Stone Town

It may not have a particularly romantic name, but Stone Town is the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar, little changed in the last 200 years. It is a place of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and grand Arab houses whose original owners vied with each other over the extravagance of their dwellings. This one-upmanship is particularly reflected in the brass-studded, carved, wooden doors - there are more than 500 different examples of this handiwork. You can spend many idle hours and days just wandering through the fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways.

Most of the houses that can be seen today were built in the 19th century when Zanzibar was one of the most important trading centres in the Indian Ocean region.

Places of Interest

There are numerous places of interest to visit including The Old Dispensary, Dr Livingstone’s House, The Peace Memorial Museum, The Arab Fort and much more. With Zanzibar known as the 'Spice Islands', it's little surprise that spices play an important role in the cuisine here. With African, Arab, Goan, Indian and Chinese influences, traditional food is truly a fusion experience. Most restaurants feature spices in their menus although there are also Italian, Thai and other international establishments for those looking for something a little closer to home!

Hotels

There are a number of places to stay in Stone Town, each unique and with their own characteristics. The Serena Inn Zanzibar is a popular place for visitors to stay but there are plenty of other options which we would be happy to discuss with you. Although it is possible to visit Stone Town on a day trip from the resorts of the North coast and East coast of the island, staying a night or two in Stone Town will give you the opportunity to explore this timeless place.

If you would like to discuss your visit to Stone Town, please call 0208 816 8789 or email using the 'Contact Us' form and we'll get back to you.