Stone Town Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Stone Town. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Private Stone Town Cultural and Historical Walking Tour - Zanzibar

• Stone Town Walking Tour with Hassan

• 3-Hour Private Stone Town Walking Tour

• Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour

• Walking City Tour in Zanzibar Island

It’s free to visit Stone Town, as it’s a public part of Zanzibar. However, tours are a great way to get your bearings among the winding alleys and learn more about its rich history. Private walking tours that let you set the pace cost from as little as US$16.

Yes, Stone Town is worth visiting; it's the oldest part of Zanzibar City, the capital of Tanzania's Zanzibar Island. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its blend of Arab, Persian, Swahili, Indian, and European cultural influences, so it's sure to appeal to history buffs and architecture enthusiasts.

Per one customer who booked the Walking City Tour in Zanzibar Island, "Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and taught us all about the history in the area. He was able to answer all of our questions. I would recommend this tour."

Also called Mij Mkongwe (“Old Town” in Swahili), Stone Town is the oldest part of Zanzibar City, the capital of Tanzania’s Zanzibar Island. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its mix of Arab, Persian, Swahili, Indian, and European cultural influences, the former coastal trading town is famed for its bazaars and winding alleys.

The town’s buildings—most dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries—are constructed with coral rag, a pinkish limestone produced from coral reef, and supported with mangrove timber. This gives Stone Town its distinctive look. Another architectural feature is the intricately carved entranceways known as Zanzibar doors.

Learn about the island’s Zanzibar Sultanate during a visit to the 19th-century Palace Museum, wander through the Old Fort, Stone Town’s oldest monument, observe people haggling over produce and seafood at Darajani Market, and honor the brutal fates of the people traded in Zanzibar at the Old Slave Market, once the largest of its kind.

A full day here will let you tick off most of the main sights. A guided tour—options abound, including food or history-themed tours— is most convenient for day trippers, as you’ll avoid getting lost in the labyrinth of streets. To soak up the unique atmosphere, aim for two or three days.

Unless you’re at the beach, avoiding wearing shorts in Stone Town is best. Locals are used to seeing international tourists, but it’s best to show respect by covering up knees, chests, and shoulders. While alcohol is not part of Zanzibar’s culture, it is easy to find within licensed bars and restaurants.

Swahili is the official language of Zanzibar. It’s the primary language throughout East Africa, so learning a few greetings or basic phrases is a good idea. That said, both English and Arabic are commonly spoken on the island. People within tourist areas usually know other European languages, such as French or Italian.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting Stone Town. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Zanzibar:

• Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park

• Darajani Market

• Old Fort

• Nungwi Mnarani Aquarium and Marine Turtle Conservation Lagoon

• House of Wonders

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Zanzibar.