Top Things To Do In Stone Town, Zanzibar

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Zanzibar has a reputation as an almost idyllic tropical paradise. Remote and beautiful where white sand beaches meet azure blue sea. Over-water bungalows and private beaches make you wonder how attainable a vacation might be. But Zanzibar is not all about fancy resorts. There are lots of things to do in Stonetown, the historical area of Zanzibar City, that will keep you busy for a few days.

I found the resorts to be quite isolated, whereas Stone Town had a more traditional vibe. When you’re in a resort, you have no real reason to leave, but it’s a place where you will be able to fully relax. I’m not a sit-on-the-beach-for-days kind of person so I was more excited for the wider range of activities Stone Town and Zanzibar City had to offer.

Where is Stone Town?

Stone Town is the old part of Zanzibar City, located on the western edge of the city. It’s on the coastal part of Stone Town where you’ll find Zanzibar City’s beaches, as well as some of the most historical sites on the island.

Zanzibar City is on the western side of the island of Zanzibar. While you can take a ferry from Dar Es Salaam on the mainland, which takes about two hours, most people choose to fly.

If you’re spending more time in Tanzania you’ll likely be doing a safari or climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. While there are national parks nearer the coast, most of the popular options are much further inland, where you’ll also find Africa’s tallest mountain. So flying to Zanzibar is the easiest way to get there.

Zanzibar airport is a convenient 20-minute ride from Stone Town. Book a private transfer in advance or through your hotel. That way you can guarantee your price in advance.

Where should you stay in Stone Town?

If you’ve gone in favor of Stone Town over the resorts, or are look for some post-relaxation action, you will want to be as central as you can be. Stone Town isn’t large, and is very walkable – even if you can get lost in the small streets. A place on the water is ideal so you can enjoy a killer sunset.

What I liked about Stone Town is a lot of the big players in hotels have focused on the resorts, leaving the historic quarter to more independent properties.

Yes, the Park Hyatt Zanzibar has a beachfront location, however we went in favor of the much more traditional Tembo House.

The building was once home to the first American Consulate in Zanzibar. It has also retained a lot of its historic charm, with the refurbished décor very traditional in style. Tembo in Swahili means elephant, and out front you can see a wooden elephant which has (almost) stood the test of time since the 1800s.

Tembo House rooms have names, not numbers, and each one is unique. Ours, Bahari, was an beachfront bungalow with possibly the most extravagant shower I’ve ever seen. There’s a restaurant on site, open 24-hours, a luxurious pool and plenty of places to relax. Plus, breakfast is included – and it’s quite the spread!

How many days do you need in Stone Town?

I’d recommend at least two or three days. For us, after hiking Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar was where we wanted to relax. For that reason we didn’t rush everywhere, and enjoyed the hotel almost as much as exploring the neighborhood.

Between the museums, the markets and all the fantastic places to eat, there are plenty of things to do in Zanzibar that will fill a few days.

If you do find yourself running out of things to see here, most hotels can rustle up a tour to nearby islands, or a private vehicle to get you around the island, even at short notice.

I spent four nights in Stone Town, Zanzibar, and it was enough. I felt like I saw everything I needed to see without my days being packed.

Depending on the time you have to spend in Zanzibar, I would suggest a few days in Stone Town alongside a few days at one of the more swanky resorts on a quieter part of the island.

Top things to do in Stone Town

Stone Town is the lively epicenter of Zanzibar. It’s historic, and old, and a little beaten up in places. But it has a lot of character and there are some many fun things to check out on your visit.

Beach day

Opting out of a fancy resort doesn’t mean you have to forego beach life. Stone Town has a fabulous stretch of public beach where tourists sunbathe and locals swim in the water.

Take a stroll down the beach or just enjoy the view. In the evening the beaches come alive with lots of locals gathering to hang out as the sun sets.

TOP TRAVEL TIP: Staying at one of the beachfront hotels? Often a part of the beach will be roped off with sun loungers for you to enjoy away from the public areas which can become busier on nice days.

Cocktails with a sunset view

I’m not a beach person, but I do love the ocean. And the best place to enjoy it is from an oceanfront bar with a sunset view. Lucky for you, Stone Town has lots of great options.

