Zanzibar Stone Town City Tour : Stone Town, located on the island’s western shore, is the cultural hub of the island as well as the old city section of Zanzibar City. The city received its name from the many large, multistory stone buildings that dot the landscape of the ancient town.
STONE TOWN TOUR HIGHLIGHTS!
- Visiting Stone Town’s historical structures, such as the Sultans’ Palace, the House of Wonders, and the Freddie Mercury House.
- Shopping in Stone Town’s Darajani Market.
- Experience the Stone Town tour’s local fish auction.
- Learn more about Stone Town’s culture and architecture.
- Capturing stunning images of Stone Town.
TOUR SHORT OVERVIEW
These structures are composed of mortar and coral rather than stone. Corals are a fantastic and cheaply available building material, but they are also quickly damaged. Some of the houses are in poor condition, and the Stone Town Conservation Authority coordinates renovations to restore the town to its former beauty.
ITINERARY: DETAILS OF THE ZANZIBAR STONE TOWN CITY TOUR
Depart from your hotel at 9 o’clock: We shall begin our exploration of the city’s stunning history and culture. The fruit market, which started in 1904 and offers a wide selection of tropical fruits and spices, will be our first destination. This will be followed by a tour of Mkunazini’s Anglican Cathedral, which was built in 1874 on the site of a former slave market.
The guide will explain the city’s slave history and show you where slaves were auctioned. The National Museum of Zanzibar, commonly known as the Peace Memorial Museum, will be our next stop. The museum houses a large collection of natural history and artifacts from the island. Then we’ll stroll to Forodhani Gardens, where you can visit the former British Consulate, where explorers like Dr. Livingston and Stanley came for administrative reasons before embarking on expeditions.
We will also visit the nearby Old Fort and the House of Wonders, Zanzibar’s tallest structure, which was built by the Sultan as a ceremonial and administrative facility. We will examine the antique houses, most of which are more than 150 years old, with a refreshing walk along the small streets. We will round out our journey by visiting Dr. Livingston House. The museum charges an admission fee. Our tour will conclude in Marahubi, where we will see the ruins of Sultan Barghash’s palace.
THIS TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- Guided half-day trip (morning or afternoon, 3 to 4 hours), private for your group
- Local, experienced English-speaking guide; other languages on request, if available
- Transportation: from any hotel in Zanzibar
- Activities included in an itinerary
Kindly get in touch with us to know the price for this tour and to make a booking. Either a private expedition or joining a group are options for this three days trip. If you want to be a part of a group, send us your inquiry, and we’ll help you join a group. The same goes for those interested in a private tour!
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT STONE TOWN TOUR
STONE TOWN ZANZIBAR QUICK FACTS
Stone Town, located on the island’s western shore, is the cultural hub of the island as well as the old city section of Zanzibar City. The city received its name from the many large, multistory stone buildings that dot the landscape of the ancient town. These structures are composed of mortar and coral rather than stone. Corals are a fantastic and cheaply available building material, but they are also quickly damaged.
Some of the houses are in poor condition, and the Stone Town Conservation Authority coordinates renovations to restore the town to its former beauty. The city has kept its 19th-century style, when Zanzibar was an important trading center in the Indian Ocean. With two cathedrals and over 50 mosques, it is a town with vast bazaars, mosques, twisting and narrow alleys, and large Arab mansions.
Stone Town has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stone Town is a Zanzibar tourism spot that visitors will not regret or forget. The tourist infrastructure has grown enormously. Accommodations range in price, from cheap hostels to the most expensive hotels. Modern transportation is available to and from the island. The international airport is about 5 kilometers away and can be reached by ferry.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE STONE TOWN
Stone Town, located on Zanzibar’s west coast, has a tropical climate typical of the East African coast. All year, it is quite humid, with temperatures ranging from warm to hot. Rainfall is exceptionally heavy from mid-March to late May, as well as in November. The best time to visit Stone Town is between December and February, when it is pleasant and mostly dry, or between June and October, when it is cooler and the weather is drier.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE STONE TOWN TOUR
Stone Town Tour with Zanzibar Local Tour Guides
Book your Stone Town tour with a local Zanzibari tour guide today. Our guides are all from Zanzibar and speak a variety of languages. English, French, German, and Italian We exclusively hire local tour guides because we believe they have a greater understanding of Zanzibar and can provide you with insider access that allows you to see the island like a local.
Tour the Narrow Streets of Stone Town
The Stone Town is made up of many narrow streets that all look the same. If this is your first visit to Stone Town, we strongly advise you to stroll with a tour guide who knows each way. In our Stone Town walking tour, our guide will accompany you around the streets of Stone Town, pointing you to various historical and cultural sites.
Learn Zanzibar history with a half-day stone town tour.
Stone Town is one of East Africa’s oldest Swahili towns. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. When it comes to the history of the East African region, Stone Town has a lot of stories to tell. Our guide will tell you intriguing anecdotes about Stone Town and the Zanzibar Islands as a whole throughout your tour. You will witness Freddie Mercury’s birthplace, the former Slave Market, and the old local Darajani Market, which was created during Sultan Ali Bin Humud’s reign.
MORE THINGS TO DO IN STONE TOWN
Other things you can do while you are in Stone Town are:
- Visit the prison on Changuu Island.
- Relaxing on Nakupenda Sandbank
- Traditional Sunset Dhow Cruise
- Forodhani Night Market
STONE TOWN TOUR FAQS
Do you provide transport from my hotel? We provide transportation to and from any hotel in Zanzibar.
Where do I begin to book the tour? It’s that easy! Please get in touch with us via WhatsApp or the tour booking form.
What should I pack for the Stone Town Tour? Simply put on your regular clothes. Please do not wear shorts because you will be meeting locals.
How much does the Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour cost? Safari Blue prices vary depending on the number of guests and whether the trip is private or shared. In fact, the price per person decreases as the number of individuals increases.
Can I pay by card? Yes, we accept credit cards and cash payments.
How long does the Stone Town Tour last? The Stone Town tour takes about three hours to complete.
Is it possible to combine the Stone Town tour with other tours? Yes, you can combine Stone Town with other trips. Such include Prison Island, Spice Farm, and Jozani Forest.
What will your major destinations be? The House of Wonder, the Old Fort, the Darajani Market, the Old Slave Market, the Freddie Mercury House, and so on
Is it worthwhile to go to Stone Town? Yes, there is a lot of history and culture to discover in Stone Town.
When is the best time to visit Stone Town? Stone Town is open almost every day. Please check the weather forecast for the given day.
