Stone Town

By plane

• Old FortAdjacent to the House of Wonders, is a heavy stone fortress that was built in the 17th century by the Omani. It has a roughly square shape; the internal courtyard is now a cultural centre with shops, workshops, and a small arena where live dance and music shows are held daily.

• Palace MuseumAnother former sultan's palace, also located on the seafront, to the north of the House of Wonders. It was built in late 19th century, and now hosts a museum about the daily life of the Zanzibari royal family, including items that belonged to Sayyida Salme, a former Zanzibar princess that fled to relocate in Europe with her husband

• House of Wonders

  address: Mizingani Road on the seafront
  Probably the most well-known landmarks of Stone Town. It was built in 1883 and restored after the Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896. A former Sultan's residence, it became the seat of the Afro-Shirazi Party after the revolution. It was the first building in Zanzibar to have electricity and the first building in East Africa to have a lift. Since 2000, its interior has been dedicated to a museum on Swahili and Zanzibar culture.

• Livingstone's HouseA small palace that was built for Sultan Majid bin Said and later used by European missionaries. David Livingstone lived in the house while preparing his last expedition to the interior of Tanganyika.

• Old DispensaryBuilt from 1887 to 1894 to serve as a charity hospital for the poor, it was later used as a dispensary. It is one of the most finely decorated buildings of Stone Town, with large carved wooden balconies, stained-glass windows, and neo-classical stucco adornments. After falling into decay in the 1970s and 1980s, the building was accurately restored by the AKTC.

• Anglican CathedralPurchased by missionaries, the church sits atop the world's last slave market. The altar is said to be built over the market's whipping post.

• Hamamni Persian BathsA complex of public baths built at the end of the 19th century by Shirazi architects for Sultan Barghash bin Said. These baths are not open anymore but are open to visitors. Visits are limited to some areas of the original complex because part of it (e.g., the restaurant) has since been adapted for private residences

• Forodhani GardensA small park located in the main seawalk of Stone Town, right in front of the Old Fort and the House of Wonders. They have been restored by the AKTC. Every evening after sunset the gardens host a popular, tourist-oriented market selling grilled seafood and other Zanzibari recipes.

• MercuryNear the port, is dedicated to Freddie Mercury who was born on the island. The only interesting thing in the place is the atmosphere and the nice view over the harbor and bay skip the food unless you're in for a stomach ache.

• There are a number of historically important (and frankly, just plain beautiful) buildings in Stone Town, like The House of Wonders and The Arab Fort. It is easy to arrange a simple walking tour with a local guide who can teach you some history.
• The market in Stone Town is one of the largest, most vibrant open-air markets anywhere. Here, you can find several varieties of bananas, "elephant garlic" unique to the island, the largest avocados you'll probably ever see, and more. Prices are extremely reasonable. Even if you have no intentions of purchasing food, the spectacle alone is worth a visit.
• Visit Slave Market, the site of the old Slave Market is quite an experience. Go into the holding chambers to see how this wretched piece of history played itself out in small dark dungeon-type cells. Priced at US$5 (May 2018), it's well worth it.

• Roam around Stone Town appreciating the Historical buildings
• Be certain to have dinner on the wharf near Blue's Restaurant in Stone Town. Every evening, for just a few dollars, you can sample local fish, food, drinks, and hear local music.
• Visit Forodhani Gardens If you are not scared of local food, then this place is definitely worth a visit. It is possibly the cheapest food you will find on the island, and value for money too. Ranging from crab claws, calamari steaks to plain old chips done in big woks. You are well advised to try the local sugar cane juice. The curio market can be found next to the food market. Do not buy the first thing you see. First take a walk through the market, and you will see prices get progressively less. You must always haggle and bargain with the vendors or try to set the prices off against each other. This is their way of doing business and it also ensures that you get the best price.

• Tangawizi Bistro Cooking Classes

  phone: +255 778883306
  Take Swahili cuisine home. The owner, Shara, organizes cooking classes in the morning and afternoon at Tangawizi Bistro and at Dole spice farm close to Stone Town.

• Mitus Spice Tour

  phone: +255 652581439
  address: Malindi Rd
  Offers lunch and tours.

• Halai's

  phone: +255 717147199
  address: Hurumzi Street
  A small shop in stone town with colorful textiles at fixed prices.

• Mercury's RestaurantThis restaurant's name and theme are dedicated to Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of the band Queen, who was born in Stone Town.

• House of Spices

  phone: +255 242231264

• Tatu

• Beyt al Chai Restaurant

• The Silk Route

• Mtoni Marine Restaurant

• Hurumzi

  address: 236 Hurumzi Street in
  Earlier known as Emerson and Green and later as Emerson's Tower Top Restaurant, is well worth a visit. Amazing food and sublime atmosphere. While dinner is quite expensive and has to be booked in advance, the rooftop view of the sunset punctuated by the sound of prayer calls is not to be missed.

