Culture & Heritage · Unguja Island, Zanzibar
Stone Town, Zanzibar
The historic heart of Zanzibar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, shaped by centuries of Swahili, Arab, Indian and European trade.
How to get there
By ferry from Dar es Salaam (roughly two hours) or direct flights to Zanzibar.
What to find
Coral-stone architecture, carved wooden doors, the House of Wonders, and the former slave market site now marked by a memorial and cathedral.
Overview
Stone Town, the old part of Zanzibar City, is one of the finest examples of a Swahili trading town in East Africa. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, and its buildings reflect over a thousand years of Swahili, Arab, Persian, Indian and European influence.
Narrow alleys wind between coral-stone houses with carved wooden doors, mosques, churches and bazaars. The town also has a darker history as a major centre of the East African slave trade, now remembered at the site of the former slave market.
Highlights
- The Anglican Cathedral and slave trade memorial, built on the site of the last slave market
- Carved Zanzibari doors and old merchant houses
- The Old Fort and the Palace Museum
- The Beit al-Ajaib (House of Wonders), under restoration after a partial collapse in 2020
- The Forodhani Gardens evening food market
Things to do
Heritage walk
A guided walk through the old town.
Spice tour
Visit spice farms outside the town.
Sunset dhow cruise
Sail along the waterfront.
Best time to visit
June to October and December to February are the driest. March to May is the long rainy season.
Getting there
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport is about 15 to 20 minutes away. Fast ferries from Dar es Salaam take about 2 hours.
Where to stay
Boutique hotels in restored merchant houses throughout the old town.
Stone Town, Zanzibar
A selection of well-known options, not a complete list. See all accommodation in Tanzania →
Good to know
- Dress modestly in town, covering shoulders and knees.
- Respect local customs during Ramadan.
Permit prices, park rules and access can change. We always confirm the latest details when we plan your trip.