Stone Town City Guide — Attractions, Food & Tips

Stone Town City GuideThe ancient heart of Zanzibar, a labyrinth of narrow coral-stone alleys, intricately carved wooden doors, and crumbling sultan's palaces overlooking a turquoise sea. Stone Town is where African, Arab, Indian, and European cultures have fused for over a thousand years.Key Facts

Country: Tanzania

Currency: TZS (Tanzanian Shilling)

Language: Swahili & English

Time Zone: UTC+3

Best Time to Visit: June–October

Top Places to Visit

Palace Museum (Beit el-Sahel) — The former palace of the Sultan of Zanzibar, now a museum documenting the island's royal history. Period furniture, ceremonial artifacts, and views over the waterfront from the upper floors.

House of Wonders (Beit el-Ajaib) — The largest building in Stone Town, built in 1883 as a ceremonial palace. It was the first building in East Africa to have electricity and an elevator. Currently under restoration.

Forodhani Gardens — A waterfront park that transforms nightly into Zanzibar's most famous food market. Vendors grill seafood, Zanzibar pizza, sugarcane juice, and more against the backdrop of a fiery Indian Ocean sunset.

Old Fort (Arab Fort) — Built by Omani Arabs in 1699 on the site of a Portuguese church, the fort now hosts cultural events, craft shops, and an open-air amphitheater. A central landmark of Stone Town.

Anglican Cathedral — Christ Church Cathedral was deliberately built on the site of the last slave market in 1873. The altar stands where the whipping post once was. The adjacent slave chambers can still be visited.

Local Food

Zanzibar Pizza — Not Italian pizza — a thin dough pocket filled with meat, egg, vegetables, and cheese, folded and fried on a hot griddle. The star of Forodhani Gardens night market.

Pilau Rice — Fragrant rice cooked with cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, and cumin — reflecting Zanzibar's spice heritage. Served with meat, fish, or vegetables and a tangy tomato-onion chutney.

Octopus Curry — Tender octopus simmered in a coconut curry with turmeric, chili, and tamarind. A Zanzibari specialty that perfectly blends Indian Ocean seafood with Indian and Arab spice traditions.

Urojo (Zanzibar Mix) — A tangy turmeric-based soup with bhajia, boiled eggs, potatoes, chutney, and coconut. A uniquely Zanzibari fusion dish with Indian and African influences.

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