10 Things to do in Stone Town – Zanzibar!

10 THINGS NOT TO MISS IN STONE TOWN, ZANZIBAR!

STONE TOWN – Despite its tiny size and obscure location, Stone Town – Zanzibar’s capital, is what makes this island so different from a thousand other tropical isles. This historic heart of Zanzibar was constructed during the 19th century and remains largely unchanged.

Behind its elegant waterfront, awaits a photographer’s dream, crumbling Arabian-inspired buildings, ornate doorways hinting at the secrets that lie within their rooms, children running through the streets playing and shouting, women in headscarves scurrying along in the shadows, men in their skullcaps walking to one of the numerous mosques to pray… Stone Town is full of character and exotic atmosphere that shouldn’t be missed.

Stone Town is best explored on foot – despite all of its diversity and attractions, many people rush through it. We find that a few nights stay here before or after your beach escape in Zanzibar is perfect. Take your time to explore this lovely town, no need to rush.

HERE ARE OUR TOP TEN THINGS TO DO IN STONE TOWN, ZANZIBAR.

And the number one reason to visit Stone Town is… Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is a splendid example of the Swahili coastal trading towns of East Africa.

Stone Town retains its historic 19th-century urban architecture, which brought together disparate elements of the cultures of Africa, Persia, the Arab region, India, and Europe. Visiting this cultural experience before or after your beach escape in Zanzibar allows you to walk down memory lane.

1. Visit the Forodhani Night Market

Just as the sun sets, food vendors set their tables ready to welcome tourists and locals for mouthwatering Zanzibar delicacies.

This is the Zanzibar Forodhani night market where every night there is an amazing food market right in the center of town, located by the seaside and at the front of the historical Old fort.

Forodhani night market is absolutely colourful and full of incredible street food stalls (go with an empty stomach!).

Tip: Always ask for prices before making an order, and by the way, food vendors at the night market love it when you take pictures.

2. Explore the streets and get lost.

Zanzibar’s Stone town has a lot of places of interest and attractions to look out for and many of them are free, the best thing to do is meander through the Labyrinths of narrow alleys leading to palaces, mosques, markets, and old Arab houses; tiny shops selling colourful tinga-tinga paintings, Zanzibar clocks and heavily adorned chests. It’s a lively and safe vibrant atmosphere awaiting to be experienced.

Tip: What to look out for – Darajani Bazaar and market where determined Zanzibaris shop for fragrant spices, exotic fruit, and fresh fish, Beautiful Zanzibar doors, historical buildings such as the former slave market site, Old fort, old dispensary, the Cathedral, and always remember to smile.

3. Go on a day tour

Being centrally located, the best way to experience Stone town and Zanzibar, in general, is to go on a few guided day tours. Most of the tours starting from Stone Town can be arranged as private tours or shared tours with daily departures.

The beauty of a guided tour in Zanzibar is that it shows you the very best of the island without wasting any time. You can put your feet up rest assured you’ll be taken around the very best sights, sounds, and smells on offer.

Tip: Some of the tours that are best done from stone town included: Spice Tour, Prison Island tour, Stone Town walking tour, Nakupenda sandbank tour.

4. Shop the Stone Town street markets for souvenirs

Sure, souvenir shops are fine but walk through Stone Town’s streets and you’ll find too many treasures to fit in your carry on! T-shirts, bags, pottery, wood and stone carvings, beaded jewellery, tribal masks, whatever you need to weigh down your bag, you’ll find it here. Vendors expect to haggle with you so be prepared to use your best negotiation skills to find a great bargain

Tip: Best shopping areas: Gizenga Street, and Kenyatta Street, and the Darajani Bazaar. Always ask where the locals do their shopping in Stone town if you are a bargain hunter!

5. Mingle with the locals

Want to discover those hidden gems off the beaten track while in Stone Town? If the answer is YES, then Smile while you are in Zanzibar.

You’d be surprised how far a smile goes while you’re travelling through Zanzibar. The most authentic tastes of a country come from the people who call them home – so say Hello or Jambo, don’t be afraid to ask questions and laugh along with the jokes even if you don’t find the humor.

You could even end up getting an invite back for dinner with a family or be given a special gift. After all, there is no one better person to show you the most beautiful parts of Stone town than a local.

Tip: Best places to mingle with locals: Forodhani gardens, Jaws corner, victoria gardens, and the beach

6. Dine at a restaurant in Stone town

Speaking of dining, Stone Town is famous all over the Zanzibar islands for its choices of restaurants offering mouth-watering cuisine rich with a blend of flavors from African, Persian, Arabic, Indian, and European cultures.

The restaurants found throughout Stone town offer a wide choice of dining from amazing Zanzibar street food available on the run, to affordable, wholesome meals or fine cuisine, particularly seafood. Stone Town’s dining experience is worth giving a try!

Tip: Favourite restaurants for local cuisine: Lukmaan restaurant, Ma shaa Allah cafe.

7. Don’t turn down a night out… no matter where you are in Zanzibar

Stone town is not a typical party destination, however, there is always something happening every night. So instead of lounging at your hostel or hotel and even if you don’t feel like drinking or dancing, go out and experience some nightlife recommended by your guide, even if it’s only for an hour.

Don’t forget – you came to Zanzibar to make long-lasting memories (and a friend or two) after-all… and does a good night’s sleep result in these? … Just don’t forget to drink responsibly if you have too.

Tip: For nightlife, Checkout – The Old Fort, The Tatu bar & restaurant, The Living Stone restaurant, The 6 degrees rooftop bar, and for a more local experience, check out the CCM restaurant and bar located just on the outskirts of Stone Town.

8. Chill on a Stone Town beach, Zanzibar

Yes, you read that right. Just chill by the beautiful stone town beach and watch the locals go by with their daily activities or take a swim to cool off.

We love a good beach day as much as the next guy, but getting out on the water and taking advantage of one of Zanzibar’s incredible white sand beach is an absolute must.

There are a couple of open-air restaurants right on the beachfront too – what else could you ask for? If you enjoy chilling on a beach

9. Enjoy a sunset drink from a rooftop or by the beachside

Nothing is more beautiful than watching the golden sky change colors as the sun sets, dhows sailing out into the ocean for a night of fishing and the locals play football by the beach as you relax with a cold sundowner as you savour every second of this trip of a lifetime.

The stone town offers some of the nicest places to watch the sunset in Zanzibar.

Tip: Best places for sunset viewing  – Maru Maru Rooftop restaurant, and Africa house restaurant for those who prefer watching the sunset from a rooftop or Travellers café, Beach House, and Livingstone bar and restaurant for those who prefer watching the sunset by the beach.

10. Discover the Zanzibar Doors

Don’t visit Stone Town without getting to know famous Zanzibar doors! Learn how to identify Indian, Arab, and Swahili doors and read the carvings to reveal residents’ social status, religion, and profession

The doors of Stone Town, Zanzibar, add much to the character of the town and together with the buildings make up the architecture that earned Zanzibar’s Stone Town a World Heritage listing. The coral-line walled houses of the ancient city are simple and imposing but their most distinctive feature is their doors.

Note that Stone Town can be noisy! Frequent calls to prayer from the mosques, along with the hustle and bustle of town, are part of everyday life here. It’s a lively, vibrant atmosphere, but don’t expect peace and quiet.