Stone Town
Stone Town is the old port quarter of Zanzibar City, where narrow lanes, carved doors and waterfront food stalls make a slow first stop.
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Stone Town is the historic core of Zanzibar City, on Unguja, the largest island of the Zanzibar Archipelago in Tanzania. Its coral-stone houses show trade links with the Swahili coast, Arabia, India and Europe, and the town grew into a major trading port under the Omani sultans in the 1800s. You can see that mix in the carved wooden doors, the ornate balconies and the cooking along the waterfront. Landmarks include the Old Fort, the House of Wonders, the Palace Museum and the Anglican cathedral, which was built on the site of the former slave market.
Stone Town suits travelers who like to walk without a fixed plan. The lanes are narrow and many turn back on themselves, so a map or a local guide helps. Plan one to two days for the old town, with time for a museum and the seafront food stalls at Forodhani Gardens in the evening. The dry months, June to October and December to February, are the most comfortable for walking. Pair the town with a few nights on Unguja's beaches.
Stone Town in five
- Get a Tanzania visa before you flyMost passports need a visa for Tanzania, and Zanzibar follows the same national entry rules. Check your status and apply online before departure, then keep the approval on your phone and on paper.Visas and entry
- Carry small Tanzanian shilling notesMany small shops, market stalls and taxi drivers take cash only. Bring small shilling notes for fares, tips and snacks, since large notes are hard to change.Money and costs
- Set up data before you leave the airportThe old town is a maze of narrow lanes that are easy to get lost in. Download offline maps and buy an eSIM or local data before you head into town.Phones and eSIM
- Dress modestly in the old townZanzibar is mostly Muslim. Cover shoulders and knees on the streets, and take off your shoes before entering a mosque.
- Agree a boat fare before you boardBoats to Prison Island and to snorkeling spots are priced at the harbor. Settle the fare, the length of the trip and the return time before you step on board.Tours and tickets
Things to do in Stone Town
See all attractions in Stone Town
Need to know
- Currency
- Tanzanian shilling (TZS)
- Entry
- Visa needed by most passports; apply through Tanzania's e-visa portal Read more
- Emergency
- 112 general emergency; ask your hotel for local police and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not required; about 10% at restaurants without a service charge
- Time
- UTC+3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryHot, humid
- FebruaryDry, hot
- MarchLong rains
- AprilLong rains
- MayRains easing
- JuneDry, cooler
- JulyDry, breezy
- AugustDry, breezy
- SeptemberDry, hot
- OctoberHot, humid
- NovemberShort rains
- DecemberWarm, humid
Right now in Stone Town
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 91%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 99%
Zanzibar
02:24 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today31°25°99%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Wed33°24°92%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Thu32°25°80%Thursday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Fri33°25°55%Friday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Sat32°24°48%Saturday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 48%.
- Sun32°24°62%Sunday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 62%.
- Mon33°25°65%Monday: Clear. High 33°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 65%.
Updated 01:35 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 2,635 TZS
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Prison Island (Changuu)about 20 to 30 min by boatGiant tortoises and a short boat ride across the harbor.
- Jozani Forestabout 45 min to 1 hour by carRed colobus monkeys in a protected forest in the island's interior.
- A spice farmabout 30 to 45 min by carClove, cinnamon and vanilla grown on working farms, often with a guided walk.
- Nungwiabout 1 to 2 hours by roadBeaches on the north coast, better as a stay than a day trip.Read the guide
Before you go to Stone Town
Rules for Stone Town, checked
- Most passports need a Tanzania visa. Check your status and apply on the immigration e-visa portal before you fly.Source
- Zanzibar is mostly Muslim. Cover shoulders and knees on the streets and take off your shoes before entering a mosque.
- During Ramadan, do not eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours, out of respect for people fasting.
- Zanzibar restricts plastic bags, and officials can check luggage on arrival. Check the current rule before you pack.
Plan around Stone Town
Entry rules, money and transport for a Tanzania trip
Read the guideZanzibar islandThe island, its beaches and the day trips from Stone Town
Read the guideThe wider archipelagoPemba and the smaller islands beyond Zanzibar island
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a Tanzania visa and how to apply
Read the guideGetting aroundFlights, ferries and taxis compared for the trip
Read the guideWhere to stayCompare old town guesthouses with beach bases
Read the guideStone Town FAQ
Is Stone Town worth visiting?
Yes, for the carved doors, the old merchant houses and the evening food stalls at Forodhani on the harbor. Allow one or two days, then add beaches for a rest.
How many days do you need in Stone Town?
Two days covers the old town, the waterfront and a half-day tour. Add a third if you want Prison Island or a spice farm without rushing.
Is Stone Town safe to walk at night?
The seafront around Forodhani is busy in the evening. Stick to lit streets, and take a taxi back to hotels outside the old town after dark.
How do you get from Stone Town to the beaches?
By taxi, or by dala-dala minibus for a cheaper and slower trip. Ask your hotel for a fixed taxi price before you set off.
Can you visit the old slave market?
Yes. The Anglican cathedral was built on the former slave market site, and the old slave chambers can be seen there on a guided visit.