Stone town tour : A comprehensive guide
Stone town tour : Are you looking for the top things to do in Stone Town as you make travel plans to Zanzibar? If so, then you should read this guide.
One of the oldest areas of Zanzibar is Stone Town, which the locals also refer to as Mji Mkongwe. Located on Unguja Island’s (Main Island’s) western side, the city is well-known for its extensive history, culture, street food, and architecture, all of which have strong Arab, Indian, Persian, and some European influences. For all visitors who are genuinely interested in the history and culture of the people of Zanzibar, this is a must-see attraction. During your trip to Zanzibar, this guide will assist you in discovering more activities in Stone Town.
THE STONE TOWN TOUR
The Stone Town Tour in Zanzibar is a fantastic private guided walking tour that we at Select Adventure Safari offer. We can arrange the pickup from your hotel and return, and the tour last from three hours to full day. During this tour, visitors will have the chance to learn about the historical sites and the island’s inhabitants, as well as their daily lives.
Due to the fact that you will have a knowledgeable and amiable local tour guide who will explain things in detail, this tour is the best way to learn more about the people and culture of Zanzibar. You can reserve this tour with us whether you stay inside or outside of Stone Town. Visitors staying outside of Stone Town will have private return transportation set up from their hotel.
HERE ARE THE DIFFERENT PLACES YOU WILL SEE ON THE STONE TOWN TOUR
House of Wonders
The Sultan Barghash bin Said al-Busaidi constructed the first and largest building in Zanzibar in 1883. It is also known as Bayt el Ajaib in Arabic. The building is known as the “house of wonders” because it was the first elevator-equipped home in East Africa.
The house is now situated in Stone Town, between the Palace Museum and the Old Fort. A combination of coral rag, stones, concrete slabs, mangrove shoots, and steel beams were used in the construction of this home.
Former slave market
According to legend, it was the last slave market in East Africa before it was abolished in 1873. It is situated on Mkunazini Street in Stone Town, Zanzibar. The largest tourist destination in Stone Town is Christ Church Cathedral, an Anglican church built in 1879 by British missionaries.
Freddie Mercury’s House
Located on Gizenga Street in Stone Town, Zanzibar, and the same home where Freddie and his family spent his formative years. The museum is small, but it is worth going to, especially if you are a fan. It is one of the must-see attractions in Stone Town because it will give you more insight into Freddie Mercury’s Zanzibar childhood.
Amazing paintings and various handwritten lyrics can be found inside the museum. You will have a chance to visit this location as part of our historical Stone Town tour, and our guide will give you more details about the location.
Darajani Market
This is a crucial local market to visit if you reside in Stone Town or plan to travel there in order to experience local life on Zanzibar or to buy presents for your loved ones when you return home. The oldest, most distinctive, and largest market in Zanzibar is located here. The main bazaar in Stone Town, Zanzibar, Darajani Market, was constructed under Sultan Ali bin Hamud, the eighth Sultan of Zanzibar, who ruled from 1902 to 1911.
Old Fort/Arab Fort
The Old Fort, also known as Arab Fort and by the locals as “Ngome Kongwe, is one of Stone Town’s oldest and most historic structures. It is situated next to the House of Wonders and faces Forodhani Park. After driving the Portuguese out in 1699, the Omani Arabs ruled and built the fort.
It was used as a garrison and prison in the late 1800s, and from 1905 to 1928, it served as the official Zanzibar Railways terminal connecting Stone Town and Bububu village. It is now one of Stone Town’s tourist destinations.
Forodhani Garden
One of the best free spots in Stone Town to unwind and take in the sunset is Forodhani Park, which is situated in front of the House of Wonders and the Zanzibar Old Fort. The park faces the Indian Ocean, which gives the garden an amazing, breath-taking atmosphere. This is usually the last stop on our tour of Stone Town.
There is a unique night market that opens in the evening where you can find a wide range of fresh foods, including Zanzibar pizza, Chapati, grilled lobsters, octopus, squid, fish, and many others.
Prison Island Tour
Prison Island, also referred to by the locals as “Changuu Island,” is among the most popular activities in Stone Town, Zanzibar. During this tour, you will swim and snorkel, feed the giant turtles and play with them, learn about the island’s brief history, and understand why it is called “Prison Island.”
There are actually two places from which we can depart for Prison Island: either in front of the Mizingani Seafront Hotel or, on occasion, in front of the Livingstone Beach Restaurant close to the Forodhani Garden.
