When I first arrived to Zanzibar I actually did a homestay for the first time, and lived with a family in Stone Town for around 3 months. This time was so special and I became very close to this family. Stone Town will always have a place in my heart and feel the most like “home” when I’m in Zanzibar.
After spending so much time here I definitely have recommendations and some pro-tips!
My first tip being to stay at least 2 nights in Stone Town during your trip to Zanzibar.
The heart of Stone Town is located around 15 mins from the only airport on the island.
Keep reading to find out how to make the most of your time in this cultural, energetic UNESCO World Heritage Site town!
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Aerial photo of Stone Town - showing Park Hyatt and Serena Hotels
About Stone Town
Stone Town is the historic centre of Zanzibar City, the main city of the island of Unguja, and one of the most famous tourist attractions in Zanzibar. The whole small city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its unique blend of African, Arab, Indian, and European cultural influences. The town is characterized by its narrow alleys, colorful houses, and historic buildings such as the Old Fort, the House of Wonders, and the Arab Fort. It’s hard to explain the allure and the feeling of being in Stone Town until you experience it. It honestly feels like you’ve stepped back in time!
Stone Town is full of rich history, some of it quite dark dating back to the slave trade, but it is fascinating to learn about and tour the original structures that have been preserved in town for hundreds of years. Even if historical tours aren’t really your vibe, a Stone Town walking tour will be interesting to everyone.
Keep reading to find hotel recommendations and booking links based on your budget per night and travel style!
Stone Town Hotel Guide
With over 600 hotels on the island of Zanzibar, it can be overwhelming trying to find the right one! But after living here as long as I have, I've visited and stayed at many and know which ones to recommend and which ones not to.
I've broken this guide down by budget per night to make it easier for you to find the right hotel for you.
I use Booking.com to book all my hotels. After a few bookings, I gained Genius status so I now get 10%-20% extra off my nightly stays!! You can filter for properties that don't require pre-payment or a credit card hold as well, and they have flexible cancellation options.
Budget - Under $100 USD Per Night
Mid-Range - $100 - $250 USD Per Night
Luxury - Over $500 USD Per Night
If you're looking for more, like I said, theres over 600 hotels on the island - so I'm sure you'll find one specific to your travel style and taste!
Activities & Tours in Stone Town
I always book my tours through Splash Zanzibar!
Souvenir Shopping
Stone Town is literally souvenir heaven, you can find anything and everything you need here. From mini Zanzibar door carvings being done right in front of you; to unique artwork and paintings (you can always ask for custom paintings - you’d be shocked how fast these local artists can create one for you!); handmade trinkets like Christmas ornaments and other decorative objects; small toys made out recycled materials or wood and shells; beauty and skincare products made from local ingredients; handmade dresses, scarfs, hats and jewelry; funny printed t-shirts to remember your time in Zanzibar; and so much more!! If you like to bring souvenirs back for friends and family and collect items from your travels to keep in your home, you should definitely spend half a day shopping. Remember to always haggle! Most items will come down at least half the price they originally tell you!
Souvenirs found while walking around Stone Town.
Stone Town Walking Tour
Booking a walking tour of Stone Town is the best way to see all the history and traditional architecture, and important sites and spots you want to visit. It can be confusing navigating your way through the narrow streets, and there’s no street signs or names posted, so going along with a guide is helpful not only to find your way, but get all of the history and information!
Here are some well known spots you can expect to see on a Stone Town walking tour:
Freddie Mercury House
Freddie Mercury House, also known as the "Mercury House", is a house where the famous musician Freddie Mercury was said to be born and spent his early childhood. It's very hard to find out if this is actually true. He did grow up in Stone Town, but the exact house is unknown 100%. The house is now open to the public as a museum dedicated to the life and legacy of the musician.
The house is a traditional Swahili stone townhouse and has been restored to its original condition. You can take a tour of the house and learn about the life of Freddie Mercury, including his early years in Zanzibar, his family and his cultural heritage. The house also features exhibits of photographs and memorabilia from Mercury's life, including his time as the lead singer of the band Queen. There are some of the most famous outfits he's worn, as well as hand written lyrics from before the Queen days. If you're a fan, I'm sure you'll enjoy!!
Entry is 20,000 TZS per person (equal to approximately $9 USD) and there is no pre-booking required.
Ticket of entry to Freddie Mercury House in Zanzibar.
