Stone Town Zanzibar in a nutshell
Stone Town, called Mji Mkongwe in Swahili, is the historic center of Zanzibar City on the west coast of Unguja. It is not an island of its own. The old town was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000, and the protected core covers 96 hectares. Its houses are built of coral stone and mangrove poles with lime mortar, with inner courtyards and heavy carved doors. Swahili, Arab, Indian and European influences meet in the same streets.
This guide covers the old town and the trips that start from it: walking tours, Prison Island, spice farms and the Nakupenda sandbank, plus the sights, the night market, the ferry from Dar es Salaam and the way in from the airport. Prices are for 2026 in US dollars (USD) or Tanzanian shillings (TZS) and they change, so check them before you pay.
Our picks: Stone Town tours
A full-day trip with Prison Island, a food walk at the night market, a spice tour and a sunset cruise cover most of what brings people here. If you only have an afternoon, the three-hour walk is the simple start.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Stone Town, spice farm and Prison Island in one day
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Driver and English-speaking guide
- Stone Town guided tour
Which stops, boat, lunch and tickets are included depends on the option you choose. Ask whether Prison Island entry is included before you book.
Check availability →
Stone Town, Prison Island and Nakupenda sandbank with a seafood BBQ
- Stone Town, Prison Island, Nakupenda
- Seafood BBQ
- Return boat trip
A guided walk through Stone Town, then the boat to Prison Island and the sandbank, with fruit and soft drinks alongside the BBQ. Marine conservation fees and Prison Island entry are included.
Check availability →
Sunset dhow cruise with live music
- Shared dhow
- Live music
- Snacks and soft drinks
A shared traditional dhow sails out at sunset with live music. Government fees and taxes are already in the price.
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Food markets and night market street food walk
- Night market dinner
- One drink with a view
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Three hours with a local guide through the markets and the Forodhani night market, with Zanzibar pizza, urojo, shawarma and spiced tea or coffee.
Check availability →
Spice farm tour with a Swahili lunch
- Guided spice farm tour
- Main course and dessert
- Spiced tea or coffee
A guided walk through a spice farm and a visit to a spice trader, followed by a Swahili main course and dessert. Ask whether farm entry is included before you book.
Check availability →
Three-hour Stone Town walk with a local guide
- Local guide
- Bottled water
A guided stroll through the old town with a bottle of water for everyone. Entry to the Freddie Mercury Museum and the former slave market is extra.
Check availability →Stone Town tours and day trips
Walking tours, Prison Island, spice farms, sandbank trips and food tours from Stone Town, with live prices and availability.
Plan your Stone Town trip
Pick the page that fits the question you have.
Stone Town tours
Walking tours, food tours and guides: length, group prices and what to check.
Things to do in Stone Town
Markets, museums, historic baths and the alleys of the old town.
Prison Island
Giant tortoises, the boat ride and the separate fees.
House of Wonders
The 2020 collapse, the restoration and what you can see from outside.
Freddie Mercury Museum
Hours, prices and the question of his birth house.
Forodhani Gardens
The waterfront park and the night market food stalls.
The Old Fort
Ngome Kongwe, its history and what to expect on a visit.
Former slave market
Christ Church and the memorial on the site of the last slave market.
Spice tours
Farm visits outside town, length and a price example.
Nakupenda sandbank
A sandbank that depends on the tide, and the boat ride from town.
Darajani Market
Fish, fruit, grain and spices, and how to visit with respect.
Carved doors
Omani and Gujarat door styles and the brass studs.
Where to stay
Areas of the old town and what to expect from the lanes.
Restaurants and street food
Zanzibar pizza, urojo, seafood and rooftop dining.
Weather
The rainy seasons, the dry months and monthly averages.
Ferry from Dar es Salaam
Classes, fares, luggage and the arrival at Malindi.
Airport to Stone Town
Bus, taxi, transfers, rental cars and parking.