Relaxing on the Nakupenda Sandbank
Near Stone Town, Nakupenda Sandbank is regarded as the best beach for relaxation. It is also ranked as one of the top beaches in the Zanzibar Islands. Nakupenda Sandbank should be on your list if you enjoy the ocean and beaches. On this tour, you can enjoy swimming and snorkeling, relaxing on the sandbank, sunbathing, and a fresh seafood BBQ prepared with mouthwatering tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, watermelon, and banana.
Traditional sunset dhow cruise
The most romantic activity for a couple in Stone Town is this. A traditional Zanzibar sailing boat tour lasts for one and a half hours. In Stone Town, the tour begins in front of the Livingstone Beach Restaurant. To make the most of your day, we advise combining a Stone Town tour with a sunset dhow cruise.
The Sunset Dhow Cruise typically departs from the Livingstone Beach Restaurant at 17:00 and travels to the Mtoni Beach area before returning to Stone Town as the sun slowly sets and offers a stunning view of the city from the water. You will be served local snacks and soft drinks on board.
Go on the Spice Farms Tour.
Yes! While staying in Stone Town, it is possible to take a tour of the spice farms. If you choose to stay in Stone Town rather than other locations like Nungwi Beach, a spice farm tour is very affordable.
As a result of the farms’ proximity to Stone Town, you can combine your visit with other activities like a trip to Prison Island or Jozani Forest. You will learn during this tour why Zanzibar is known as the “Spice Islands.” The tour will cover all of the Zanzibar-grown spices, and our guide will go into more detail about their cultivation, harvesting, and use in local dishes.
Trying Seafood at Forodhani Night Market
The best nighttime activity in Stone Town, Zanzibar, is this. Forodhani Night Market is the place to go if you’re looking for something to eat at night on your first day in Stone Town. This is a good location to learn more about the seafood that Zanzibar has to offer.
You can order a wide range of foods, including Zanzibar pizza, fried breadfruits, cassava, and fresh spiced sugar cane juice, in addition to seafood. In Stone Town, right in front of the House of Wonders, is where the Forodhani Garden located.
Buying Tanzanite in Stone Town
Almost everything that is sold in Zanzibar and all of Tanzania can be found in Stone Town. In Stone Town, you can purchase a variety of jewelry sets with Tanzanite. Jewelry such as necklaces, earrings, pendants, and engagement rings. The name “tanzanite” was given because the only known tanzanite deposit in the world is in the northern region of Tanzania, close to Mount Kilimanjaro. The original and scientific name of Tanzanite is “blue-violet zoisite. Blue Gems Zanzibar, Tanzanite Gallery, Zenji Treasures, and Johari Treasures are the top tanzanite retailers in Stone Town.
Enjoy the drone view of Stone Town.
The oldest area of Zanzibar, Stone Town, features a stunning fusion of architectural styles from various ethnic groups, including Persians, Africans, Indians, and a little bit of the West. We advise you to visit one of the rooftop restaurants to get a great view of the Stone Town structures and to get a sense of how big they are and how they appear. Our guide will take you to a Swahili house rooftop during the historical Stone Town walking tour to show you a drone view of the area.
Watching traditional music in Stone Town
At the Dhow Countries Music Academy, you can kill time by listening to Taarab and Kidumbak, two types of Zanzibari cultural music. This music school is situated close to the Mizingani Seafront Hotel and the Palace Museum. The entrance fee is 10,000 Tanzanian shillings ($5).
Buying spices at Darajani Market
When traveling to Zanzibar with us, tourists frequently request spices and inquire about the best places to purchase them. We added it to our list of things to do in Stone Town as a result of this. Yes, you can buy a variety of spices at the Darajani Market, including cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla, and nutmeg.
Darajani spices are pre-packaged to make it simpler for you to transport them in your bag. You can use this guide to find the best Zanzibar Spice Farms Tours, which include lunch and fruits, if you want to purchase spices directly from the farms.
Have lunch at Luqman Restaurant.
The least expensive restaurant is Luqman Restaurant, which serves a variety of Zanzibari regional dishes. It is situated in Stone Town on Mkunazini Street. In close proximity to the former slave market (Anglican Cathedral). One of Stone Town’s top dining establishments is Luqman. This restaurant is frequently frequented by tourists and locals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Souvenirs Shopping
Without mentioning souvenir shopping, the list of things to do in Stone Town cannot be considered complete. Make sure you have a bag large enough to hold your belongings if you are going to Stone Town specifically to shop for souvenirs.
