TOP THINGS TO DO IN STONE TOWN, ZANZIBAR (2023)
Stone Town is one of the most famous landmarks in Tanzania and a must-visit when traveling to Zanzibar island. In this guide you will find why, how to get there and all you need to know about visiting it.
Planning a visit to Tanzania and curious about Stone Town in Zanzibar?
My advice is to spend at least one day In Stone Town and get in touch with its history.
ABOUT STONE TOWN
Stone Town, also known as Mji Mkongwe, (Swahili for “Old Town) is the old part of Zanzibar City, the main city of Zanzibar island, in Tanzania. It is located in the western coast of Unguja, the main island in the Zanzibar achipelago.
Stone Town is a city of notable historical and artistic importance in East Africa and it was a flourishing center for slave and spice trade on the 19th century under the Zanzibar Sultanate.
Its historical center buildings featuring a mixture of Arab, Persian, Indian and European elements, represent the diverse influences underlying the Swahili culture.
The Town was appointed a world UNESCO heritage site in 2002. Due to its architectural richness and proximity to some of the most beautiful beaches in East Africa, Stone Town is today a mayor tourist attraction in Tanzania and a big part of its economy is dependent on tourism.
Stone Town is a must-visit place when traveling to Tanzania.
I have been to Stone Town several times, as Zanzibar is my favorite island in the world, and I always like to spend some days or weeks in Stone Town when I visit this idyllic island.
HOW TO GET TO STONE TOWN
Stone is located in Unguja West coast and 98 km from Dar Es Salaam, the main business city in Tanzania. You can either get to Stone by plane or by boat.
I am adding here a pin with the location of Stone Town (Zanzibar city on the map)
GETTING TO STONE TOWN BY PLANE
There is an international airport in Stone Town, Abeid Amani Karume International Airport. International flights from many different big cities around the world are landing in Zanzibar.
You can always check availability for your flight here.
GETTING TO STONE TOWN BY BOAT
There are several daily boats operating between Dar Es Salaam and Stone Town.
The trip takes around two hours and I recommend you to book in advance as there are lots of local people traveling between Zanzibar and Tanzania Mainland everyday and the boats can get pretty crowded.
There are a few companies operating this trip daily. You can book your ticket here.
Find here the boat itinerary from Dar Es Salaam to Stone Town
THINGS TO DO IN STONE TOWN
Here it is a list of all the main landmarks and things to do in Stone Town. You can walk to most of the places by yourself but when you are on a short time and, if you want to have all the accurate historical insights, I recommend you to hire a guide.
You can contact Bakari Hoya +255655385109. He helped organizing many of my trips in Tanzania.
Or book an online tour
ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST CHURCH, FORMER SLAVE MARKET
The Anglican Cathedral of Christ was built were the biggest slave market in East Africa operated. As my tour guide told me when I visited the place “ A church was built were very bad things happened to clean the energy of the place”.
This place can be visited for a small amount of money including a free guide that will show you the place around and will explain you the history of slavery in East Africa and how it ended.
TIP: Always remember to tip your guide
You will be able to access the rooms where the slaves were kept, before being shipped in dhows to the middle East. The rooms are located under a small museum where there are several informative panels about the history of slavery.
Inside the Anglican Cathedral of Christ there is a cross made of wood. The wood is from the tree under which David Livingstone died.
Outside the church you can find the slave market memorial that was made of chains that were used to hold the slaves in captivity.
TASTE LOCAL FOOD AT LUUKMAN
Luukman is the most famous local food restaurant in Stone Town. There are several food dishes on display that you can order and the food prices are pretty reasonable.
Luukman is located just a few meters away from the entrance to the Anglican Cathedral Church very close to an ancient Baobab tree.
Waiters are very kind and they will carefully explain all you need to know about the local dished when ordering the food. I have eaten several times at Luukman and it was always a great experience.
DARAJANI MARKET
Darajani market is the most local experience you can have in Stone Town. You can buy almost everything at the Darajani market. You will most likely be the only foreigner walking around when visiting it.
In the late afternoon there is a fish auction happening everyday.
GET LOST IN THE LITTLE ALLEYS
Google maps will get you lost when walking around the intricate maze of streets in Stone Town. Wandering around this historical city and getting lost while admiring every corner was one of my favorite things to do in Stone Town.
MAKE A PHOTO COLLECTION OF STONE TOWN DOORS
Most Zanzibar doors are over a century old and they are finely carved doors made of mahogany or teak. There are doors of Indian, Arab and Swahili origin and the carvings in the doors represent in some cases the social status of the profession of the inhabitants of the buildings.
