🕌 Zanzibar, Tanzania
Things to do in Stone Town
A labyrinth of carved doors, spice markets and Swahili history
Stone Town is the historic, UNESCO-listed heart of Zanzibar — a labyrinth of narrow lanes, coral-stone houses, ornately carved wooden doors and bustling bazaars, where Swahili, Arab, Indian and European histories tangle together. Atmospheric and photogenic, and heavy with a sobering slave-trade past, it’s where every Zanzibar trip begins.
Time needed
1–2 days
Best time
June–October is dry, cooler and the most comfortable for wandering the town; it’s hot and humid year-round on the coast
Region
Zanzibar, Tanzania
Don’t miss
A guided walk through the labyrinth
The alleys are gloriously confusing, so a local guided walking tour is the best way in — the carved doors, the former slave market and Anglican cathedral, the old fort and the spice markets all make far more sense with someone to unravel them.
Check availability on GetYourGuideTop things to do in Stone Town
- The Forodhani Gardens night market for Zanzibari street food at dusk.Find tours
- A spice-farm tour tasting cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla.Find tours
- The former slave market, Anglican cathedral and the Old Fort.
- A sunset dhow cruise off the waterfront.Find tours
- A boat to Prison Island and its giant Aldabra tortoises.Find tours
Book Stone Town tours & tickets
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See all Stone Town experiences on GetYourGuideWhere to stay near Stone Town
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How to get to Stone Town
Stone Town sits on the west coast of Unguja, Zanzibar’s main island, a short taxi from the airport and the ferry terminal. Reach Zanzibar by a quick flight or the fast ferry from Dar es Salaam on the mainland.
Hire a car in Zanzibar
Compare rental deals — handy for reaching Stone Town at your own pace
Best time to visit
June–October is dry, cooler and the most comfortable for wandering the town; it’s hot and humid year-round on the coast.
Stone Town tips
- Dress modestly — Zanzibar is conservative and mostly Muslim, so cover shoulders and knees in town.
- Hire a guide for the labyrinth; it’s easy to get lost, and the history brings the lanes to life.
- Be at Forodhani market as the sun sets, when the food stalls fire up along the waterfront.
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