Old Slave Market Memorial & Church
The slave market in Stone Town was a historical market where slaves were bought and sold during the 19th century. It was located in a central area of Stone Town, near the Old Fort, and was the main hub for the slave trade on the island. The market was active for many years, and it is estimated that tens of thousands of slaves were sold there during its operation.
The slave market was abolished in 1873, but the building still stands and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is open to tourists as a museum. The building is now known as the Anglican Cathedral of Christ and it is an important historical and cultural site in Zanzibar, serving as a reminder of the dark past of the island.
You can take a tour of the building and learn about the history of the slave trade in Zanzibar and the broader East African region. The museum features exhibits on the slave trade, including photographs, artifacts, and information about the lives of the enslaved people.
It is important to note that visiting the slave market or any other place associated with the slave trade can be emotionally difficult, it's a reminder of a dark period in the history of humanity. But it is important to acknowledge and learn about these aspects of history in order to understand and work towards a more just and equal society.
No pre-booking is required. Entry is $5 USD per person.
Note: if you're a woman going in and don't have your shoulders or knees covered, they made give you a scarf to wrap around yourself for your time at the site.
Old Slave Market, Zanzibar.
Old Fort
The old fort is a really cool spot to see.
Built in the late 17th century by the Omanis as a defense against the Portuguese, the fort has witnessed the ebb and flow of power dynamics in the region. With its formidable stone walls and a commanding presence along the waterfront, the Old Fort served various purposes over the centuries, from a military stronghold to a prison. Today, it's a cultural hub, hosting events, concerts, and a small market with artisan stalls.
Every year, the Sauti Za Busara international music festival is held at the Old Fort. Sometimes there's plays and music or dance performances held by local schoolchildren.
Old Fort, Stone Town, Zanzibar.
Safari Blue Tour
Safari Blue is a popular tour that takes you on a full-day boat trip around the Menai Bay Conservation Area. The area is known for its crystal-clear waters, beautiful beaches, and rich marine life, which makes it a popular destination for swimming, snorkelling, and diving. If you're lucky you'll see wild dolphins!
The tour typically starts in the morning and takes you on a boat ride through the conservation area, where you can see a variety of marine life such as coral, fish, and turtles. You'll stop at a small island for some beach and chill time and a fresh lunch of grilled meats and seafood. There is a bar here, and a few souvenir style shops. This tour is especially fun with a group of people if you're travelling with friends, or you'll be put on a boat with others who you'll hopefully connect with! This tour can be more expensive depending on the tour operator you go with. I have paid from $60 USD to $140 USD for myself to join, depending on how many other people were in the boat.
(In my opinion, this tour is better than others like Mnemba Island etc. Make sure you do it while you're staying in Stone Town, or you will have to drive all the way back to town for the day to catch the boat for the tour.)
Aerial photo of one of the sandbanks you have the often of visiting on the Safari Blue tour.
Forodhani Park & Night Market
No trip to Stone Town can be complete without visiting Forodhani park - the centre of all the action. In the daytime, this park is quiet, with people napping in shady spots, and tour operators setting off in their boats to take tourists to Prison Island or Safari Blue; but in the evening, this park truly comes to life. The local kids and teenagers come here after school to jump in the water, doing outrageous flips and acrobatics. They love the attention and to entertain, and trust me is it ever entertaining!! In the late afternoon the stalls start getting set up for the night market which happens every evening, featuring local dishes for very low costs. It’s not only a cool spot for tourists to come and try some local foods for cheap and small portions; but the local people of Stone Town usually grab a bite here with their friends and families in the evenings. And yes, the food is completely safe to eat.
The centre of Forodhani Park.
I highly recommend you try Urojo - also known as Zanzibar mix - which is a kind of stew made with potatoes, deep fried fritters (almost like tiny falafels), coconut chutney, and sometimes boiled egg or slices of beef. Another local culinary creation is the Zanzibar pizza - more like a stuffed crepe than an American style pizza. You can choose from different fillings options to have something savoury or sweet.
There’s shawarma stalls, freshly caught grilled seafood, mishkaki (grilled chicken or beef on skewers), freshly made sugarcane juice, fresh local fruit, ice cream and more!
If you arrive to the park around 6:00pm, you’ll catch incredible colours as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean.
After a bite at the night market you can continue on to your dinner (if you have any room left!) or back to your hotel to relax for the night.
Important To Note
Jumping into the ocean from Forodhani is very dangerous. The water is way more shallow than it seems. It's kind of a miracle more people aren't injured, especially with the flips and acrobatic jumps they do. I would not recommend trying it for yourself.
