Stone Town Historical Tour
A guided walk through the UNESCO old town
- Location Stone Town, Unguja, Zanzibar
- Duration Half day, approximately 4 to 5 hours
- Tour type Private or shared
- Availability Daily, morning and afternoon departures
Price on request Send the form and we reply with a firm quote, usually within a few hours.
Overview
Stone Town is the cultural and historical heart of Zanzibar, and the oldest continuously inhabited quarter on the island. Its lanes were built from coral stone through the 19th and 20th centuries, and in 2000 the whole quarter was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Arab, African, Indian and European influences sit side by side here. Streets run too narrow for cars, so the town is best seen on foot, and mosques, churches and Hindu temples stand within a few minutes of one another. Your guide leads you through the old slave market and its memorial, past the House of Wonders and the Old Fort, along the seafront to the former British and German consulates, and into Darajani market, where the produce, fish and spice stalls show how the town feeds itself.
Along the way you hear the stories of the people who shaped the island: Princess Salme, who left the Sultan’s palace and wrote her memoirs in Germany, and Farrokh Bulsara, born in Stone Town and later known to the world as Freddie Mercury. The walk ends near Forodhani Gardens, which comes alive after sunset as one of the best street food markets in East Africa.
The tour runs as a private walk with your own guide, or as a small shared group. Either way the pace stays relaxed, with time to stop, ask questions and photograph the carved doors Stone Town is known for.
Highlights
- Walk a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a licensed local guide
- Stand at the former slave market and its memorial
- See the House of Wonders, the Old Fort and the Sultan's Palace from the seafront
- Wander Darajani market among spice, fruit and fish traders
- Photograph the carved Zanzibari and Indian doors the old town is known for
- Finish near Forodhani Gardens, the island's best-known street food market
Itinerary
- 08:30
Hotel pickup
Your driver collects you from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle and brings you to Stone Town.
- 09:30
Old slave market and Anglican cathedral
The walk opens at the site of the former slave market, where your guide sets out the history of the trade and its abolition, and shows you the memorial and the holding chambers.
- 10:30
Old Fort, House of Wonders and the seafront
Continue past the Old Fort and the House of Wonders, along the seafront to the former British and German consulates and the Sultan's Palace.
- 11:30
Darajani market and the old lanes
Head inland through the labyrinth of lanes to Darajani market. Your guide points out carved doors, bathhouses and craft workshops, and helps you bargain if you want to shop.
- 13:00
Return transfer
The walk ends near Forodhani Gardens and your driver returns you to your hotel.
What is included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional Guide
- All entrance fees and taxes
- Bottled water
Not included
- Lunch and drinks, where not listed as included
- Personal shopping and souvenirs
- Gratuities for your guide and driver
- Travel insurance
- Anything not named under what is included
Pickup and meeting point
Pickup time: Around 08:30 for morning departures and 13:30 for afternoon departures. Exact time depends on your hotel.
Meeting point: Hotel reception, or the Forodhani Gardens entrance for guests already in Stone Town.
We collect from these areas:
- Stone Town
- Zanzibar City
- Maungani
- Nungwi
- Kendwa
- Matemwe
- Kiwengwa
- Pwani Mchangani
- Uroa
- Pongwe
- Chwaka
- Michamvi
- Paje
- Jambiani
- Makunduchi
- Kizimkazi
- Fumba
- Mangapwani
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes or sandals
- Sun cream, hat and sunglasses
- Refillable water bottle
- Small notes in Tanzanian shillings or US dollars
- Camera or phone
- Light rain jacket in the wet season
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees
Important information
- Stone Town is a living residential quarter. Clothing covering the shoulders and knees is appreciated, particularly around mosques and the market.
- The lanes are narrow, uneven and often busy. Flat, closed shoes are more comfortable than sandals.
- Some sites close or shorten hours around Friday midday prayers, and your guide will adjust the route.
- Photographing people is welcome only after asking. Your guide will help.
Gallery
Frequently asked questions
How much walking is involved?
Around two to three hours on foot, at a slow pace with regular stops. The route is flat but the surfaces are uneven coral stone. Tell us in advance if anyone in your group has limited mobility and we will shorten the route.
Is the slave market suitable for children?
The memorial and holding chambers deal with difficult history. Guides adjust their commentary for families with young children, and you are welcome to skip that part of the walk.
Are we able to combine this with another excursion?
Yes. Stone Town pairs well with Prison Island, the spice farm, Jozani Forest or a dhow sunset cruise as a full-day combination tour. Ask us and we will build the day around your schedule.
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