Stone Town

Why Stone Town Is the Soul of Zanzibar

Stone Town is the old quarter of Zanzibar City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the western edge of Unguja island. Its name comes from the coral-rag stone used to build its tightly packed houses, and its character from a thousand years of Indian Ocean trade that drew Swahili, Arab, Persian, Indian, and European influences into one dense, walkable maze.

Getting pleasantly lost is the point. Narrow lanes open onto mosques, Hindu temples, bazaars, and grand merchants’ houses studded with the carved wooden doors Zanzibar is famous for. Landmarks include the House of Wonders, the Old Fort, the former slave market and Anglican cathedral, and the birthplace of Freddie Mercury. At dusk the Forodhani Gardens night market fills with grilled seafood and Zanzibari street food.

Almost every Zanzibar trip begins or ends here. A day or two of culture, spice tours, and history pairs naturally with the island’s beaches, and Stone Town is the arrival point for flights and ferries from the mainland and Dar es Salaam.

What to See & Do

• UNESCO-listed labyrinth of coral-stone houses and famous carved doors
• House of Wonders, the Old Fort, and the historic seafront
• The former slave market and Anglican cathedral, with a sobering museum
• Forodhani Gardens night market — grilled seafood and Zanzibari snacks
• Spice tours, dhow sunset cruises, and Swahili cultural heritage

How a Visit Works

Stone Town is a short drive from Zanzibar’s Abeid Amani Karume International Airport and the ferry terminal that links to Dar es Salaam. It is explored entirely on foot with a local guide who can navigate the lanes and bring the history alive. Most travellers spend one or two nights here before transferring to a beach, or as a cultural finish to a safari.

We wandered for hours past carved doors and spice stalls, ended at the Forodhani night market over grilled seafood, and felt we’d touched a thousand years of history. — Guest review, TripAdvisor

Things to Do

• Stone Town walking tour and cultural exploration
• Spice farm visit and island history tour
• Beach relaxation, dhow cruises, and snorkelling