UNESCO World Heritage City & Cultural Heart of Zanzibar
Things to Do in Stone Town 2026
From spice tours and dhow cruises to night markets and historic sites — Stone Town offers extraordinary experiences at every turn. Activities from just $15.
Top 6 Things to Do in Stone Town
Stone Town’s UNESCO-listed streets pack an extraordinary density of history, culture, food and adventure into a small walkable area.
Culture & NatureHalf day (3–4 hrs)Spice Farm Tour
- ✓Cloves, nutmeg & vanilla plants
- ✓Fresh spice tasting
- ✓Local farmers’ cooperative visit
Water Activities2 hoursDhow Sunset Cruise
- ✓Traditional wooden dhow
- ✓Drinks & snacks included
- ✓Stone Town skyline views
History & Culture3 hoursStone Town Walking Tour
- ✓Arab Fort & House of Wonders
- ✓50+ carved Zanzibari doors
- ✓Darajani Market
Food & NightlifeEvening (self-guided)Forodhani Night Market
- ✓50+ food stalls
- ✓Zanzibar pizza & Urojo soup
- ✓Fresh grilled seafood
Nature & WildlifeHalf day (4–5 hrs)Prison Island Giant Tortoise Visit
- ✓Giant Aldabra tortoises
- ✓19th-century prison ruins
- ✓Boat ride included
History & Education2 hoursSlave Market & Anglican Cathedral Tour
- ✓Original slave market site
- ✓Anglican Cathedral (1873)
- ✓Underground slave chambers
Exploring Stone Town’s Historic Core
Stone Town’s old city is a living museum. Barely one kilometre across at its widest point, the UNESCO-listed medina contains more than 50 ornately carved wooden doors — each one a statement of wealth, origin and faith from the Arab, Indian and Swahili families who shaped the city. The Arab Fort, or Ngome Kongwe, built between 1698 and 1701, is the oldest surviving structure and a perfect starting point for any walking tour. Its thick coral-stone walls enclose an open-air amphitheatre that still hosts concerts and cultural events today.
Adjacent to the fort, the House of Wonders was the grandest building in 19th-century East Africa. Built by Sultan Barghash in 1883, it was the first building on the island to have running water, electricity and a mechanical lift. Today it functions as a Museum of History and Culture, with exhibits covering Swahili civilisation, maritime trade and the spice economy. Allow at least 90 minutes to do the museum justice before heading to the narrow streets behind it.
Spice Tours & Culinary Experiences
Zanzibar’s spice farms are among the most memorable half-day excursions available anywhere in East Africa. Located on the island’s central plains, 30–45 minutes from Stone Town, the plantations grow cloves (Zanzibar once supplied 90% of the world’s supply), nutmeg, cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon, lemongrass and vanilla. A knowledgeable farmer-guide leads you through the grounds, breaking open pods and crushing leaves so you experience each spice at its most vivid and aromatic.
Food experiences in Stone Town go far beyond the spice farm. Forodhani Night Market is essential: dozens of vendors fire up charcoal grills at dusk along the seafront promenade, cooking Zanzibar pizza (a thin dough folded around egg, meat and vegetables), freshly caught lobster, octopus and red snapper. Urojo — the iconic Zanzibari coconut soup — is served in styrofoam cups alongside cassava chips. For a more formal culinary experience, a Swahili cooking class in a traditional Stone Town home is an unforgettable afternoon activity.
Sunset Dhow Cruises & Marine Activities
Few experiences in Zanzibar match the romance of a sunset dhow cruise from Stone Town harbour. These hand-built wooden sailing vessels have plied the Indian Ocean for centuries, and stepping aboard one as the afternoon cools feels like slipping back in time. Most cruises last around two hours, sailing north past the fishing village of Mtoni before turning back as the sun touches the horizon. Drinks, fresh fruit and light snacks are included, and the crew often sing traditional taarab music.
For those wanting more active water time, a half-day trip to Prison Island (Changuu Island) combines snorkeling in clear turquoise water with a visit to the island’s famous giant tortoise sanctuary. The Aldabra tortoises here are some of the oldest living animals on the planet — one individual is believed to be over 190 years old. The island also contains the ruins of a late 19th-century detention facility, adding a layer of history to what is otherwise a brilliantly relaxing excursion.
The Slave Market & Historical Sites
The Slave Market and Anglican Cathedral tour is one of the most profound experiences in all of East Africa. Stone Town was the principal slave market of the Indian Ocean world, and the site where tens of thousands of enslaved people were bought and sold before abolition in 1873. The underground holding chambers — dark, cramped, barely large enough to stand in — remain intact and are open to visitors. Standing in them is a visceral reminder of the site’s terrible history.
In 1873, the same year Sultan Barghash signed the anti-slavery treaty under British pressure, the Anglican Cathedral was consecrated on the exact spot of the former slave market. Its altar stands above the original whipping post. The cathedral is still an active place of worship and contains a moving memorial to David Livingstone, whose heart is buried on the African mainland. Our guided tour lasts approximately two hours and includes the cathedral, the holding chambers and the nearby Livingstone House.
Practical Tips for Visiting Stone Town
Stone Town is most comfortably explored on foot, but the alleyways can be confusing for first-time visitors — hiring a licensed guide for at least your first half-day is strongly recommended. The town is safe to walk at most hours, though after midnight in the more remote alleyways it is wise to stay in groups. Modest dress (covered shoulders and knees) is respectful and expected near mosques and the Anglican Cathedral.
The best time to explore the old town on foot is early morning (7–9 am) before the heat builds and the tour groups arrive. The light at this hour is also exceptional for photography, casting long shadows through the alleyways and illuminating the intricate carved doors in warm golden tones. Carry a reusable water bottle — the heat in Stone Town can be intense between April and March. Most Stone Town hotels and riads offer free luggage storage if you arrive before check-in time.
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