I said the food was safe to eat, but take any precautions as always, especially if you usually have a sensitive stomach or get stomach bugs while travelling to new countries.
If you feel an upset stomach after eating at the night market, it could be simply due to the amount of oil they use in their cooking, and is likely no cause for concern. Drink a lot of water and wait it out, but of course trust your body and its your decision if you want to try the food or not.
Darajani Market
Darajani Market is the main market of Stone Town, where locals go to buy and sell everything from housewares, kitchen equipment, bedding and other linen, clothing, shoes, school supplies, electronics like cell phones and chargers, fruit, spices, dried nuts and beans, meat, and fish. The fish market is the first smell that will hit you as you walk through, and if you enter the fish market, you might just get hit with some fish guts or juice that are spraying around! It's definitely a trip for your senses.
That being said, you can absolutely enjoy the market without going into the meat or fish section! It's common for tourists to come by to see what they local market is like, and even grab some spices and small beauty/skincare products that are sold here.
I recommend walking to the market, as the road in front is chaotic and parking is a nightmare. It's a very busy spot so hold on to each other, and keep your bag close (or wear a fanny pack or something!).
Nakupenda Sandbank
Nakupenda means "I Love You" in Swahili. This sandbank is a small island located just off of Stone Town, in the middle of the Indian Ocean. You can visit only by boat and depending on the tide, as sometimes it's completely covered by water! You can find starfish, sea urchins, jelly fish, and other fish while snorkelling here.
The sandbank is also a popular spot for picnics, and you can bring their own food and drinks to enjoy on the island. Usually tour operators who bring you to the sandbank will set up their own grill for fresh seafood, fries and serve fresh fruit.
Bring some beers and a speaker for an awesome picnic day!
I also highly recommend bringing your drone for photos and videos if you have one! Just make sure you keep in a waterproof bag for the boat ride over.
Important to Note
The UV rays in Zanzibar are extremely strong - averaging between 9-11 on the UV index during midday. Make sure you bring sun protection with high SPF when doing any activities, but especially in the water.
Water shoes may be recommended for snorkelling or sandbank trips. Sea urchins are very commonly found in Zanzibar, always look before you step on the ocean floor.
Starfish are not toys or photo props. It is extremely harmful for them to be lifted out of the water for any period of time. Even touching them beneath the water can transfer bacteria to them that can be deadly. Bring a GoPro or waterproof phone case to capture these beautiful creatures under the water.
Prison Island
This tour would’ve made it higher on my list, but there have been recent changes, and I haven’t been since these changes to know to recommend this tour anymore or not.
Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island, is located just off of the coast of Stone Town. There’s a super interesting history here dating back to the slave trade - I won’t spoil it here - and a tour of the historical facilities.
But the main attraction for tourists to visit Prison Island has always been the giant Aldabra tortoises, gifted from the Seychelles back in 1919 (started with 4 tortoises, who bred to be almost 200 of them!).
These tortoises can live to be almost 200 years old!!!
Tourists used to be able to pet and feed them on this tour, but now you are no longer able to do this, or even step into their enclosure which has been blocked off.
I think this will be beneficial to the tortoises health and well-being, avoiding being touched by multiple people a day carrying different bacteria.
But along with these new rules, there has also been a price increase. The entry fee used to be $3 USD for foreigners, and is now $15 USD per person.
The Prison Island tour is usually combined with a visit to Nakupenda sandbank, but now knowing about the changes, it's up to you if you'd like to still combine them or do them separately!
With the tortoises of Prison Island in past years.
I always book my tours through Splash Zanzibar!
Restaurant Recommendations for Stone Town
If you're looking to try more local foods...
Lukmaan
Lukmaan is the restaurant that every local person and tour guide will recommend to you, mainly because it's their favourite!
Lukmaan is Swahili food, and it's sort of cafeteria style, with food items behind glass, and you go up and order what you'd like. They don't serve alcohol, but their fresh juices are amazing!!
During lunch time (12pm-2pm) it's insanely busy, with locals and tourists both coming for lunch. It can be hard to find seating, so definitely come at a different time if you want to sit and enjoy your meal. It can get chaotic during the busy times!
The prices are quite affordable, and the food is decent. It's nothing that incredible I feel personally, but it is a local dining experience for sure.
Taste wise, I prefer the Swahili food at the Forodhani night market!