• KidudeServes traditional Zanzibari cuisine at moderate prices

• Forodhani GardensIs a nightly affair by the water. You can purchase 'Zanzibari pizza' or get all sorts of grilled seafood and meat for less than US$1 per serving. Also available are banana and chocolate pancakes which are to die for (Note: bring an extra bar of chocolate for them to add to your pancake) Some consider the market to be overrated -- the food quality can be mixed and there will be papasi or touts who may hassle you. The twilight atmosphere however makes for a nice setting to have a cheap meal.

• Amore MioOn Shangani Street, serves good Italian gelati ice cream, pizzas and pasta.

• Monsoon RestaurantJust to the west of the Tunnel at the edge of the harbour and the southern corner of Forodhani Gardens.

• Passing Show RestaurantA place where they have very decent local food, like pilau, and all sorts of stews. All the men go there in the evening to drink tea. Muslim place, so no alcohol.

Mercury's RestaurantA really nice bar which also serves a good variety of cocktails

Tatu

• Serena Hotel

  address: Stone Town
  Has a very nice restaurant with live music almost everyday. Beautiful view of the ocean and excellent, although expensive, food.

• Botanic Country ResortTaarab Square and Kipepeo Grill and Pub/Beer Garden with discotheque on weekends, live music on public holidays including outdoor cinema and live sports events on giant screens. Beautiful Gardens, food is from traditional Swahili & Zanzibarian dishes to International Cuisine.

• LukmaanA small restaurant on the same road as the slave market does very affordable and delicious food. Point at what you want and you get it right away. The prices and convenient speed makes it a favourite for many lunchers.

• Africa House Ice cold beer and a huge balcony that overlooks the ocean - great at sunset.
• Taarab Square At the Botanic Country Resort, Tunguu Central Region offers reasonably priced spirits and drinks compared to most of the bars on the island. Live sports bars and the only outdoor cinema showing Indian, African and English movies, discotheque over weekends and live music on public holidays.

Budget

• Zanzibar Lodge( Njila guest house)

  phone: +255 777458584
  address: Stone Town
  The lodge has 4 rooms and can accommodate up to 8 people.

• Coco del merNice and central hotel with mostly decent rooms. Ask for discount for about half price. There is also a restaurant downstairs.

• Flamingo Guest HouseA great budget place 10 minutes from the city centre. It is simple, clean and rooms with private bathrooms are a bit more expensive. The breakfast is quite nice and substantial including fruit, a loaf of bread, eggs, and coffee/tea

• Funguni Palace Hotel

  phone: +255 777411842
  address: Funguni Rd
  This hotel contains 11 rooms in Zanzibar traditional style inside. Some rooms have self-contained bathrooms and some use shared bathrooms. There are air conditioners in rooms.

• Pearl Guest HouseA simple budget guest house for backpackers. Don't expect much (common bathrooms, cold water shower and without breakfast) but the owner is friendly and it offers a very good value for money.

• Malindi Guest House Hotel

  address: Funguni Rd
  It's close to the Zanzibar Port (off Malindi Street) and near the fish market (but the smell isn't so bad).

• Annex of AbdullahVery basic but very cheap single rooms with shared bathrooms. Basic breakfast incl. A really decent find for the budget traveller.

• Jambo Guest HouseSimple, but nice and clean rooms with fans and shared bathrooms and a great breakfast with lots of fresh fruit make this a welcoming place that is famous with backpackers and fills up quickly. The staff is a bit disorganized, but generally friendly. Has free Wi-Fi.

• River Man HotelA cheapy, but some of rooms are really big and bright. Rooms area clean and have fans and shared bathrooms. Breakfast can be organized on request. It's next to a mosque and a busy walking street, so check which room your getting if that’s an issue for you.

• Manch Lodge

  phone: +255 24-2231918
  address: Vuga road Stone town
  A nice clean dorm with free Wi-Fi and free breakfast; also has double rooms.

• Zanzibar Dormitory Lodge

  address: Hurumzi Street Stonetown
  Bed and breakfast.

Mid-range

• Dhow Palace HotelSlow internet connection (Wifi) available.

• Chavda Hotel is in the middle of Stone Town, 15 min by foot from the Harbour (or TSh 1,000 by taxi). Rooms are nice but without luxury. Double beds, 2 single or 3 single beds are available, all with air conditioning and mosquito drapes. Breakfast is small (it's better to eat around the corner) but the cheap hotel is on the roof of the hotel and offers nice views of Stone Town. Rate for a room with double bed US$90 incl. breakfast and taxes (10% charge when you pay by credit card).