One thing to remember is that Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim, therefore lots of places do not sell alcohol. Not to say you need alcohol to enjoy the sunset, but if you’re after a fancy cocktail, you might want to check your place sells booze first.

The Park Hyatt has a couple of beachfront dining rooms and bars which sell deliciously decadent cocktails. The price is a little steeper due to the front row seat to the sunset, but it’s worth a splurge at least one night on your vacation.

TOP TRAVEL TIP: The oceanfront deck restaurants at the Park Hyatt also have some really great dining options. While Dining Room and Beach House both have excellent menus, I prefer the more laid back vibe of the latter.

Freddie Mercury House

Did you know that the lead singer of one of the world’s most famous bands is from Zanzibar? Freddie Mercury, of the British band Queen, was born as Farrokh Bulsara right here in Stone Town. His family home is now a museum honoring the legendary singer.

The house isn’t big, but it is cool to be in a place with such close ties to rock royalty. Displaying photos of a young Freddie, handwritten song lyrics, stage outfits and one of his pianos it’s quite the collection.

The $10 USD to get in feels a little steep when you weigh it against the size of the museum. However, if you’re a Queen or music fan like me, you might appreciate it enough to warrant the cost.

Old Fort

Dating back to the early 1700s, the Old Fort is one of the most historic things to do in Stone Town. It’s been a barracks and a prison as well as obviously seeing a lot of history through the years in Zanzibar.

One of the best things about the Old Fort is that it’s free to enter. Located only steps from the beach, inside you’ll find local traders selling souvenirs and trinkets. There’s a small amphitheater where you can often watch live shows, and dozens of hidden corners of the fort to explore.

Night food market

The waterfront becomes a busy place in the evening. From the beaches to the parks, everyone relishes in the more pleasant temperatures once the fierce sun has gone. The night food market is no exception.

Open evenings after 6pm until late, the night food market is a happening place. Grilled meat and seafood, Zanzibar pizza and sugarcane juice are most of what you’ll find here.

There aren’t many vegetarian options and the cooks are quite pushy at getting you to buy the often overpriced food. However the sugarcane juice with lime is delicious, and the entertainment is part of the overall experience. Don’t expect the food to change your world but it’s worth a visit at least once.

Visit the park

Next to where the night food market is, you’ll find a lovely little park. During the day it’s a nice place to sit amongst the garden and watch the ocean. It isn’t huge, but is worth a visit – if nothing else than to find the shade of a tree for a few minutes.

Keep an eye out for the local street cats, you often see a few of them here being fed by locals. Whereas most of Stone Town is hustle and bustle and quite busy, the park is a little more relaxed and serene.

Slave trade market and museum

Being on the coast of East Africa, Zanzibar has a shameful history as being inextricably linked to the abominable slave trade. While you can’t erase history, you can educate and learn from it. One of the most harrowing things to do in Stone Town is to visit the former slave trade market and museum.

Read the horrible recollections of slaves and the poor conditions they suffered here. Get to know the history of slave trading in East Africa and Zanzibar. And learn how it was finally abolished and the steps the nation took to move on.

It’s a sad place to visit, especially seeing the holding cells in the basement, however it’s a really interesting and informative experience.

TOP TRAVEL TIP: Outside you’ll be accosted by guides eager to show you the museum. Except they’ll take you past the museum to the cathedral and monument (see below). While the tours might be informative, they do distract you by taking you away from the museum. Buy your tickets outside of the museum which is located in the big mansion, then enter on the left, not through the gates/road where you’ll be directed.

Slave monument

Outside the back of the museum is a monument to the former slaves. In a pit in the garden, with a backdrop of the cathedral, is a depiction of East African slaves in chains.

The monument is really difficult to look at, but is important to recognize the horrors that occurred here until 1873. Which is not a long time ago at all. A poignant reminder of Zanzibar’s past, this is a powerful monument,

Christ Church Cathedral

You might wonder about the location of the cathedral which happens to stand where the old slave trade market once was. The cathedral, finished in 1879, was built around the ghastly place that was such a torturous part of Zanzibar’s history.

The cathedral is said to be in this spot to celebrate the end of slavery. It’s a beautiful building, and honors the slaves who lived, died and passed through this area in a number of ways – both obvious and subtle.