Forodhani Night Market
Like I had mentioned earlier, in the evenings Forodhani park becomes a complete night food market. Try local foods like Urojo and Zanzibar pizza - but there’s also shawarma stalls, freshly caught grilled seafood, mishkaki (grilled chicken or beef on skewers), freshly made sugarcane juice, fresh local fruit, ice cream and more!
Emerson Hotels
There are two Emerson properties in Stone Town - Emerson Spice, and Emerson on Hurumzi. Both offer very cool dining experiences with unique atmospheres.
Interior of Emerson Spice hotel.
At Emerson Spice, they have the Secret Garden restaurant. Covered in lush green plants, set in an old traditional building, it's such a cool vibe for lunch during the daylight, or lit up in the evening for dinner. Lunch is served from 12:00-16:00, and dinner from 17:00-22:00. Sometimes they have live music and other entertainment.
Lunch at Secret Garden Restaurant at Emerson Spice.
Emerson on Hurumzi has a rooftop tea house, with gorgeous views of Stone Town, the port, and the ocean. Lunch is available from 12:00-16:00. They serve a 3 course dinner menu with Persian and Omani influenced cuisine, and only have one seating time each evening at 19:00; although you can head up for a drink and sunset views at 18:00.
Rooftop Tea House at Emerson on Hurumzi.
Both dining options are reservation only.
Rooftop Tea House at Emerson on Hurumzi
Secret Garden Restaurant at Emerson Spice
The following are some less expensive, more chill vibe spots in Stone Town to eat at.
Based on the name it's not hard to guess that this spot is known for it's coffee! Local coffee beans from Tanzanian farms are used here, and you can bring your coffee up to the rooftop for beautiful views of Stone Town and unique vibes. They have a great breakfast menu as well, and some small pastries.
Rooftop at Zanzibar Coffee House.
Traveller's Cafe is a great option to stop at midday during your walk around town for a drink or a bite, or for a chill dinner right on the beach. You can see the sun set from here and local life come out in the evening. They have a pizza oven and their pizzas are really good!
Africa House is another spot with a wide range of items and cuisines on the menu, and amazing views. Get everything from Swahili food, pastas, and Asian cuisines.
The Neela is a newly opened hotel in Stone Town and they're definitely bringing something different. High quality food and ingredients, unique menu offerings, great presentation and portion sizes, and impeccable service standards. Breadfruit is on the street level and open to the public for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food is so good I can't even explain!! You must try it for one meal. They also have a rooftop called Views, with sunset views, and skilled and trained baristas and bartenders for a lovely sunset cocktail experience. They have very strong wifi as well, so if you need to work somewhere for the day, this is a great option.
Pulled Goat Benedict from Breadfruit's breakfast menu.
Lunch and dinner menu with prices at Breadfruit.
6 Degrees is a popular restaurant, with seating both downstairs at the ground level, and upstairs on the rooftop. Both areas have sunset and sea views. They often have entertainment in the evenings, and their menu is great for sharing some appetizers and having some drinks.
One of my go-to's whenever I'm in Stone Town! Their menu is more pricey, but worth every penny. They have a wide range of items from sushi and seafood, to grilled chicken and steaks. They also have daily breakfast/brunch offerings. The restaurant itself is on sort of a pier in Forodhani park. They play live sports games when on. They also have one of the strongest wifi connections in Stone Town, so I often sit and work for a while before or after a meal if I'm in town alone.
I highly recommend the sushi!
My all time favourite restaurant in Stone Town. First of all, I love spending a few hours during the day on their modern rooftop. They have craft cocktails and one of the best views in town. It's a small rooftop, but has a few beds for tanning, a cool bar, bathroom and small pool. You can order a drink and have some truffle fries, but all other dining takes place just underneath the pool at their restaurant called The Fifth.
Their menu is just insanely delicious, nothing has ever disappointed from Upendo House.
They have brunch, lunch, and dinner options.
My favourites are the beef tataki or beef tenderloin. Cooked so perfectly every time!!
They also have a hotel and restaurant in Michamvi, called Upendo Beach!
International Cuisines
Masa is a Japanese restaurant right downtown Stone Town, upstairs across from the Memories gift shop. They have amazing sushi and other Japanese style items.
Da Luigi is an Italian restaurant located closer to the Darajani market. They have amazing Italian food, and it's a cute vibe in the evenings.
Other Cute Spots
Mama Mia
Mama Mia is a larger chain and has restaurants/ice cream shops all over the island. They have one right in Stone Town, and their ice cream/gelato is sooo good! Especially after walking around Stone Town on a hot day.