History of Stone Town
Sultans, trade, the 1896 war and the 1964 revolution.
A few things to know before you go
Points that change how you plan the days.
House of Wonders is viewed from outside
The building is under restoration with support from Oman, and the interior is closed with no announced reopening. You can see it from the waterfront.
House of Wonders →Prison Island has several fees
The boat, the island entry and the marine conservation fee are separate costs. The marine fee for adult non-East Africans is $10 per day since 1 September 2025.
Prison Island fees →There is a bus from the airport
Line R2 runs between Kijangwani and the airport daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. for TZS 700, with tap-and-ride payment only. A taxi or transfer is the alternative.
Airport to Stone Town →Travel insurance is now required for the mainland too
Since October 2026 the compulsory insurance covers the Tanzanian mainland as well. On one trip, the policy from your first point of entry is enough: NIC for the mainland, ZIC for Zanzibar.
Festival dates for 2027
The Sauti za Busara festival has been announced for 19 to 21 March 2027. In 2026 it took place at the Mnazi Mmoja grounds, not at the Old Fort. Check the festival's own announcement before you book.
Old Fort →Dress for the old town
Shorts and sleeveless tops can cause offence outside the resorts, and Stone Town is a place where this matters. Light, covering clothes are more comfortable in the heat anyway.
Beyond the old town
Other places have their own guides.
For beaches, Mnemba, Jozani and the rest of the island, see the Zanzibar island guide. Safari trips by plane to the parks of the mainland are covered by Nyerere National Park from Zanzibar. This site stays with Stone Town and the trips you can start from it.
More independent guides to Tanzania
Separate guides from the same team.
Ngorongoro
The crater, fees, crater tours and the highlands.
Serengeti
Safaris, the Great Migration, park fees and the best season.
Kilimanjaro
Climbing routes, day hikes, park fees and trips from Moshi.
Tarangire
Elephants, baobabs, day trips from Arusha and park fees.
Lake Manyara
Tree-climbing lions, flamingos, Mto wa Mbu and park fees.
Arusha
Arusha National Park, Mount Meru, the city and its airports.
Lake Natron
Flamingos, Ol Doinyo Lengai and the Engare Sero waterfall.
Ruaha
Lions, walking safaris and the southern circuit.
Nyerere
Boat safaris on the Rufiji, wild dogs, park fees and trips from Zanzibar.
Selous
The Selous name, Frederick Selous, the World Heritage Site and Selous safaris.
Mikumi
Safaris from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, the SGR train and the Udzungwa Mountains.
Zanzibar
Beaches, Mnemba snorkeling, Jozani Forest, the best time to visit and entry rules.
Stone Town: frequently asked questions
What is Stone Town?
It is the historic core of Zanzibar City on the island of Unguja, known as Mji Mkongwe in Swahili. It is a lived-in town with shops, homes and markets, and a World Heritage Site since 2000. The protected area covers 96 hectares, with a buffer zone of 84.79 hectares.
How long do I need in Stone Town?
A guided walk through the main sights takes 2 to 3 hours. Add an evening at the Forodhani night market and a half day for a boat trip to Prison Island or the sandbank, and two or three days are comfortable.
Can I go inside the House of Wonders?
Not at present. The interior is closed and no reopening date has been announced. The building can be seen from the waterfront. The House of Wonders page explains the collapse and the restoration.
How do I get from the airport to Stone Town?
By airport bus line R2 for TZS 700, by taxi or by a booked transfer. A booked transfer costs about $15 for a sedan with up to 3 people and $20 for an SUV or van with up to 5, priced per vehicle. See airport to Stone Town.
What should I wear?
Light clothes that cover shoulders and knees are the polite choice in the old town. Beachwear belongs at the beach and in resorts.
Is stone-town.org the official site of Stone Town?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It has no link to the Stone Town Conservation and Development Authority, a museum, a hotel, a ferry company or a tour operator.