Zanzibar • Stone Town • Culture

Stone Town Zanzibar Guide: Things to Do, History & Tips

This Stone Town Zanzibar guide covers everything you need for a day or two in the island's historic heart. Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a maze of narrow alleys, carved doors, spice markets and rooftop cafés where Swahili, Arab, Indian and European influences meet. It is the perfect cultural start, or finish, to a Zanzibar beach holiday.

A short history of Stone Town

For centuries, Stone Town was one of the most important trading ports on the East African coast. Dhows arrived on the monsoon winds carrying goods between Africa, Arabia, Persia and India, and in the 19th century Zanzibar became the seat of the Omani sultans and a world centre of the clove trade.

That history is written into the buildings: coral-stone houses, grand merchant homes, mosques, churches and temples standing side by side. It also includes a painful chapter, as Zanzibar was once a major centre of the East African slave trade, a story told sensitively at the town's heritage sites.

The best things to do in Stone Town

1. Take a guided walking tour

Stone Town's alleys twist and turn, and it is easy to get lost. That's part of the fun, but a local guide brings the stories to life and shows you hidden corners you would never find alone. A Stone Town walking tour usually lasts two to three hours.

2. Admire the Zanzibar doors

Stone Town is famous for its intricately carved wooden doors, many of them centuries old. Rectangular doors with carved frames reflect Omani Arab style, while rounded tops and brass studs show Indian influence. Each door was a statement of the owner's wealth and status.

3. Visit the old slave market and Anglican Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral was built on the site of the last open slave market in Zanzibar, which closed in 1873. Today, the site includes a heritage centre and a moving memorial. It is a powerful, important visit that helps you understand the island's past.

4. Explore Darajani Market

Darajani is Stone Town's main market and a feast for the senses: piles of spices, tropical fruit, fresh fish and everyday island life. Go in the morning when it is busiest, and bring a little cash for spices to take home.

5. See the Old Fort

Built by the Omanis in the late 17th century, the Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe) sits right on the waterfront. Its courtyard often hosts craft stalls, and it is a natural stop on any walk through the old town.

6. Discover Freddie Mercury's birthplace

Freddie Mercury, the legendary lead singer of Queen, was born in Stone Town in 1946. A small museum tells the story of his early life on the island, a fun stop for music fans.

7. Sunset on the waterfront, then Forodhani night market

As the sun sets, head to Forodhani Gardens on the seafront. Each evening, food stalls fire up their grills with fresh seafood, skewers, sugarcane juice and the famous "Zanzibar pizza." It is lively, delicious and very Zanzibar.

Tip: Agree on prices before ordering at Forodhani, and choose food that has been freshly grilled in front of you.

8. Dine on a rooftop

Stone Town's rooftop restaurants offer some of the most romantic views on the island, with minarets, church towers and dhows in the harbour glowing in the evening light.

Climb to a rooftop as the call to prayer drifts across the old town and the sky turns gold over the harbour. It is the kind of evening that stays with you long after you return home.

Combine Stone Town with more of Zanzibar

Stone Town is the perfect base for several half-day trips: a spice tour, a boat trip to Prison Island to meet giant tortoises, or a swim on the Nakupenda sandbank. Afterwards, head to the coast. Our guide to where to stay in Zanzibar will help you choose a beach.

Practical tips for Stone Town

• Dress respectfully: cover your shoulders and knees, especially away from the beach.
• Ask before photographing people.
• Carry small cash for markets, tips and street food.
• Wear comfortable shoes, as the streets are narrow and uneven.
• During Ramadan, avoid eating and drinking in public during daylight hours out of respect.