Stone Town of Zanzibar | Travel Guide for First-time Visitors

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Aerial view over the town — Aerial view over Stone Town Zanzibar Stone Town, Tanzania. Photo by MariusLtu. © All rights reserved

The Old Dispensary Zanzibar Stone Town, Tanzania. Photo by Ariadne van Zandbergen. © All rights reserved

Swahili women walking in the street Zanzibar Stone Town, Tanzania. Photo by Ariadne van Zandbergen. © All rights reserved

Boats at Shangani Beach Shangani Beach, Tanzania. Photo by Ariadne van Zandbergen. © All rights reserved

Food stall at the Forodhani Gardens — Food stall at Forodhani Gardens Zanzibar Island, Tanzania. Photo by Ariadne van Zandbergen. © All rights reserved

Rooftop view over the town — Rooftop view over Stone Town Zanzibar Stone Town, Tanzania. Photo by Mfotophile. © All rights reserved

Stone Town waterfront — Stone Town's waterfront Zanzibar Stone Town, Tanzania. Photo by Ariadne van Zandbergen. © All rights reserved

Stone Town seen from the sea Zanzibar Stone Town, Tanzania. Photo by margo1778. © All rights reserved

Soccer game on the beach at sunset Shangani Beach, Tanzania. Photo by Ariadne van Zandbergen. © All rights reserved

Taarab music at Emerson Spice Secret Garden — Taarab music Zanzibar Stone Town, Tanzania. Photo by Ariadne van Zandbergen. © All rights reserved

Stone Town is an atmospheric enclave of traditional architecture and culture set at the heart of modern Zanzibar City. For centuries, this cosmopolitan port on the west coast of Zanzibar Island was the hub of

an Indian Ocean trade network that extended to Arabia, Asia and Europe. Today, Stone Town is one of East Africa’s most popular and accessible tourist attractions. Despite this, its historic harborfront and twisting alleys retain a rich sense of place – one that’s as compelling as it is enchanting.

Population: ± 850,000 (Zanzibar City); 16,000 (Stone Town)
Time Zone: Eastern Africa Time (UTC+3)
Languages: and English
Currency: Tanzanian shilling

Stone Town Tour Packages

First Time in Stone Town?

You’re in for a treat. Exploring Stone Town is an absolute delight, one summed up by the local catchphrases ‘pole pole’ (slowly slowly) and ‘hakuna matata’ (no problem). The harborfront and alleys are safe to navigate

on foot, and every fresh turn reveals another facet of this fascinating old town. True, getting lost is something of a rite of passage for newcomers. But the town is compact enough that you’ll soon hit a recognizable landmark, be it the ornate facade of the Old Dispensary, lively Darajani Market, or the Freddie Mercury Museum (housed in the Zanzibar-born singer’s former family home).Tourism and traditionalism make surprisingly comfortable companions in Stone Town. Many of the town’s architectural landmarks have been rescued from near-dereliction and repurposed as boutique hotels and restaurants. The recent tourist boom has also revived a once stagnant economy. Stone Town bustles with healthy commercial activity by day. But it’s arguably most enjoyable in the evening, when a cooling sea breeze and golden sunset caress west-facing Shangani Beach, and fresh seafood and spicy traditional Swahili cuisine are served at several waterfront restaurants.

Best Things To Do in Stone Town

Soak up the unique vibe of Stone Town’s alleys

Whether you take a guided tour or find your own way around, it’s fascinating to wander through the maze of narrow alleys at Stone Town’s historic heart.

Chill at harborfront Forodhani Gardens

By day, enjoy the leafy shade and sight of passing with billowing sails. In the evening, watch the sun set over the sea from the lively seafood-oriented night market.

Pay respects to the victims of the slave trade

The landmark Anglican Cathedral built on the site of Zanzibar’s infamous slave market after it closed in the 1870s houses a harrowing exhibition illuminating the horrors of the slave trade.

Visit the Freddie Mercury Museum

This modern museum dedicated to the life and times of Zanzibar-born Queen vocalist Freddie Mercury is housed on the ground floor of his former family home in Stone Town.

Hang out on Shangani Beach

Zanzibar is famed for its idyllic beaches. Stone Town’s Shangani Beach oozes urban character. For a more conventional beach experience, head out to trendy Nungwi, kitesurf-friendly Paje or pristine Mtende.

Shop for gorgeous fair-trade goods

Gizenga and Hurumzi Streets are lined with shops selling everything from art and handcrafted clothing to essential oils and spices. The ‘Made in Zanzibar’ logo guarantees fair-trade products.

Weave between stalls at vibrant Darajani Market

Sprawling around a covered building that dates to 1904, colorful Darajani is the commercial heart of Stone Town and a great place to buy spices, fruits and other local produce.

Admire the imposing Old Fort

One of the most impressive buildings on Stone Town’s waterfront, the Old Fort was built by Omani settlers between 1698 and 1701, and incorporates an older Portuguese church.

Set sail for Changuu (Prison) Island

A excursion to Changuu (Prison) Island, with its famous sanctuary, can be paired with a seafood barbecue on idyllic Nakupenda Beach.

Track Endangered monkeys in Jozani Forest

Guided walks in the forests of Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park reliably reward hikers with close-up views of the .

All Things To Do in Stone Town

Staying Safe

The Palace Museum — Stone Town’s waterfront

Stone Town is generally very safe. The old town retains a strong sense of community, and crime against tourists is rare. Walking around during daylight hours and in the early evening is fine. Late at night,

it might be wise to ask your hotel or restaurant to call a taxi. Pickpocketing is not generally a problem, but it would be a good idea to avoid carrying valuables when exploring Darajani Market. Few tourists venture out of Stone Town into other parts of Zanzibar City, but if you decide to do this, seek local advice.Stone Town swarms with hawkers and guides trying to sell their wares or services to tourists. This is not a security issue, but it can become annoying and some visitors find it stressful.

Getting There & Around

The main port of entry is Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), which lies within the bounds of Zanzibar City, 7km/4mi south of Stone Town. Most hotels and tour operators can arrange airport transfers, and taxis

are available.Some visitors first fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Dar es Salaam’s Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR). These are both connected to Zanzibar by several flights daily, as is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi (Kenya), Arusha Airport (ARK) and most other major towns and reserves in Tanzania.Several ferry companies operate multiple daily crossings between Dar es Salaam and Stone Town. This is cheaper than flying and the fastest ferries take less than 1 hour.Stone Town is very compact and most points of interest lie within easy walking distance of each other. Taxis are available, but are unable to navigate narrower alleys.

Want To Visit Stone Town?