• Kisiwa House

  address: Baghani St
  In a nicely restored building. Big rooms, though only the more expensive ones has view of the ocean -- the cheaper rooms only have view to the street.

• Kholle House

  phone: +255 779779898200
  address: Malindi 607/608
  Kholle House is a unique and historical hotel in the heart of Stonetown. All of its 10 rooms are different and special with Ensuite bathrooms, AC and fan. Build in 1860 by Princess Kholle, daughter of the first Sultan of Zanzibar is now one of the most authentic places in Stonetown. Enjoy the à la carte breakfast and the swimming pool by the garden, and do not miss the stunning 360° views from the terrace!

• Island View HotelA great option for budget travelers. Rooms have a TV with many channels, clean washrooms, a telephone and the option of air-conditioning. Staff are very friendly and helpful!

Splurge

• Africa House HotelA historical building dating back to the first generation of old Arab houses at Shangani waterfont in Stone Town. Around 1900, it became the English Club for members of the British navy officers. In 1964 the club was taken over by the Tanzanian government. The building was privatised in the 1990s and offers hotel accommodation, the Sunset Bar (a popular meeting place for sundowners), a restaurant, a library and an Arabic shisha smoking lounge.

Uncategorized

• Tembo House Hotel

• Clove Hotel Zanzibar

  phone: +255 777-484567
  A Dutch-owned hotel

• Serena Inn

• Manch Lodge ZanzibarCheap place to stay with big dorm. Breakfast included. Watch out your stuff when you put it in the luggage room (lock it) - there are trousers disappearing on a regular base.

• Zanzibar HotelIt was the first hotel on Zanzibar island.

• Bottoms Up!, an eclectic, unusual hostel in the heart of Stone Town.

Outside Stonetown

• Furaha Resort

  phone: +255 772279353
  7 km from Stone Town the way to north of Island, with a nice rooms,sunset view restaurant. Rates quoted above are on per room per night and on bed and breakfast basis. Children below 6 years old will be allowed free if no extra bed is needed. Extra bed US$20 per night. Facilities: swimming pool, en suite bathroom, AC, hot water, ceiling fan, pool garden view rooms offer cable TV and mini bar.

• Pongwe Beach HotelA small hotel on the eastern side of the island. It is ideal for those looking for a relaxed and secluded "paradise island" experience. The food here is also excellent with half-board and bed & breakfast options available. Most rooms have sea views, some have their own splash-pools.

• Botanic Country House located in Tunguu, central region (behind the new Tanzanian House of Parliament) is a great option for budget travellers who have had enough of the beach. A night for two people goes for US$40/night which includes a tasty breakfast. Nights are cool and it is a mosquito-free environment in the countryside of Zanzibar.

• Dhow Inn

  phone: +255 777525828
  address: Paje Beach
  This quiet, comfortable and atmospheric hotel is small and intimate with only 6 rooms. Well equipped rooms, stylish swimming pool, free wifi, attentive staff and the hotel is active with various local NGOs. No small children.

• Tamarind Beach Hotel

  phone: +255 777411191
  address: Uroa Village, East Coast
  Bungalow hotel by the Indian Ocean on the east coast of Zanzibar.

• Fontaine Garden Village

  phone: +255 713419451, +255 714902618
  address: Stone Town
  Offers 11 bungalows, some en-suite, some shared facilities. There is also a house that sleeps 5. 20-seat restaurant. 100 m from the beach. 45 minutes from Stonetown.

• Ras Michamvi Beach Resort

  phone: +255 24 22 31 081
  address: Michamvi
  A peaceful hotel on the northern end of the southern East Coast of Zanzibar. All 15 rooms are overlooking the Indian Ocean, with powder-white sand.

• The Zanzibari

  phone: +255 774-323318
  address: Nungwi
  A beachfront boutique hotel with 8 rooms. An adjoining bar and restaurant is crafted out of a traditional wooden boat.

• Teddy´s Place

  phone: +255 773 096 306
  address: Paje
  Backpacker style accommodation. Zanzibari food, and bar.

• Mustapha´s Place

  phone: +255 774 366 841
  address: Bwejuu
  Mustapha's is popular with backpackers, volunteers and families and offers rustic accommodation and reliable food about 2 minutes form Bwejuu beach

• Milele Villas

  phone: +255 773-828026
  address: Fukuchani
  Environmental friendly and self-sufficient set of villas located on the North-Eastern tip of Zanzibar. Sleeps from 2-12 people, and includes facilities such as an infinity swimming pool, sea-view and volleyball court.

• White Beach Hotel Zanzibar

  phone: +255 772279353
  address: Bwejuu
  This hotel contains 6 bungalows along the beach.