WATCH THE MAKACHU DIVERS AT SUNSET TIME
The Makachu divers are a group of young talented boys who perform skilled jumps into the sea everyday at sunset time.
They have grown a big online following and become an Instagram sensation. Please remember to tip the guys if you go to watch them.
VISIT THE FORODHANI GARDENS
The Forodhani gardens are located close to the sea and just in front of the Old Fort and the House of Wonders.
You can pay them a visit during the day to mingle in the local live or take a walk at night and taste some of the food in the night Forodhani food market.
TAKE A DAY TRIP TO PRISON ISLAND
Changuu or Prison island Zanzibar is an island that is located just half hour boat ride from the Stone Town harbor.
The island served as a quarantine island, prison island and a coral mine along the years and it is home to some endangered Aldabra giant tortoises, which were a gift from the governor of the Seychelles.
The trip to prison island is usually combined with a trip to the Nakupenda beach , where a fish barbacue is prepared to conclude the tour.
VISIT THE HOUSE OF WONDERS
The house of wonders located in front of the Forodhani gardens is the tallest and most prominent building in Stone Town.
It used to house a museum inside but at the moment it is closed due to disrepair. You can still walk around and see the building from outside.
TAKE A WALK TO THE OLD DISPENSARY
The Old Dispensary, located in Mizingani road, is one of the most beautiful buildings in Stone Town.
The building is a landmark of the multicultural heritage of the city. The wooden balconies and decorations are of Indian origin. The structure made of Zanzibary coral rag and limestone and the stucco adornments are of European style.
The building in 2022 is undergoing renovation and it will become a hospital in the near future.
WANDER AROUND THE OLD FORT
The Old Fort main structure was built by the Portuguese that stayed in Zanzibar for two centuries and later finished by the Arabs that expelled the Portuguese.
Visiting the Old Fort is one of the few free things to do in Stone Town and really worth the time.
Nowadays there is a curio market inside the Old Fort and a restaurant where you can sit an sip a coffee or have a nice meal while imagining the stories lived inside those walls.
The Old Fort is also called Arab Fort or Ngome Kongwe, in Swahili. It was declared a cultural center in 1990 and an amphitheater was built.
ENJOY SOME TARAAB MUSIC AT THE OLD FORT AMPHITHEATER
Taarab music is a multicultural music style popular in Tanzania and Kenya. If you are lucky to be in Stone Town when an event is happening you could be lucky to enjoy some free great Taraab musicians on the Old Fort Amphitheater stage.
This is another one of the few free things to do in Stone Town and really worth it. Just ask around the Old Fort during the day what the performance for that night is and I hope you are lucky and can enjoy some great music.
BUY A SOUVENIR
There are so many beautiful souvenir shops in Stone Town. From traditional Kitenge dresses to ebony earrings and Maasai jewelry, I am sure you will find a colorful hand made gift that your friends will love once you are back home.
VISIT THE SULTAN PALACE
The Sultan palace is located between the House of Wonders and the Old Dispensary. It has become a museum about the history of Zanzibar and will give you some insights about how life in Zanzibar was in the XIX century.
RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS IN STONE TOWN
There are several mosques and churches in Stone Town that you can visit to give you an idea of the history of the city.
It is very special to be inside a church while hearing the mosque call for prayer from the “catholic museum in Stone Town”, Saint Joseph cathedral.
SNACK SOME STREET FOOD
Stone Town streets are filled with street food vendors. You can enjoy all sorts of fish, barbecue meat and vegetables and save some money while supporting the local people.
FREDDY MERCURY HOUSE
Before I visited Zanzibar I had always thought that Freddy Mercury was of European union. But this legend of Rock and Roll was born in Zanzibar. He was born in 1946 in Stone Town and fled the Zanzibari revolution in 1964, when his family moved to England.
His house is now a museum where you can see some photo collections of his younger years and learn about his life.
PERSIAN BATHS, HAMAMNI BATHS
In the 19th century a complex of Persian baths was built for the Sultan of Zanzibar. The baths are closed these days and have become a museum that can be visited for a small fee.
DRINK TAMARINDO JUICE
Tamarindo juice is a very popular juice among local people in Zanzibar. These Tamarindo juices are very high into antioxidants. Just walk around and find a local restaurant where you can enjoy a glass of this delicious juice for as little as half a dollar.
WATCH THE SUNSET FROM STONE TOWN BEACH
Stone town beach is not the greatest of Zanzibar island but it is usually pretty busy in the evening with locals playing sports of hanging around.
The sunset view from there can be pretty amazing as you can see the Sun sinking in the sea and the traditional Zanzibari dhows drawing a shadow on the Sun sphere.
