Stone Town
Stone Town
Stone Town • Image 2
Stone Town • Image 3
Stone Town • Image 4Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ)
Tanzania
Hot and humid, with little shade in the open squares at midday
Year-round travel
Not a wildlife stop. Kites and crows over the market
2 key species listed
2 to 3 Nights
Tailored itinerary
Visit all year
High & Green seasons
About Stone Town & Destination Guide
Stone Town is the old part of Zanzibar City and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the best place on the island for history and culture: narrow lanes, carved wooden doors, Swahili houses, old markets and the waterfront. Freddie Mercury was born here in 1946.
Go in the afternoon. From about 3pm the heat drops and the streets get busy, and it is a good way to end a tour day. But plan your must-see stops before 5pm, because they close: the old slave market site, the main market (Darajani), Jaws Corner, Memories of Zanzibar (the souvenir emporium), the Catholic museum and the Anglican Church of Tanzania, the two Christian sites on the route.
The trade-off is that the lanes are a maze, shops will invite you in, and the middle of the day is hot. A local guide saves time and explains what you are looking at. Cars cannot enter many streets, so we park at the edge and walk.
Stone Town is 15 to 20 minutes from the airport and is the usual first or last stop on a trip. It joins well with Prison Island and the sandbank on one day: do Prison Island first, the sandbank second and Stone Town third.
Getting Here, Transport & Climate
Stone Town is close to Zanzibar airport (ZNZ) and the ferry port. Book a transfer to your hotel or to the lane entrance nearest it. See the airport to Stone Town transfer page.
Overland travel in customized Toyota Land Cruisers featuring pop-up roofs for 360° wildlife viewing, USB charging sockets, high-clearance suspension, and a cooler with chilled bottled water.
exploreStone Town Interactive Map & Terrain
Explore the geographic coordinates, boundaries, local airstrips, and surrounding wilderness circuits of Stone Town.
Weather, Climate & Seasonal Advice
Visit all year. The best time of day is 3pm until evening. Do the main sights before 5pm.
Hot and humid, with little shade in the open squares at midday. The afternoon and evening are the comfortable hours for walking. Rain in March to May can flood low streets for a short time.
Highlights & Wildlife in Stone Town
petsKey Wildlife & Marine Species
Signature Highlights
Old slave market site: a sober place that explains the island's history
Darajani Market: spices, fish, fruit and daily goods
Jaws Corner: the local meeting spot with coffee and talk
Carved doors: Zanzibar and Indian styles, some more than 150 years old
Memories of Zanzibar: a large souvenir shop
Catholic museum and the Anglican Church of Tanzania: the two Christian sites on the route
Old Fort and Forodhani Gardens on the waterfront
Freddie Mercury's birthplace: a well known stop for visitors
Activities & Things to Do in Stone Town
Stone Town Walking Tour
A guide meets you at your hotel or at the lane entrance nearest it, and walks you through the old town of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You pass carved doors, the markets, the waterfront and the Old Fort, and you learn about Swahili history and the slave trade. Plan the main stops before 5pm: the old slave market site, the main market (Darajani), Jaws Corner, Memories of Zanzibar, the Catholic museum and the Anglican Church of Tanzania. The streets are a maze, so a guide saves time.
Stone Town and Spice Farm Combo
You start with a guided visit to a spice farm in the morning, with tastings of spices and fruit. After lunch you drive to Stone Town for a guided walk through the old streets, markets and the waterfront. The two halves give a full picture of Zanzibar's history and trade. The day is long and hot, so keep water with you and wear light clothes.
Featured Safaris & Tours in Stone Town
Explore our custom travel itineraries for Stone Town
Request Custom ItineraryWhere to Stay in Stone Town
Kiponda B&B
budget Tier
Emerson Spice
mid range Tier
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Stone Town?
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Visit all year. The best time of day is 3pm until evening. Do the main sights before 5pm.
How do I get to Stone Town?
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Stone Town is close to Zanzibar airport (ZNZ) and the ferry port. Book a transfer to your hotel or to the lane entrance nearest it. See the airport to Stone Town transfer page.
What is the weather like in Stone Town?
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Hot and humid, with little shade in the open squares at midday. The afternoon and evening are the comfortable hours for walking. Rain in March to May can flood low streets for a short time.
What can I see and do in Stone Town?
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• Old slave market site: a sober place that explains the island's history • Darajani Market: spices, fish, fruit and daily goods • Jaws Corner: the local meeting spot with coffee and talk • Carved doors: Zanzibar and Indian styles, some more than 150 years old • Memories of Zanzibar: a large souvenir shop • Catholic museum and the Anglican Church of Tanzania: the two Christian sites on the route • Old Fort and Forodhani Gardens on the waterfront • Freddie Mercury's birthplace: a well known stop for visitors
What should I pack for Stone Town?
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Light, comfortable clothing that covers shoulders and knees, walking shoes, a sun hat, sunscreen and a small bag. Evenings are mild, so a thin layer is enough.