Stone Town Trips & Tours

A time capsule in Zanzibar's capital with a head-turning maze of unique architecture and history.

A living museum where time seems to have stopped a couple of centuries ago, the higgledy-piggledy lanes and buildings of Stone Town have history etched into them. Once one of the most prolific ports in East Africa, traces of cultural and religious influences (Arab, Indian and European) entwine in the fascinating architecture, yet Stone Town has retained its quintessentially Swahili blueprint. It's very easy to get lost in a swirl of ornate Zanzibari doors, Sultanate mansions and coralline walls! Delve into the town's history at the ruins of the Old Fort, the House of Wonder, Palace Museum and the Christ Church Cathedral, which was built to commemorate the end of slavery in the location of the very last slave market in the world. And we couldn't skip Forodhani Gardens, where you can tuck into Zanzibar's famous chapattis, kebabs, seafood and tropical fruit, or a cup of Spiced Tea overlooking the ocean.

Things to do

What to do in Stone Town

An ancient city on Zanzibar Island, Stone Town is best explored on foot (with or without a guide). Most of the town was built in the 19th century and little has changed since then, so it's easy to spend hours wandering between sultanate mansions with ornate Zanzibari doors, museums to embellish your knowledge of its history, and highlights that include the House of Wonders, Old Fort and the home where Freddy Mercury was born. Then there are the fabulous food markets - just follow the scent of grilled seafood and chapatis, and rooftop gardens where you can take in the ocean views over a cup of spiced tea.

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