Zanzibar City, Unguja island · Tanzania
A maze of coral-stone alleys, carved doors, spice markets and sultans' palaces on the Swahili coast.
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0
Stone Town is the old heart of Zanzibar City, a tangle of narrow alleys, coral-stone houses and bustling bazaars. For centuries it was a trading hub for spices, ivory and, darkly, enslaved people, and its architecture mixes Swahili, Arab, Indian and European styles. The whole district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The best way to see it is to walk without a plan. Look for the ornate carved wooden doors, studded with brass spikes, and for the balconied merchant houses. The House of Wonders, the Old Fort, the Anglican cathedral on the former slave market and the Sultan's Palace Museum all tell parts of the story, and at dusk the Forodhani Gardens fill with food stalls.
Zanzibar is also famed for its spices, and half-day spice farm tours from town are popular. Stone Town is the main base for catching ferries and flights to other islands, so most visitors spend two nights here before heading to the beaches. Dress modestly, since the population is largely Muslim.
Why visit
Stone Town is one of the most atmospheric historic towns in East Africa.
Not a museum, people live and trade here.
Hundreds of artisan examples.
Swahili, Omani and colonial.
Seafood, street snacks and spices.
Close to the airport and beaches.
Main attractions
Most sights are within a short walk of each other.
Studded wooden doors across the old town.
Tip Look for Indian and Swahili styles.
A grand waterfront palace turned museum.
Tip Check opening status before going.
A 17th-century Omani fort with an amphitheatre.
Tip Free to enter.
Waterfront park with sunset food stalls.
Tip Bargain and check prices.
A memorial and cathedral on the site.
Tip Allow time for the exhibition.
A busy covered market for fish, spices and fruit.
Tip Go in the morning.
Things to do
Allow time to wander and eat.
With a local guide.
Tip Learn about the history.
A half-day trip nearby.
Tip Taste fresh fruit.
A sunset cruise.
Tip Book with a licensed operator.
Grilled seafood and Zanzibar pizza.
Tip Check freshness.
Fabrics and spices.
Tip Bargain politely.
A Stone Town tradition.
Tip Reserve in advance.
Local food
Food in Stone Town blends African, Arab and Indian traditions.
A stuffed fried pancake.
Where to try it Forodhani Gardens.
Zanzibar mix soup.
Where to try it Street stalls.
Spiced rice with meat.
Where to try it Local restaurants.
Grilled octopus and kingfish.
Where to try it Waterfront stalls.
With cardamom and cloves.
Where to try it Cafes.
Accommodation
Stay in the heart of the old town or on its edge.
Transport
Stone Town is the main entry point to Zanzibar.
The old town is best on foot.
When to go
The dry season from June to October is the best time, with the hottest months in January and February.
Dry and sunny.
Hot and humid.
Long rains.
Short rains.
Worth planning around: April and May, during the long rains.
Itinerary
Alleys, palaces and spices.
History
Flavours
Travel tips
A few tips for visiting.
FAQ
Two days.
Generally, with common-sense care.
No, beaches are elsewhere.
Modest clothes.
Check dates, some places close by day.
Yes in the main town.
Keep exploring
Places that pair well with Stone Town, Zanzibar, whether you have a few spare days or are building a longer route.
Unguja island, Zanzibar, Tanzania
The north and east coast beaches of Zanzibar: Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje, Jambiani, Matemwe and Michamvi, plus snorkelling, kite-surfing and red colobus monkeys.
Don't miss Watching the tide drift out and a dhow sail past at sunset on a quiet beach.
Explore Destination — Zanzibar BeachesPwani Region, Indian Ocean, Tanzania
A relaxed marine park island south of Zanzibar, known for diving, whale shark encounters, turtles and the ruins on Chole.
Don't miss Snorkelling beside a whale shark in the warm waters off Mafia.
Explore Destination — Mafia IslandKilimanjaro Region, northern Tanzania, Tanzania
A trekkable giant with five climate zones, several routes, a UNESCO listing and gentler options like day hikes in the foothills and coffee farms.
Don't miss Standing on Uhuru Peak at sunrise after a midnight summit push.
Explore Destination — Mount KilimanjaroRead next
Heritage
A UNESCO listing tells you a place matters; it does not tell you whether it is worth two days and a detour. This is how to read the list usefully — and which sites reward building a trip around them.
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The most visited place in a country is rarely its best, and it is almost never its best value. This is a method for finding the destinations that do not make the postcards — and a set of examples from five of the 50 countries on this site.
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