Stone Town Tour in Zanzibar, Tanzania - The Handy Guide For Visitors

The capital of the island of Zanzibar is Stone Town, often known as Zanzibar City. Stone Town, a city rich in culture, architecture, and history, is where any trip to Zanzibar begins. In the past, it served as both the hub for the slave traffic to the Middle East and the port for trade between the east and the west.

Nestled along the pristine Indian Ocean, the architecture of Stone Town has been influenced by African, Arab, Persian and Indian styles. This, at the same time, makes Stone Town paint a fascinating picture of Zanzibar, which was the key center for trading in East Africa in the past.

There are several essential facts regarding Stone Town you should know about before traveling. So that you can make the most of your trip to the Stone Town tour in Zanzibar, here is your go-to guide.

Is Stone Town Worth Visiting?

Yes, it is well worth the trip to Stone Town. African, Arab, and Indian elements are uniquely blended in this UNESCO World Heritage site in Tanzania; because of that, Stone Town has striking architecture, historic sites, and vibrant local culture. With busy marketplaces, spice stores, and historic buildings along every corner, exploring its winding lanes is like traveling back in time. Famous locations like the Old Fort and the House of Wonders offer an intriguing look into Zanzibar's past, but tourists can also enjoy real Swahili cuisine at the busy Forodhani Gardens.

Best Things To Do In Stone Town - Highlights of the Stone Town Tour in Zanzibar

The Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)

Start your Stone Town tour in Zanzibar by the Old Fort; this place is one of Stone Town’s most iconic landmarks and an unmissable stop on the tour. Built by the Omani Arabs in the 17th century to defend against Portuguese invasions, the fort stands as a symbol of Zanzibar’s resilience. In order to defend Zanzibar from possible attackers and the enormous coral stones, Old Fort was built. It has served as a prison, a garrison, and a tennis club in the past.

Today, there are many things that travelers can experience like cultural events, craft stores, and an outdoor theater at the fort. Travelers can visit and walk around the courtyards and see what still remains of past battles. In the fort, travelers can see locals here displaying their goods for sale; those are hand-made crafts. The fort has no entrance fee; therefore, travelers can visit it anytime during the day. The Old Fort is one of the best places to visit in Stone Town for foreign travelers

The Old Fort - Ngome Kongwe

The House of Wonders (Beit al Ajaib)

The House of Wonders, or Beit al Ajaib, once the largest structure in Stone Town, tragically collapsed in 2020 and is now in ruins. Originally built as a sultan’s palace, this building was the first in East Africa to have electricity and an elevator, hence its name. The House of Wonders is now a museum; in this place has exhibits and artifacts chronicling Zanzibar's history. Travelers can see from its Swahili origins to its trade relations with the Arab world.

The House of Wonders

Night Market in Forodhani Gardens

Take a walk in the Forodhani Gardens, which are close to the port, rather than dining at your hotel.

The area is crowded with vendors starting at 6 p.m. who are eager to sell you Zanzibar pizza, fresh fish, and other mouthwatering treats.

When you check at every stall, you'll see that some of the seafood stalls don't offer menus or pricing, but many do. Avoid dining at stands without prices as they will probably try to con you into paying exorbitant costs for your food.

Night Market in Forodhani Gardens

The Slave Market Memorial and Anglican Cathedral

Next in the Stone Town tour in Zanzibar, we will see the site of the former slave market, which is one of the most somber yet essential stops on the Stone Town tour. Seeing the slave market in Stone Town A terrible and very dark chapter in Stone Town's history is Zanzibar. The greatest and final slave market in East Africa ended in 1873 and was located in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

This memorial honors those who perished in the East African slave trade, which once had Zanzibar as a major hub. Constructed on the site of a former slave market, the Anglican Cathedral is home to moving reminders of this gloomy time period, such as the underground rooms used to house enslaved people.

The Slave Market museum

Prison Island

Prison Island is one of the things to see in Stone Town. Prison Island has a dark history in the slave trade, although it wasn't actually a prison. Although it was constructed to be one, it never fully fulfilled that function.

