Visiting the stone town

Visiting the stone town 

Everything you need to know about the Stone Town – Things to do, places to eat and where to stay – Zanzibar Travel

Visiting the stone town : The Stone Town is the historical center of Zanzibar City, the capital of Zanzibar Archipelago. This town was a primary trading post for spice, silk and slave trade routes for many years. Stone town is one of the few remaining ancient towns in Africa and it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its beauty and historical value.

The Stone Town has a blend of African, Indian, Arabian and European cultures.

This article highlights all you need to know about visiting The Stone Town

Top Thing to Do in Stone Town

Whether you are visiting the stone town for historical, culture interest or the beach, the town will provide you with some memorable things to do as it hosts so many amazing places to see which make your holiday worth and interesting.

Nakupenda Island

Nakupenda is a tiny but very beautiful island situated about a 15-20 minutes boat ride off of the coast of Stone Town, the island has one of the most stunning beaches in Zanzibar and Africa as a whole.

Nakupenda Island is usually combined on a day trip with Prison Island and during the tour, you can swim in the clear blue waters and snorkeling adventures.

In the afternoon, a large marketplace and pop up BBQs are set up on the tiny white – sanded beach which will become very crowded by people from their visit to the Prison Island.  Nakupenda Island is so small that it actually disappears in the evening when the tide come up, so as a traveler make sure to visit before 5 pm if you want to actually see and enjoy the island itself.

Prison Island

The Prison Island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in The Stone Town, Prison Island also known as Changuu Island is a beautiful island with a tragic history. The island was used as a prison for the rebellious slaves in the 1,800s thus the name “Prison Island”.

Later the island was also used as a quarantine island for locals with yellow fever, now the island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Stone Town, the island has abundance of giant tortoises.

To get to the Prison Island, it is a 20 minutes boat ride from Stone Town Port.

Explore The Town’s Narrow Streets

Zanzibar island has a long and very interesting history, the Stone Town the current capital of Zanzibar was once the capital of Omani. Before becoming the United Republic of Tanzania (With Zanzibar as a semi- autonomous state in 60s), Zanzibar and the Stone Town were colonized by the Portuguese and then the Omanis and then the British and then Omani again.

Wandering through the narrow streets of Stone Town will give you a feel for the amazing history and interesting culture, take amazing pictures and interact with the locals.

Witness the Historic Slave Market

Zanzibar Island was home to one of the last open slave markets in the world which operated until the late 1870s, predominantly the island was used by Arabs traders from Oman. The slaves were held in tiny cramped quarters, shackled to prevent them from escaping.

Visiting the historic slave market is important as it will help you understand the tragic side of Zanzibar’s history.

Visit the Old Fort

 Zanzibar has along and very interesting history, the Stone Town was once the capital of Oman and it was once colonized by the Portuguese who built the old Fort in 1699. The Old Fort is the oldest building in the Stone Town, though there is not much to do at the site itself, it is a great experience to look around the fort.

The Old Fort was used as a garrison, a prison and even as a train terminal throughout history.

House of Wonders

The house of wonders is one of the most famous attractions in Stone Town in Zanzibar, the house has the tallest and largest building in Stone Town and it faced the famous Forodhani Gardens.

Sadly in 2020, the house partially collapsed due to neglect and cannot be visited at this time.

Freddie Mercury’s Childhood Home

The home of the famous singer is located on Kenyatta Road in the heart of Stone Town, the house is a monument and although it is not officially open to the public, you can pass by and see an array of photos and memorabilia from the musician at his childhood home.

Forodhani Gardens

Forodhani Gardens are located in the center of the historical district of Stone Town, these gardens are more of a park than a garden and it is best to visit them once the sun has set. At the gardens you will find a bustling fresh seafood market with countless unique Zanzibar street foods to taste.

Stone Town Port/ Ferry to the main land

A ferry ride to the main land of Tanzania is a thrilling experience of 1.5 – 2 hours, the beautiful city of Dar es Salaam – The Tanzania’s largest city has plenty to offer and has a refreshing change of environment, and this is if you are spending a lot of time on the island.

There is so much to discover in Dar es Salaam

Souvenir shopping

Stone Town is full of a lovely little shops that sell unique items from Zanzibar ranging from handmade straw bags to Africa motif blankets to lovely pieces of jewelry, while shopping in the town’s street stores scattered throughout the city you will find some amazing items to buy.

Spice Market

The Spice Market which is one of the nicknames of Zanzibar is the best site to visit to indulge in some of the famous spices grown on the island, the best market in the country is located in Stone Town called Darajani Bazaar. In this market yo can buy traditional clothing, fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, baskets, toys and spices such as clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and chili and vanilla (though not a spice technically).

Sunset views

The Stone Town offers astonishing sunset views and during your visit you can enjoy silhouettes of sailboats floating by against a backdrop of pastels and blue waters. Facilities like the Beach House, Serena Hotel and the rooftop of 6 Degrees South in the Stone Town offer some of the clearest views in the city.

Where to Eat in Stone Town

If you are a food lover, then Zanzibar will be a paradise to you as prawns, crab, octopus, lobster and countless types of fish never miss on a menu everywhere. If you are a sea food eater, you do not need to search, be sure that you will enjoy fresh and local products. Some of the best restaurants in Zanzibar for seafood are

Beach House (Resturant and Bar)

The Beach House is a lovely places to relax and see the sunset, it serves delicious cocktails and a mix of local and European food which makes a perfect combination of a culinary experience.

The beach house also has decent Wi-Fi

Stone Town Café

The Stone Café is located right in the middle of Stone Town and is a great place to grab a coffee while exploring what the city has to offer while in company of a mixture of locals and tourists who frequent the area.

6 Degrees South

This site is located right near most of the main hotels and the beach and it offers the best Wi-Fi in Stone town, there food is mouthwatering and has a nice vibe.

Where to Stay in Stone Town

Stone Town is the main city of Zanzibar and because of this, it has no shortage of accommodation facility, these include beachfront hotels with stunning views and they include

Serena Hotel

Tembo House Hotel

Tips for visiting Stone Town

It is small – the Stone Town is a very small city and just about everything is in a walking distance, you do not need a vehicle for any activities with the Stone Town, some people navigate around the town on scooters.

Hot – Stone Town is very, very hot. As a traveler be careful with the sun, carry lots of water and make sure to be extra cautious against sunburn. Zanzibar is situated just 6 degrees south of the equator so the sun is strong.

Street Vendors – Stone Town is bustling with countless street vendors trying to sell you something on every corner, whether it is a tour of the Prison Island or a visit to the spice boat, they can be very persistent.

Beaches – Stone Town is a lovely city with beautiful beaches you can go for a swim.

Are planning to visit the Stone Town, let us help you plan your safari.