The Masai tribe from Tanzania’s mainland and the local women from Zanzibar Islands make the majority of the wonderful souvenirs available in Stone Town; they are all genuine, lovely, and handcrafted.
As a result, when you buy, you also support the neighborhood. As a result of its enormous selection of gifts, Memories of Zanzibar is a well-known place where tourists who visit Stone Town go to buy souvenirs.
Learn more about Zanzibar Doors.
One of the reasons why many tourists travel to Stone Town is to learn about Zanzibar doors and the town’s architectural style. The magnificently carved Zanzibar doors are the Stone Town streets’ most iconic feature.
The history of Zanzibar’s doors contains a wealth of information. These doors served as a way to display the socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and cultural practices of their owners in addition to serving as doors. With the help of our knowledgeable local tour guide, you will learn more about Zanzibar during our half-day excursion.
Snorkeling at Chumbe Island
Even if you decide to stay in Stone Town, you will still have a better chance to go snorkeling in Zanzibar than you would in many other well-known snorkeling locations. The pristine Chumbe Island coral park is magnificent with a variety of colors; it serves as both a habitat and a source of food for the hundreds of species that call Chumbe corals home. The distance between Stone Town and the Chumbe Island office is approximately 15 minutes by car. You can get in touch with us if you need transportation, or we can plan your entire trip—including lunch after snorkeling.
Dining on the Rooftop Restaurant
With your special someone, enjoy the sunset while dining at one of Stone Town’s rooftop establishments. You may remember doing this as one of your favorite things in Stone Town. There are several rooftop eateries in Stone Town, but the most well-known ones are those at the Africa House Hotel, Swahili House, Emerson Spice Hotel, and Tembo House Hotel. Since most restaurants don’t require reservations, you have free reign to explore the stone town before deciding which one to visit.
THE STONE TOWN TOUR: FAQs
Is it worth visiting Stone Town?
In a word, yes! Because Stone Town is the simplest place to learn about the daily lives of Zanzibar residents, it is worthwhile to visit. There are numerous other locations to see and explore that are essential to understanding Zanzibar’s history and cultures.
Why should I visit Stone Town?
The Zanzibar Islands are renowned for their white sand beaches, clear water, and opportunities for snorkeling and dolphin swimming. Tourists travel to Zanzibar for a variety of reasons, including the island’s history, culture, traditions, and spices, among many others. You can explore all of this in Stone Town.
What is the ideal time to visit Stone Town?
If you are already in Zanzibar and are wondering when the best time is to visit Stone Town, we advise you to go either early in the day, between 9:00 and 11:00, or later in the day, between 16:00 and 21:00. Because it’s not sunny, these are the best times.
What to wear in Stone Town, Zanzibar?
Keep in mind that Zanzibar has a sizable Muslim population. As a result, if you want to demonstrate more respect, you can at least wear clothing that covers your knees and shoulders.
What is the ideal time to stay in Stone Town?
If you want to spend two days in Stone Town during your trip to Zanzibar, that is the perfect amount of time. The other days can be spent in nearby beach towns like Nungwi, Paje, Michamvi, Kendwa, and others.
What are The Best Places to Stay in Stone Town?
- Luxury Hotels to Stay: Park Hyatt Zanzibar and Hotel Verde, Azamz Luxury Resort and Spa
- Medium Hotels: Doubletree by Hilton Zanzibar, Tembo House Hotel, Mizingani Seafront Hotel, Zanzibar Serena Hotel
- Cheap Hotels: Swahili House, Zlife Hostel, Kisiwa House, Ten to Ten Hostel
Is there a beach in Stone Town?
Yes, Stone Town does have a beach. Prison Island, Bawe Island, Chapwani Island, and Nakupenda Sandbank can all be reached by boat from Stone Town Beach. Also in Stone Town is the ferry terminal.
What are the Stone Town’s Finest Restaurant?
Another activity in Stone Town is to sample a variety of cuisines from various eateries. You should try Puzzle Coffee Shop, Emerson Spice, 6 Degrees South Grill & Wine Bar, Zanzibar Coffee House, and Luqman Restaurant, which are listed as the top eateries.
