Top Tips for Visiting Stone Town, Zanzibar
- Sarah Brooks
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 22 hours ago
I've struggled to find the words to express how much I loved Stone Town. Sometimes, a faraway place just touches your soul in ways that words can't quite capture - but I'm going to try!
There's something so enchanting about the maze of streets and tiny alleyways that make up the heart of historic Stone Town. Here are some of my tips for making the most of this magical city.
Explore Early!
We were up and out of our hotel by 7AM to explore the city. We didn't realize it until later, but this was the best decision of our day!
The early hours gave us a chance to wander the streets as the city was just waking up. Vendors were just opening up their shops and kids were making their way to school. It was an incredibly authentic experience, before the tourists crowds came out. Later in the day many of the streets were filled with tour groups and the shops were very crowded. I'm so glad we had this experience!
We also took advantage of our early start to visit the Darajani Bazaar, where fishermen were bringing in their fresh catches for auction, vendors were selling their spices and locals were up and about doing their shopping. We didn't see a single other tourist the whole time!
(Check out my video here for more on what to expect if you add the market to your itinerary. It's an incredible experience and I'm glad we went, but it's definitely not for everyone.)
Let Yourself Get Lost
Stone Town is a literal maze of alleys and you're absolutely going to get lost. Embrace it! You'll find so many hidden gems in the quiet corners of the historic center. The entire city is a UNESCO world heritage site and its architecture is so incredibly unique.
Stone Town is known for it's intricate doors with some of them dating all the way back to the 1700s. They're everywhere and each one is so unique. (Bonus: the adorable kitties of Stone Town love napping on the stoops in front of
them. The number of cats on my camera roll
after this trip is comical!)
Being lost in Stone Town is the best part of
the adventure!
One of my favorite moments was when we wandered into a woodworking shop and the owner invited us in to see how some of the beautiful hand-crafted pieces are made. There are also wonderful antique shops tucked away in the tiny alleys.
(Pro tip: While credit cards are widely accepted in some of the bigger stores, cash is king in these small shops. Also, make sure you always negotiate the price! Shop owners love to haggle.)
Visit the Foradhani Night Market
After a day of exploring, you won’t want to miss the Foradhani Night Market. It draws locals and tourists alike and it is an absolute vibe!
Every night at sunset, locals dive off the pier into the ocean trying to out-acrobat the previous jumper. It's highly entertaining to watch and the crowd really gets into it!
The main draw of the market is the vendors who set up along the waterfront. They offer every kind of street food imaginable from seafood to shawarma. I didn't try any of the meat out of fear of an upset stomach. (Again - check out my meat market video here and it'll explain why I was being extra cautious.) We did try a famous Zanzibari pizza, which is basically a crepe with a choice of toppings. We opted for Nutella and banana and it was tasty!
Even if you don't try the food, the atmosphere makes this a must-stop on your Stone Town visit.
Dress Modestly
Zanzibar is majority Muslim country and Stone Town is very conservative. It's important to dress modestly out of respect for the local religion, customs and traditions.
If you're visiting other parts of Zanzibar's resort towns, dresses, skirts, tank tops and bathing suits are just fine. However, Stone Town is much more conservative so you should cover your shoulders and knees. (You'll see most local women with their hair covered, but if you're visiting it isn't necessary)
The vast majority of tourists we saw were very respectful of the culture; but the few who were not stood out and drew attention.
It is very hot in Zanzibar, so opt for lightweight linen dresses or pants and tops.
Visit the Slave Museum
Stone Town was once a major hub of the East African slave trade and the museum is located on the grounds of what was once a massive slave market. The museum itself is incredibly well done and offers a lot of first-hand accounts of the dark history of the city.
You can visit the several of the existing holding cells where slaves were imprisoned until they were sold.
I can't express how impactful it was to crouch in the cramped, claustrophobic, underground dungeons that once held hundreds of men and women before they were sold into slavery.
Outside, there is a Christian cathedral that was built on the exact spot in the center of the slave market, where the whipping post once stood. When you're looking at the church, you can also see a mosque standing just behind it. It's a fascinating juxtaposition of the diverse cultures of the city.
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