The ultimate travel guide for Stone town is information about everything there is to know about the historical town located on Zanzibar island. The Stone Town is the capital city of Zanzibar Archipelago and a city found on Unguja Island also known as Zanzibar, the town listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site as it is a melting pot for a blend of cultures including Arab, Persian, African, Indian and British cultures. 

The Stone Town is full of rich history, architectural wonders and culture, the town as a meeting point for traders between East and West in the Indian Trade Era including Spice Trade, also it was a hub for slave trading to the Middle East.   

While on a Zanzibar Holiday, visiting and exploring this historical town for about 2 or 3 days to enjoy various sights and memorable experiences. 

History of The Stone Town 

Stone Town has fascinating history, the first Arab traders that arrived on the island in the 9th century referred to the island as “The land of Zenj or the coast of black people”, the island’s strategic location in the center of East Africa led it to be an ultimate fusion of Arab, European, Indian and African cultures which you will see on your tour. 

Zanzibar Island became famous as a slave auction port of African that became very profitable to the sultans and Arabs as well, through ages the administration of the island changed hands but for the most of the 18th and 19th center where slave trading was still flourishing the island was under the control of the Omani Sultanate. 

Eventually the British took control of the island and abolished slave trade that is at the end of the 19th Century when the trade of spices became the dominant economic activity. 

The Stone Town gets its name from the Ornate houses built with local stone by Arab Traders and slavers during the 19th Century, between 1830 – 1863 it is estimated that around 600,000 slaves were sold. 

Is Stone Town Safe to Walk Around?

As travelers plan to visit the historical Stone Town, the first thing is whether Stone Town is safe for tourists to visit. Well, the answer is Yes, it is safe.

Stone Town is the Capital of Zanzibar is always visited by large numbers of travelers from all over the world, there is very little if any violent crime against tourist in Stone Town and Zanzibar at large and just like any other destination in the world, you need to be alert when it comes to your possessions.  

During the day and night, you can walk by yourself without any issue, there are always plenty of people who will come to your trying to see souvenirs to you. Do not be scared as it is part of the process and they are very respectful.

Do girls have to cover up?

Stone Town is the most traditional part of Zanzibar Island with high rest to Islamic values and traditions, women and men are advised to wear long clothing in respect to local traditions.

However due to the high heat, you are allowed to wear minimal short clothing as long as respect the local customs. 

Walking through Stone Town 

Walk through the Stone Town’s maze-like streets is a delightful experience, the town’s architecture is a treat to feast your eyes to. Also, there are a variety of building styles providing an insight in the long and varied history of the island.

You will encounter Arab mansions with high, blank white walls sitting next to the lacy wooden balconies and colorful stained-glass windows of grand Indian residences. If you are kin enough you will find some remnants of the heyday of the Swahili civilization which once ruled supreme in this African region for as long as the 10th century. 

Wondering through a maze of narrow streets is like losing yourself in centuries of history. 

Visiting the night market of Faradhani 

The Forodhani Market is one of the most popular sites to visit in the Stone Town, this night market is located across the street from the old Fort on the pier. The area in the park transforms into  a night market serving out BBQ Seafoods, Shawarmas, juices, fruits and Zanzibar Pizza.

This market attracts a mix of locals and tourists and in the high season expect prices to be a bit higher, there are numerous stalls serving the same things, there are seafood stalls serving fresh kebabs of seafood like prawns, calamari, fish etc. there are also stalls serving chicken, beef, lamb and other varieties. 

Is it worth a visit?

Yes it is worth visiting and eating at the night market of Forodhani as it offers a cool experience and food served is decent, if you are fun of sea food you will sure love every minute spent at the market. You will also love the fresh sugarcane juice and shawarmas from different strolls.

Visiting Lukmann’s Resturant 

If you not fun of loud and hectic markets such as the Faradhani Market then pay a visit to Lukmann’s restaurant situated down the street, this is a large open air restaurant serving all local dishes that you will also find at the Faradhani Market. 

At this restaurant, prices are fixed so you do not need to bargain or worry about being taken advantage of. 

The restaurant serves shawarma, seafood, mishkaki, curries, fruits, juices among others. The restaurant attracts a good number of locals and tourist with reasonable prices. 

Slave Market Museum 

The Slave Market Museum is another must see attraction in the Stone Town, the old slave market has some dark historic to it as it used to be one of the largest markets for trading slaves back in the 18th century. 

Africans from all around the continent would be brought to this center to be auctioned off before being shipped off to countries like America, Britain among others. When you visit the museum, you could feel the monstrosities that were performed on the island during the slave, also there is a lot of reading material pertaining the slave trade and colonialism. 

Once the slaves reached the Stone Town, there were put into stone cellars about 30 square meters (300 square feet) where they would be stuffed about 50 or 60 of them in a cellar with no windows.

Many would die before they were even put on sale, about 50,000 slaves were sold a year from here and over 50,000 died on their long trek to Zanzibar. Before slave trade was abolished in 1876, a hundred million Africans, were either sold or died as slaves. 

On a visit to the Slave Market Museum you will have a 4-5 hours interaction where you will learn and get a deeper insight about the slave trade. 

Have a drink at the Six (6) degrees bar

The Stone Town faces west you expect spectacular sunset, the Six degrees bar is located on the water near the Park Hyatt and the restaurant has a rooftop terrace boasting beautiful views of the sunset. 

The Six degree bar is cozy and has a great bar setting as well as lounge chairs, serving cocktails during the happy hour and the food is very descent. 

Where to stay in the Stone Town 

There are several hotels around the Stone Town and these include 

• Park Hyatt Zanzibar 
• Zanzibar Palace Hotel
• Kisiwa House 
• Golden Tulio Stone Town Boutique 
• Tembo House Hotel 
• Smiles Stone Town Hotel 
• Horizon Palace Stone Town