Stone Town is the historic heart of Zanzibar City and the place every visitor should start. For centuries it was the capital of a trading empire that linked Africa, Arabia and India, and its tangle of narrow lanes still shows it: tall coral-stone houses with carved wooden doors and balconies, Omani-era palaces, Indian merchants’ shops, mosques, Hindu temples and two great cathedrals, all packed into a small triangle of land beside the sea. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Without a guide it is easy to get lost and to miss the stories, so a short walking tour on the first morning pays off for the rest of the trip. This page links to a two-and-a-half-hour guided walk on Tiqets, limited to six people, that starts at the Forodhani Gardens on the waterfront and takes in the Old Fort, the sultans’ palace, the site of the former slave market and the quiet residential lanes in between, with a local guide explaining how the town grew and who lived where.
How it works: the tour is run by Funbeach Zanzibar Tours and starts at 9:30 at the Forodhani Gardens, opposite the Old Fort, where you show the ticket on your phone. It lasts about two and a half hours with a live English-speaking guide, in a group of no more than six. Food, drinks and tips are not included, and free cancellation and rescheduling are possible until 24 hours before.
What you see: the route covers the Old Fort, built by the Omanis in the late seventeenth century; the waterfront palace of the sultans; the site of the former slave market, now marked by the Anglican cathedral; and the lanes, doors, balconies and small squares of the old town. The House of Wonders, the grandest building on the seafront, has been under restoration since part of it collapsed in 2020, so you see it from outside only.
Making the most of it: wear comfortable shoes and modest clothes that cover shoulders and knees, as Stone Town is a conservative, mainly Muslim community. Mornings are cooler and quieter than afternoons. Afterwards, go back to the slave market memorial for a longer visit, browse the Darajani Bazaar, and return to the Forodhani Gardens at dusk for the food stalls.
What to expect
The experience
A small-group morning walk from the Forodhani Gardens through the Old Fort, the palace quarter, the former slave market site and the residential lanes of Stone Town.
Best time
The 9:30 start beats the midday heat, and the dry months from June to October and December to February are the most comfortable for walking.
How long
About two and a half hours, ending in the old town so you can carry on exploring on your own.
Tips
Cover shoulders and knees, wear shoes with grip for uneven lanes, carry water and small notes for a juice or coffee along the way.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want to understand Stone Town before exploring it alone.
- Families
- School-age children enjoy the carved doors, the fort and the stories of sultans and traders, and the walk is short enough for them.
- Couples
- A relaxed, small-group introduction that leaves the afternoon free for a rooftop lunch and a sunset by the sea.
- Pair with
- The Forodhani night food market walk in the evening, or the Old Slave Market tour for a deeper look at the town’s darkest history.
- Time needed
- A morning for the tour, and a full day if you add museums, the bazaar and the waterfront at dusk.
Good questions
Where does the Stone Town tour start?+
It starts at the Forodhani Gardens on the Stone Town waterfront, opposite the Old Fort, at 9:30. Show your mobile ticket to the guide there.
How big are the groups?+
The tour is limited to six people, so it feels personal and the guide can answer questions. It is led live in English.
Can I go inside the House of Wonders?+
No, the House of Wonders has been under restoration since part of the building collapsed in 2020. You can see its facade from the waterfront.
What should I wear in Stone Town?+
Wear light clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, as Stone Town is a conservative community. Swimwear is for the beach and hotel pools only.
Can I cancel the tour?+
Yes, free cancellation and rescheduling are possible until 24 hours before the start. After that the ticket is not refundable.