Buy some locally made products

Yes, you’ll find the usual tourist items you find most places around Tanzania. The same wooden carved elephants, and packs of spices that have been sitting collecting dust for years. However, Zanzibar has a lot of unique handmade products too.

One of my favorite things to do in Stone Town was look into the independent stores and galleries finding hand-made artisan products. Locally made clothing and jewelry, organic skincare products, and fair trade crafts made right here in Stone Town.

TOP TRAVEL TIP: Make sure to stop by Inaya Zanzibar. Their skincare and soaps are to die for and make the perfect gift. Their orange and chili luffa scrub soap is my top pick. You’ll spend a fortune, and you can thank me later.

Boat ride

There are boat tours offered along the shores of Stonetown. The boat owners will occasionally interrupt your relaxing beach day to tout business. If you fancy getting out on the water it could be fun to take them up on their offer.

The best thing about the boats? The names. Each has a fun name such as Gladiator, Casa Mira or Jambo (Hello in Swahili). There are a mix of traditional dhow boats, and some less seaworthy-looking boats that you might want to check before stepping onboard.

Darajani market

I don’t know about you but I just love a good market. So it’s of little surprise that one of my favorite things to do in Stone Town is visit the bustling Darajani market. Located on the outer edge of Zanzibar City’s historic Stone Town is a market that sells everything you can think of.

Breathe in the aroma of the locally sourced spices and find out really quickly why Zanzibar is also known as the spice island. Clothing, household items, fresh fruit and vegetables and all other manner of items are for sale in the tiny winding lanes that make up Darajani market.

TOP TRAVEL TIP: Avoid the pre-packaged spices bundled up for tourists as you have no idea how old they might be. Instead, head to the stalls where you can have your spices weighed out, and anywhere that locals might be buying from.

A few things to note about visiting Stone Town

Stone Town can look a little run down in places – many of the buildings here are older, and Zanzibar isn’t the wealthiest of places overall. The majority of the island is not as polished as the fancy hotel resorts make it out to be. That can be a surprise to some, but doesn’t make it any less interesting to explore.

I won’t lie, you’ll likely be hassled by people a lot. Zanzibar is incredibly touristy no matter where you are. I also noticed just as many people touting whatever business they were in along beaches around other parts of the island. But it can get wearing after a while.

There’s lots of poverty the minute you leave Stone Town. Children with no shoes run down dirt roads in rural areas on their way to school. Haphazardly fabricated houses with no windows and corrugated metal roofs line the streets. But Stone Town itself is certainly not a rich place, and there are still people who struggle financially which can lead to a lot of the extra pressure from sellers.

Cats. They are everywhere. In the same way as Istanbul, Stone Town has lots of street cats. Even around the hotel we stayed in. Some of them look less than healthy which is unfortunate and can be a little sad to see. Locals will tell you that they love the cats however we did notice some abuse and suspiciously there are no kittens – make of that what you will.

The last thing is just to be aware is that given the Muslim population in Zanzibar, it’s important to be respectful of the local culture. While you will see some tourists in typical hot weather attire, more modest dress is appreciated. I was happy to cover up a bit more given the extra hot sun. Flowy linen clothing a floppy sun hat might have saved me.

Is visiting Stone Town worth it?

Compared to resorts you might find Stone Town a little rough around the edges. But overall it’s worthwhile seeing some of the history of this old part of the city and one of the most populous parts of the island.

While your stay might not be as relaxing as in a gated resort, you’ll get a more authentic experience of Zanzibar. And the food options are more varied too.

Since there are a variety of places to stay you can also enjoy the beach here in Stone Town – however it’s definitely not as beautiful as other parts of the island.

If, like me, you have trouble sitting still or are a big history nut, there are lots of things to do in Stone Town to keep you busy. It’s absolutely worth time out of your itinerary to explore a little more.

The formerly grand buildings are falling into disrepair in places, and are more indicative of Zanzibar’s colonial history than their geographical location. However, the impoverished island has it’s gems and some lovely people if you see past the often desperate attempts to make money from visitors.

The beautiful beaches, almost consistently hot weather and island vibes make a trip to Zanzibar worthy of your time. As someone who had just finished hiking Kilimanjaro it was the slower paced, relaxing few days I needed. And you honestly can’t beat the sunsets.

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