Stone Town is the historic heart of Zanzibar City, the capital of the island of Unguja, and one of the most charming cities in East Africa. Its Swahili name is Mji Mkongwe, meaning “old city”; its English name, “Stone Town,” comes from the houses built of coral stone, especially in the 19th century, when it was the capital of the Sultanate of Zanzibar. Since 2000, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized as an outstanding example of a Swahili trading town, where African, Arab, Persian, Indian, and European influences blend.
You can explore it on foot in one or two days, losing yourself among narrow alleys, markets, mosques, sultans’ palaces, and the famous carved gates. It’s the ideal cultural stop to combine with a beach vacation in Zanzibar after a safari.
A Bit of History
The coast of Zanzibar had been inhabited and frequented by merchants from the Indian Ocean for many centuries, but the Stone Town we see today originated with the Sultanate of Oman. The Omanis took control of the island in the late 17th century, after driving out the Portuguese, and in 1840, Sultan Sayyid Said moved his capital there from Muscat. In the decades that followed, Arab and Indian merchants replaced the fishermen’s huts with stone houses and mansions, and Stone Town became the wealthiest port in the region.
Its wealth came from two trades: cloves, grown on the island’s plantations, and slaves, captured in the interior of the continent and sold in the city’s market, one of the largest in East Africa. The market was closed in 1873 under British pressure, and in 1890 Zanzibar became a British protectorate. In 1964, following independence and the revolution that brought an end to the sultanate, Zanzibar united with Tanganyika to form Tanzania; Stone Town has remained the seat of Zanzibar’s autonomous government. The full account can be found in our history of Tanzania.
What to See in Stone Town
The Anglican Cathedral and the Slave Memorial
Christ Church Cathedral was built beginning in 1873 on the very site of the last slave market, at the behest of Bishop Edward Steere, who is buried behind the altar. Next to it are the Slavery Memorial Center, featuring an exhibition that chronicles the slave trade, and the Slave Memorial, with five chained figures in a pit. Beneath the adjacent building, you can visit two cramped underground chambers where, according to tradition, slaves were confined before being sold. It is the most moving site in Stone Town and should be visited with a guide.
Forodhani Gardens and the Evening Market
Along the waterfront, Forodhani Gardens come alive at sunset with a street food market: fish and seafood skewers, the so-called “Zanzibar pizza”—a stuffed crêpe cooked on a griddle—and freshly squeezed sugarcane juice. It’s best to choose busy stalls where food is cooked right in front of you, and to agree on the price before ordering.
The Arab Fort
Built by the Omanis around 1700 to defend the city from the Portuguese,the Old Fort is the oldest building still standing in Stone Town. Inside, there are craft shops and an amphitheater that hosts concerts and festivals, including Sauti za Busara, the African music festival held every February.
The House of Wonders (Beit al-Ajaib)
Built in 1883 by Sultan Barghash as a state palace, it was the first building in East Africa to have electric lighting and an elevator, hence its name. It housed the Museum of Swahili History and Culture, but in December 2020, part of the facade collapsed, and the building is now closed for extensive restoration, funded by the government of Oman. Even from the outside, with its clock tower and wrought-iron balconies, it remains one of the landmarks of the waterfront.
The Palace Museum
Not far away, the Palace Museum (Beit al-Sahel) is the former palace of the sultans, now a museum featuring furnishings, portraits, and artifacts belonging to the royal family, as well as a room dedicated to Princess Salme, the sultan’s daughter who fled to Germany in the 19th century and wrote a famous autobiography.
The Darajani Market
The large covered Darajani Market, on the outskirts of the old city, is the best place to experience the island’s daily life: stalls selling fish, tropical fruit, and—above all— spices, from cloves to cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom. In the surrounding streets, you’ll find fabrics, kangas, and all kinds of goods. It’s crowded and chaotic—it’s best to go in the morning and carry as few valuables as possible.
The Old Dispensary
Located on the waterfront near the harbor, this late-19th-century building, with its carved wooden balconies, is one of the most ornate in Zanzibar. It was commissioned by the wealthy Indian merchant Tharia Topan as a hospital, was later used as a dispensary, and, following a restoration, now houses the Stone Town Cultural Center.
Mercury House
Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen, was born in Stone Town in 1946 as Farrokh Bulsara to a Parsi family of Indian origin. The so-called Mercury House, on Kenyatta Road, now houses a small museum dedicated to his childhood and career.
Places of worship
Stone Town’s places of worship reflect the diversity of its inhabitants: dozens of mosques, including the one in Malindi, one of the oldest; the Catholic Cathedral of St. Joseph, with its twin spires; and several Hindu temples, frequented by the community of Indian origin.
Architecture: The Doors of Zanzibar and the Barazas
As you stroll through Stone Town, you’ll immediately notice some typical elements of Swahili architecture:
- The carved doors, the symbol of the city. The older, Arabic-style doors are rectangular, with frames decorated with geometric patterns, verses from the Quran, and symbols such as the lotus flower or the fish, which are considered auspicious signs of prosperity and abundance. The Indian-style doors have arched tops and are often adorned with large brass studs. The door served as the family’s calling card and was often built before the house itself;
- the barazas, the stone benches along the facades, where people sit to chat, play cards, or drink coffee;
- the carved wooden balconies and verandas, influenced by Indian architecture, which provide shade from the sun and allow air to circulate.
However, the coral stone used to build the houses is fragile and requires constant maintenance: many buildings are in poor condition, and preserving the historic city is one of Zanzibar’s greatest challenges.
Day Trips from Stone Town
- Prison Island (Changuu): a small island a half-hour boat ride away, famous for the Aldabra giant tortoises and for snorkeling.
- Spice Tour: through the plantations around the city, to discover how cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, and cinnamon are grown.
- Jozani National Park: the only place where you can easily spot the red colobus, Zanzibar’s endemic monkey.
- The beaches: From Stone Town, it takes about an hour to reach the northern beaches, such as Nungwi and Kendwa, and those on the east coast, such as Paje and Jambiani.
All information about the island can be found in theZanzibar Archipelago fact sheet.
Practical Information
- How long to stay: One full day is enough to see the main sights; two nights will give you time to visit the evening market and go on one or two excursions.
- How to get around: Only on foot. The streets of the old town are too narrow for cars, and getting lost in the alleys is part of the experience. A local guide—at least for your first visit—is very helpful for understanding the history of the area.
- When to go: The best times are from June to October and from December to February. The long rains fall between March and May, and the short rains between November and December. See our guide to the best time to visit Zanzibar for more details.
- Clothing: Stone Town is a predominantly Muslim city. Clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is required, and authorities may fine those who do not comply. During Ramadan, it is respectful not to eat or drink in public.
- Safety: During the day, the city is peaceful. As in all tourist areas, be on the lookout for pickpockets and bag snatchers in crowded places, and in the evening, it’s best not to walk alone in dark alleys or on isolated beaches. Be wary of people who insistently offer to act as guides, and opt instead for guides recommended by your hotel or tour operator. For more information, see the guide “Is Tanzania Dangerous?”
- Documents: In addition to a visa for Tanzania, mandatory health insurance is required for entry. See the guide to visas for Tanzania and Zanzibar for full details.
Stone Town on Our Trips
In our Tanzania safari packages that include an extension to Zanzibar, we can include one or two nights in Stone Town before your beach stay, featuring a guided tour of the Old Town. It’s the best way to round out your trip: after experiencing the savanna, Swahili history, and culture, you can relax on the beach. Contact us to customize your itinerary.
