Stone Town Zanzibar Holidays
Stone Town
Holidays
A UNESCO World Heritage city — Arab palaces, carved doors, spice markets and the birthplace of Freddie Mercury
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Flight Time
9h from London (via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam)
Best Time
June to October, December to February
Country
Zanzibar, Tanzania
Suppliers
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Stone Town Holiday Guide
Stone Town is the historic heart of Zanzibar — a UNESCO World Heritage city of extraordinary beauty, with Arab palaces, Persian baths, Indian merchant houses, carved wooden doors and the most atmospheric old city in East Africa.
The House of Wonders and the Old Fort are the most important historic buildings. The Forodhani Night Market (seafront, every evening) is the most atmospheric food market in East Africa — Zanzibar pizza, grilled seafood and spiced coffee. The spice tours of the farms around Stone Town are excellent.
Freddie Mercury was born in Stone Town in 1946 — the Mercury House and museum celebrate his extraordinary life. The Slave Market Memorial (Anglican Cathedral) is the most moving historical site on the island.
Stone Town is the arrival point for most visitors to Zanzibar — the airport is 10 minutes away. Most visitors spend 1–2 nights in Stone Town before heading to the beach resorts. The best time to visit is June to October and December to February.
Popular Areas in Stone Town
Average Temperatures
Jan
30°C
Feb
31°C
Mar
30°C
Apr
28°C
May
26°C
Jun
25°C
Jul
24°C
Aug
25°C
Sep
26°C
Oct
28°C
Nov
29°C
Dec
30°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Stone Town
The palaces, markets, carved doors and extraordinary history that make Stone Town the most culturally rich and atmospheric city in East Africa.
House of Wonders & Old Fort
The House of Wonders (Beit el-Ajaib) is the most iconic building in Stone Town — a grand 19th-century palace built by Sultan Barghash, the first building in East Africa to have electricity and an elevator. The adjacent Old Fort (Arab Fort), built by Omani Arabs in the 17th century, is the oldest building in Stone Town and hosts cultural events and a craft market.
Carved Wooden Doors
Stone Town is famous for its extraordinary carved wooden doors — over 500 intricately carved doors on the merchant houses and palaces of the old city, each one a unique work of art. The doors reflect the city's multicultural heritage — Arab, Indian and Swahili designs intertwined. The most elaborate doors are on the houses of the wealthiest merchants. A walking tour of the doors is one of the finest experiences in Stone Town.
Forodhani Night Market
The Forodhani Night Market, on the seafront in front of the Old Fort, is the most atmospheric food market in East Africa — dozens of stalls set up every evening selling Zanzibar pizza (a local speciality — a thin dough filled with meat, vegetables and egg), grilled seafood, sugarcane juice, coconut bread and Zanzibari spiced coffee. The atmosphere is extraordinary.
Freddie Mercury Birthplace
Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen, was born in Stone Town in 1946 as Farrokh Bulsara. The Mercury House (his childhood home) is now a small museum and boutique hotel. The Freddie Mercury Museum nearby has photographs, memorabilia and the story of his extraordinary life. Stone Town celebrates its most famous son with a Mercury Bar and an annual Freddie Mercury Festival.
Spice Tours
Zanzibar was once the world's largest producer of cloves — and the spice tours of the farms around Stone Town are one of the most rewarding experiences on the island. A half-day spice tour (approximately £15) visits working spice farms where guides identify and explain the uses of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, black pepper, turmeric and dozens of other spices. The tour ends with a spice-infused lunch.
Slave Market Memorial
The Anglican Cathedral and Slave Market Memorial, built on the site of the last slave market in East Africa (closed in 1873), is the most moving and historically significant site in Stone Town. The cathedral was built by freed slaves and the altar stands on the exact spot where slaves were flogged. The underground slave chambers, where enslaved people were held before sale, are preserved and open to visitors.
Wandering the Lanes
The greatest pleasure of Stone Town is simply wandering its narrow, winding lanes — getting lost in the labyrinth of alleys, stumbling upon hidden courtyards, mosques, temples and the extraordinary variety of architectural styles. The old city is small enough to explore on foot in a day but rewards multiple visits. A guided walking tour (approximately £10–15) provides essential historical context.
Dhow Harbour & Sunset Cruises
The dhow harbour at Stone Town is one of the most atmospheric in East Africa — traditional wooden dhows loading and unloading cargo, fishing boats returning with the morning catch and the extraordinary sight of the old city rising from the waterfront. Sunset dhow cruises from Stone Town are excellent — the city looks most beautiful from the water at sunset.
Explore Stone Town on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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