Located on a promontory jutting out from the western side of Unguja Island into the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar’s Stone Town is an outstanding example of a Swahili trading town. Stone Town was developed on the coast of East Africa, further expanded under Arab, Indian and European influences, but retained its indigenous elements to form an urban culture unique to this region.

Stone TownCultural Sites

A prompt departure at 7:00 AM.

Approximately 4:00 to 6:30 PM.

Comfortable clothing and hiking boots/rubber

As you begin your exploration afoot, you can feel the history running deep here, through every side street, every smile from local vendors, and every whitewashed stone giving the place its namesake.

Located on a promontory jutting out from the western side of Unguja Island into the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar’s Stone Town is an outstanding example of a Swahili trading town. Stone Town was developed on the coast of East Africa, further expanded under Arab, Indian and European influences, but retained its indigenous elements to form an urban culture unique to this region.

Zanzibar’s Stone Town contains fine buildings that reflect its particular culture, which has brought together and homogenized disparate elements of the cultures of Africa, the Arab region, India and Europe for over a millennium.

The buildings of Stone Town, which were built principally in coralline ragstone and mangrove timber, then set in a thick lime mortar and then plastered and lime-washed, reflect a complex fusion of Swahili, Indian and European influences in building traditions and town planning.

Major buildings date from the 18th and 19th centuries and include monuments such as the Old Fort, which was a Portuguese church; The house of wonder, a large ceremonial palace built by sultan Bargahash; the old dispensary; St Joseph’s Roman catholic cathedral; and the Christchurch Anglican cathedral commemorating the work of David Livingstone in abolishing the slave trade built on the site of the last slave market.

Together with the narrow, winding street pattern, large mansion facing the seafront and open space these buildings form an exceptional urban settlement reflecting the longstanding trading activity between the African and Asian seaboards. This town is also a site where slave-trading was finally terminated.

Emerson Spice House

An utterly enchanting rooftop restaurant & hotel, once home to the last Swahili ruler of Zanzibar. On restoration, thousands of abalone and oyster shells were found in its inner courtyard, hinting that once a mother of pearl jewellery shop lived here.

Capital Art Studio

The shop is a photographic treasure trove and its walls are hung with the political and monarchal history of East Africa – a myriad of lovingly framed black and white prints with Prince Charles’ 2011 tour proudly featured at the entrance.

Forodhani food market

As the sun sets in Stone Town, locals and tourists alike flock down to Forodhani Gardens on the waterfront, where a nightly food market serves up hot griddles laden with seafood.

Palace Museum

An imposing white-washed building, once the residence of the Zanzibari royalty, is now a museum dedicated to archiving the history of Zanzibar’s Sultans. Climb the central staircase and peel off into rooms archiving the sultanate era (1828-1964) with an eclectic mix of leftover furniture, paintings, and other such objects.

St Joseph’s Cathedral

Peaceful, cool, and adorned in colourful biblical murals – the roman Catholic Cathedral of St Josephs is well worth the detour from bustling Kenyatta Rd. It was built by French missionaries and is inlaid with stained glass windows imported from the continent. Try to time your visit with when the local choir are practising, and make sure to hop across the road and take a peak at the intricately carved wooden chests at the workshop opposite.

Schedule: 09:00 - 06:00

Begins: Stone Town

Ends: Stone Town

Activities: Historical Sites