Beaches and coast
Historic town · UNESCO World Heritage Site
Stone Town, Zanzibar
A Swahili trading town of carved doors and narrow lanes.
- Zanzibar
- Best: Jul–Oct, Dec–Feb
- World Heritage Site (2000)
Overview
- UNESCO
- World Heritage Site (2000)
- Island
- Unguja (Zanzibar)
- From Dar es Salaam
- About 2 hours by ferry, 20 minutes by air
- Airport
- Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ)
Stone Town is the old city of Zanzibar Town on Unguja island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Its coral-stone buildings, carved doors and narrow lanes reflect centuries of African, Arab, Indian and European trade.
Landmarks include the Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe), the Palace Museum, the Anglican Cathedral built on the site of the last open slave market, and the House of Wonders, which partly collapsed in December 2020 and is being restored.
In the evening, Forodhani Gardens on the seafront fills with food stalls.
- Former slave market
A memorial and exhibition at the Anglican Cathedral.
- Forodhani Gardens
Evening street food on the seafront.
- Carved doors
Hundreds of ornate Swahili and Indian doors.
Things to do
- Guided walking tour
With a licensed local guide.
- Spice farm tour
Half-day trips outside town.
- Dhow sunset cruise
From the seafront.
When to go
Driest June to October and December to February; April and May bring heavy rain.
- Jan: Best
- Feb: Best
- Mar: Good
- Apr: Wetter
- May: Wetter
- Jun: Good
- Jul: Best
- Aug: Best
- Sep: Best
- Oct: Best
- Nov: Good
- Dec: Best
Costs
There is no single entry fee: each museum and site charges its own small fee, paid on the spot. The Zanzibar government does not publish these rates online.
Getting there
- By boatFrom Dar es SalaamAbout 2 hours
Fast ferries several times a day.
- By airFrom Dar es Salaam or ArushaAbout 20 minutes from Dar
Many daily flights to Zanzibar (ZNZ), plus direct international flights.
Open larger map Directions Marker shows an approximate location.
Photos
Know before you go
- Zanzibar is mostly Muslim; cover shoulders and knees in town, especially during Ramadan.
- Ferries from Dar es Salaam arrive at Malindi port; Zanzibar has its own immigration check.
- Foreign visitors must buy Tanzania's US$44 inbound travel insurance (92 days) before arrival: from NIC for the mainland or ZIC for Zanzibar. One policy covers both; residents of EAC and SADC countries are exempt.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I spend in Stone Town?
One or two nights is enough for the main sights before heading to the beaches.
Do I need a separate visa for Zanzibar?
No. Zanzibar is part of Tanzania and a Tanzanian visa covers it, though passports are checked on arrival.
Sources
Checked on 23 October 2026. Fees and rules change; confirm with the authority or your operator before you pay.
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