday.

Dress modestly. Stone Town is a largely Muslim community. Cover shoulders and knees, and swimwear belongs on the beach only. During Ramadan, avoid eating and drinking in the street during the day, and expect some cafés to open only after sunset.

Carry small cash. Many small shops and stalls take only Tanzanian shillings or US dollars in cash.

Watch your step at night. The lanes are dark in places and motorbikes squeeze through them. Use a phone torch and stay on busier routes after dark.

Where to>Where to stay in Stone Town

Town has some of the most atmospheric small hotels in East Africa, many in restored merchants’ houses with rooftop terraces. There are also larger seafront hotels with pools, which are easier for families. Rooms in old buildings can be small and some have steep stairs, so check before booking if anyone in your group has limited mobility. Our list of the best hotels in Zanzibar includes Stone Town options.

Before y>Before you go

rs need mandatory inbound travel insurance, best bought before you travel. Zanzibar has had its own scheme since October 2024, and mainland Tanzania added one from 1 October 2026, so the policy you need depends on where you first enter the country. Rules can change, so check before you fly. Our guide to Zanzibar entry requirements explains how it works.

Quick an>Quick answers

one Town worth visiting?

Yes, if you give it at least one night and take a guided walk. Rushed visits in the midday heat are the ones that disappoint.

Is Stone>Is Stone Town safe?

lly yes for visitors who take normal care. Watch your belongings in crowds, use registered taxis and avoid very quiet lanes late at night.

Can you >Can you swim in Stone Town?

wn beach is not ideal for swimming. Most visitors swim on a day trip or at their beach hotel elsewhere on the island.

Is Stone>Is Stone Town the same as Zanzibar City?

Town is the historic old quarter of Zanzibar City. The modern city spreads around it.

If you would like Stone Town woven into a safari and beach trip, tell us your dates and we will suggest the right number of nights and a hotel that suits you.