TAKE A SPICE TOUR
The spice tour is one of the most popular tours when visiting Zanzibar island. The tour will take you to an organic spice farm where you can see the spices and exotic fruits plantations.
Lunch is usually included in these tours. You can usually book the tour through your hotel or negotiated with some of the tour guides in the seafront area of Stone Town.
You can also book online if you are on a short time and you want to make a bit of planning ahead of your trip.
SIP A SPICED COFFEE
Ginger flavored coffee is usually offered in on the local restaurants in Stone Town. Just take a break and enjoy one of these excellent local coffees in the heart of Stone Town.
GET A DRESS DONE AT A STONE TOWN TAILOR
There are so many tailors in Stone Town and they are great ones. It is true you can buy beautiful dresses in the many souvenir shops in the little Stone Town streets. But, why not make a custom made Kitenge dress for yourself.
Prices are negotiable and usually much cheaper than getting a custom-made dress in any other places in the world.
PLACES TO EAT IN STONE TOWN
LOCAL FOOD
Luukman – I am mentioning it here again as it has become a Stone Town landmark and must-do activity when visiting the city. Food is local but the place has become a tourist attraction and prices are more expensive than in genuine local restaurants. I recommend to eat here, at least once, when visiting Zanzibar.
Home Base – This restaurant just located a few blocks away from Luukman is a great choice when you want to try local food in Stone Town and pay local prices.
I recommend trying their Tamarindo juice.
Baghani Kiosk– This is a really local restaurant and you will not find any other tourists here. The food is really delicious and prices are super local. I specially enjoyed they “Dagaa soup” Dagaa is little fish in Swahili. It is located very near the Catholic museum.
Forodhani food market– The Forodhani food market is open everyday and they serve all kinds of food, mostly sea food. You can also find pizza and some vegan food. The market is located in the seafront area of the Forodhani gardens.
Food is delicious but over priced as the place is a main tourist attraction in Stone Town. It is still a must do in Stone Town to eat some local food here.
WHERE TO SLEEP IN STONE TOWN
I have stayed several times in Zanzibar and I can recommend you these four different places where I have stayed myself.
Antonio Garden – This hotel is very closed to Luukman restaurant. The rooms are located in a beautiful colonial style building and there is a nice recreational area with a swimming pool and a restaurantant.
Kelele Square– This is a little hotel located close to the beach. The rooms are small but very clean and the price is very affordable.
Spice Palace – This hotel has nice luxury rooms and great service. They have a lovely roof terrace with a restaurant. On the basement there is a bar where live music is plays sometimes and a very small pool.
Zava house – This little guest house has very nice and comfortable rooms. It is located walking distance to all the main attractions and it has a kitchen. Price is very affordable.
STONE TOWN TIPS AND FAQS
WHY IS STONE TOWN FAMOUS?
Stone Town is famous for its wooden carved doors that are a mixture of Indian and African influences. It is estimated that there are more than 500 doors in Stone Town.
Stone Town is also famous for being the main city of one of the best beach destinations in Africa, Zanzibar.
IS STONE TOWN WORTH A VISIT?
Yes, Stone Town is really worth a visit and a true cultural travel experience. There are many activities that you can do In Stone Town that will help you learning more about Eastern Africa and Tanzanian history.
DO YOU NEED A GUIDE IN STONE TOWN?
While you can walk to the main attractions in Stone Town by yourself, I recommend you visiting Stone Town with a qualified guide.
There are many historical and cultural insights that you will miss when visiting Stone Town on your own. The island relies mainly on tourism and you will be supporting a local family when visiting with a guide.
HOW LONG SHOULD YOU SPEND IN STONE TOWN?
Most people who are on a short trip in Zanzibar island spend one day in Stone Town. I would recommend you to stay at least 3 or 4 days to get a feel of the city and be able to enjoy all the main attractions at a slow pace.
I really love Stone Town and have spent weeks there.
WHAT TO BUY IN STONE TOWN?
There are many nice souvenir shops in Stone Town where you can buy very nice African Kitenge clothes and Maasai shoes and jewelry. You can buy a lot of different spices to bring home with you. Zanzibar is the “spice island”
IS STONE TOWN SAFE?
Stone Town is pretty safe during the day. But I would not recommend you to walk alone at night as thefts sometimes happen, especially in the little dark alleys.
OTHER ZANZIBAR AND TANZANI GUIDES
Have you enjoyed this article and you are planning to visit some other places in Zanzibar? Check here some other guides I have written to this island:
- Mnemba island snorkeling
- Prison island Zanzibar
- Nakupenda beach guide
- Things to do in Nungwi: The best beaches in Zanzibar
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- Usambara Mountains
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