Pink Sugar London is a super cute, aesthetically decorated, Barbie vibes cafe! It would be so cute to have a birthday celebration or something here, but is nice for a visit any day and for some photos. Their decorating and serving concepts are so unique, especially for Zanzibar!! They have small food items to nibble on, coffees, soft drinks, mocktails, and desserts!
Why Not is one of my favourite spots also, although it's not located right in Stone Town, but closer to the airport. It's kind of on the side of the road, but their ingredients and menu is so high quality and delicious. It's the perfect place to stop and kill a few hours and have a really good meal before heading to the airport.
More In Stone Town
These aren't located directly in town (you can't walk to them from Forodhani lets say, you'd need to drive or take a taxi) but if you need anything specific during your time here, you may want to check out the following places.
Open 24/7, this is a new supermarket more catered to foreigners. You can find pretty much anything you need here, and most things are imported from Europe, so you'll recognize a lot of brands. If you need dry food ingredients, packaged snacks, pre-made meals, deli meats and cheese, frozen meat, alcohol, soft drinks, energy drinks, juice, fruit, vegetables, home decor, gardening supplies, feminine protection, shampoo or deodorant, cigarettes - you can find it all here!
Kind of a random mall, since most stores inside are emtpy and not being used yet, but you can find some things you may need. They have a store similar to Mini-So if you need small home items, and a great electronics store upstairs for any laptop, smartphone, camera, or drone needs and accessories.
Fumba Town Nyamanzi is a project aimed at creating a whole independent community here in Zanzibar. It's mainly expats living in Fumba Town, and many people rent out their houses and apartments either nightly or monthly. If you see an apartment for rent in Fumba Town, know that it's not directly in Stone Town, and you'd need to drive to be able to get anywhere.
Once a month they have a community market called Kwetu Kwenu Market, where you can find fruits, veggies, plants, and see items from small business and local artisans. They usually have live music, activities for kids, and food stalls during the market. You can see when the next one is on their Instagram!
Important to Note About Stone Town
How to Dress
It's important to respect local culture with how you dress.
For Women
You are not expected to cover your hair or anything like that.
The idea for women is to dress modestly when in Stone Town.
This means longer dresses, flowy linen pants or skirts, and tops that are not revealing or cropped. There is no specific rule about knees and shoulders being exposed, but if you’d like to be respectful, it’s best to cover them.
Personally, I wear a lot of maxi dresses or long breathable pants. These are the perfect kind of outfits for the hot and humid climate here. I don’t worry too much about my shoulders being out if the top is spaghetti straps, but I am mindful not to show cleavage or wear anything cropped so my stomach is showing.
For Men
Keep your shirt on if you’re not by the pool or beach. It’s really that simple. Don’t ever walk shirtless through Stone Town.
Once you leave Stone Town and reach the beach or within your hotel/resort - wear whatever you are comfortable in! You’ll see people on the beach wearing micro-bikinis, and you can wear shorts and a crop top around the resort you’re staying at no problem.
It’s best for everyone to avoid wearing clothes with offensive, crude, or political slogans and images on them.
I have heard of tourists being fined for not following dress customs, although I don't know anyone who's been fined personally.
Ramadan
Since Zanzibar is 99% Muslim, visiting Stone Town during the period of Ramadan means that most dining options won't be open until after sunset, and no alcohol will be served. Most shops will be shut during this time period as well, and town itself is extremely quiet. Beach resorts in other areas will have all facilities running as usual during Ramadan, but Stone Town is especially affected by the religious customs and timings.
Call To Prayer
While staying in Stone Town, you might hear or even be woken up by the call the prayer playing through the streets. I'm not sure the exact timings, but it plays multiple times a day, with one time being very early - around 4:00am-5:00am. As the hotels and building are older, you'll likely hear it through your doors and windows. I love hearing it, as it makes you feel even more immersed in the Stone Town culture.
Money
It's easiest to use TSH - Tanzanian shillings, around Stone Town. No small shops or souvenir shops will take other currencies or credit card, and restaurants that do will usually charge a 3%-5% fee.
There are ATM's in town, as well as currency exchange spots. Make sure you don't bring USD bills older than 2009, or they will not exchange them.
Rain
Stone Town can be very messy and hard to navigate in heavy rains. Make sure to purchase an umbrella and be careful walking through the alleyways during rain.
Accessibility
The alleyways are narrow, and buildings don't elevators, so keep this in mind if you require accessible options.
Check out my other guides on different areas of Zanzibar!
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