On Changuu Island, the British built a jail complex, but no inmates were ever kept there. Soon after, it was converted into a major quarantine station for East Africa because the British were worried about the development of bubonic plague, yellow fever, and cholera.

Today, the island is famous for being a tortoise refuge and home to the Aldabra giant tortoises. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site is the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles, where the Aldabra Tortoises first appeared. With a maximum weight of 200 kg and a lifespan of 150 years, they are the second largest tortoise in the world. You can spend as much time as you like interacting with more than a hundred tortoises on this small island, which is only 30 minutes away by boat from Stone Town.

Prison Island

Walk Around the Stone Town

The greatest way to experience the culture and learn about the history of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is to take a Stone Town walking tour. You should hire a travel guide, they will show you all of Stone Town, Tanzania's tourism highlights, during the two- to three-hour tour. Plus provides you with informed analysis on each of them. Architecture, religion, spices, trade, families, and the rich heritage of Zanzibar will all be covered. Discover which famous people call Stone Town home, hear some funny stories, and find out which restaurants in Stone Town are the best.

Around Stone Town Street

Stone Town Itinerary - Before Taking A Stone Town City Tour 

How to get to Stone Town?

Getting to Stone Town, the cultural heart of Zanzibar, can be done easily through various modes of transportation, depending on where you are coming from. Here are the main options:

By Air

If you are traveling internationally, you’ll likely fly into Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. From there, you can take a short domestic flight to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) in Zanzibar, which is just a short drive from Stone Town.

Get yourself a Tanzania e-visa is required in order to enter Zanzibar legally. Tanzania Immigration Services is here to help you get travel documents within a few days. Therefore, you can plan your Zanzibar trip without difficulties.

By Ferry

A popular way to reach Stone Town from Dar es Salaam is by ferry. Several companies operate ferries between the two cities, with the journey typically taking about 2 hours. Ferries depart regularly throughout the day and offer a scenic view of the ocean.

Traveling to Stone Town is easy

Where to eat in Stone Town?

Stone Town offers a delightful array of dining options, from local eateries to upscale restaurants, allowing visitors to savor the rich flavors of Zanzibari cuisine. Here are some top places to eat in Stone Town:

• Tea House Restaurant: 236 Hurumzi Street, Emerson on Hurumzi, Stone Town.
• Lukmaan Restaurant: New Mkunazini Road, The Mkunazini Baobab Tree, Stone Town.
• Forodhani Gardens: Major Road, Zanzibar, Zanzibar West.

Where to stay in Stone Town?

Stone Town, Zanzibar's major city, features plenty of excellent beachfront hotels with breathtaking views. Here are some of the top places to stay in Stone Town for tourists.

• Zanzibar Serena Hotel: As one of the smallest luxury hotels in the world, the Serena Inn doesn't quite fit in with the character of Stone Town, but frankly, that's a good thing! It offers the perfect opportunity to escape what can be quite a busy town. The pool is one of the best in Stone Town, with a beautiful view of the ocean and a great place to enjoy a sunset cocktail.
• Park Hyatt Zanzibar: The Park Hyatt is a large hotel located on the beach side of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As one would expect, the Park Hyatt pays great attention to detail and offers attentive, professional service.
• The Zanzibar Coffee House: A cozy guesthouse with a warm atmosphere, offering comfortable rooms and a delightful café serving fresh coffee and local pastries.
• Mizingani Seafront Hotel: A mid-range hotel with a fantastic location along the seafront, featuring comfortable rooms and a lovely pool area.
• Tembo Hotel: This hotel has failed us in the past, thus we do not recommend it. Some accommodations are excellent, but the service standards are nothing near the level of its competitors. More crucially, it is a dry hotel, which is an absolute headache for those of us who enjoy a sundowner!

Conclusion: Step into History on a Stone Town Tour in Zanzibar

A Stone Town tour in Zanzibar is a journey through time and culture that resonates with every traveler. With its captivating architecture, mouthwatering cuisine, and intriguing blend of cultures, Stone Town captures the essence of Zanzibar’s history and invites visitors to connect with its past. Whether you’re walking through the Old Fort or savoring seafood in Forodhani Gardens, Stone Town offers a rich, rewarding, and unforgettable experience that embodies the magic of Zanzibar.