Old Fort, Stone Town

Culinary & nightlife

Take a walking tour of Stone Town, visit an organic spice farm, and explore the historic Prison Island all in one day on a full-day, guided tour of Zanzibar. Meander through a labyrinth of chaotic alleyways between towering limestone houses, and interact with Aldabra tortoises. Start your day with a walking tour of Stone Town, the oldest part of Zanzibar City. Relive the grander age of this port city as you stroll through the twisting streets and look at former palaces, Sultan’s Palace, and Arab mansions. Get an insight into the tragic history of slave trading. After your walking tour, drive to the plantation and learn why Zanzibar is known as “Spice Island”. Smell, touch, and even taste some of the crops grown on this Island and find out what the spices were originally used for. Finally, take a boat ride offshore to Prison Island, home to large land tortoises that were imported from Seychelles. Get to touch and feed these creatures living in a sanctuary. Also, learn about the island’s historic use as a prison for rebellious slaves in the 1860s.

Begin your private tour in Stone Town, a city of prominent historical and artistic importance in East Africa. Its architecture, mostly dating back to the 19th century, reflects the diverse influences underlying Swahili culture, giving a unique mixture of Arab, Persian, Indian and European elements. For this reason, the town was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Start by exploring the Old Slave Market site and Anglican Church, before strolling through the narrow streets towards the City Market. Marvel at the fresh products and fruits and watch how locals buy and sell anything here. Observe the hustle and bustle of the fish auction. After this, take a sightseeing tour of the main buildings in Stone Town including the Palace Museum and the House of Wonder, which is the largest and tallest building in the town, also known as Bait-al-ajab. Continue on to see the Old Fort, Tippu Tip, and of course, the most famous, Freddie Mercury’s House. Also visit the Peace Memorial and Natural History Museum, amongst other attractions.  Next, learn about one of the main industries in the region: spices. Discover how the islands produce cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper. For this reason, the Zanzibar Archipelago, together with Tanzania's Mafia Island, is sometimes called the "Spice Islands". There are many spice farms in Zanzibar and for the next portion of the tour, you will visit a real organic spice farm. When you arrive, the spice farm guide will describe how the spices are grown and used as medication and flavor in dishes. See spices like vanilla, cardamom, nutmeg, and many more. It will be possible to touch, smell and taste the spices and herbs directly from plants. Later, take the opportunity to join a cassava leaf harvest, make coconut milk, and practice some cooking. Even more, a coconut tree climber will pick some fresh young coconut fruits for you to try. End the trip with lunch at the spice farm and the opportunity to purchase spices from the shop (cash only).

This is a half a day trip where you can visit a historical street constructed from coral stone during the 19th and 20th century. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000. Stone Town is a very lively place where you’ll find a combination of Arabic, African, Indian and European cultures living happily together. As you walk through the labyrinth of streets too narrow for cars to pass, you can see mosques, churches and temples side to side. While you wonder around the city, your guide will take you on a historical and cultural journey through the old slave market, the House of Wonders, the Old Fort, Sultan’s Palace , Darajani market place and Forodhani Gardens . Afterwards we will take a boat from the shores of Stone Town, setting down anchor 5 km away, on the beautiful beach of Prison Island. The prison – which is now owned by a hotel – was built in 1893 and was originally intended to house violent prisoners from the mainland and sick people. You will get the opportunity to visit the tortoise sanctuary, which contains a large colony of giant tortoise imported from the Seychelles in the late 19th century. The average weight of these creatures is 200 kg, and many of them are said to be over 150 years old. There will be a chance to touch the tortoise and take photos. The island is also a home to a colony of beautiful peacocks. For the rest of the trip, you can either enjoy the marine life as you snorkel around the coral that fringes Prison Island or just relax under the warm glow of the sun, until you head back to Stone Town.

Stone town is famously known for its prominent historical and artistic importance from Eastern to Central Africa. Its history mostly dates back to 7th century with defused culture and its architecture where the world explorers met up. Enjoy walking in the World heritage site of Zanzibar’s ancient town. You will visit different historical sites, the bustling market, the House of Wonders, the Palace Museum, and the site of the former slave market at the Anglican Cathedral Church. Discover Zanzibar City’s UNESCO-listed historic center on a Stone Town walking tour that explores Zanzibar’s history and distinctive architecture, from a bustling local market to a Sultan’s palace-turned-museum. Sightseeing on foot means you can leave cars behind while following Stone Town’s most narrow, winding streets, and group size is limited to 10 people for personalized service from the guide.

This atmospheric and mystical town is the cultural and historical heart of Zanzibar. This is a half a day trip where you can visit a historical street constructed from coral stone during the 19th and 20th century. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000. Stone Town is a very lively place where you’ll find a combination of Arabic, African, Indian and European cultures living happily together. As you walk through the labyrinth of streets too narrow for cars to pass, you can see mosques, churches and temples side to side. While you wonder around the city, your guide will take you on a historical and cultural journey through the old slave market, the House of Wonders, the Old Fort, Sultan’s Palace and the Darajani market place. Also, it will include a lunch in a restaurant or in a local house, as agreed before. Forodhani Gardens is also recommended to visit, especially at night when it comes alive as one of the best street food markets in East Africa.

Get ready for a fascinating journey through Stone Town, Zanzibar, where you'll discover the town's geography, history, architecture, and culture. As you stroll through its narrow streets, you'll find more than 2000 limestone buildings. These streets cover an area the size of 14 football fields, and around 18,000 people live in the neighborhoods. Stone Town is like a mix of different cultures, including African, Arab, Indian, Persian, and European influences. Because it's so special, it's been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. A Melting Pot of Cultures: Zanzibar and Stone Town are like a big blend of cultures. During your adventure, you'll visit places like the Anglican Cathedral (which used to be a slave market), the House of Wonders (now a national museum under renovation), the Palace museum, the Old Fort, Darajani market, Hamamni Bath's street, Catholic Cathedral, Jaw's corner; Freddy Mercury's house, and you'll also experience the bustling streets, the lively market where people drink coffee, and the beautiful doors of Zanzibar. You'll see why Stone Town deserves to be called a World Heritage Site. Don't forget to explore the bazaar shops zone where local people shop for their everyday needs and a colorful market street. Custom-Made Experience: No matter if you're into history, culture, architecture, or shopping, our guides can adjust the tour to match your interests. They'll share stories, some funny and some sad, about how people lived and what the culture was like in old Stone Town. And when the tour ends, our guide will make sure you safely return to where you started the tour or where you first met. This tour is a delightful dive into Stone Town's rich diversity, where history and culture come together, waiting to be discovered and appreciated!

Transportation if a booking of 1, 2, 3 ,4 pax Transport not including you will have to pay additional taxi fee but if a booking of 5... pax transport is including and l will follow you at hotel no need to come to the meeting point Discover Stone Town, the old part of Zanzibar City, through the eyes of a local guide. Learn about the spice island's history and see Freddie Mercury's childhood home, the Old Dispensary, Old Fort, and more. During the walking tour, meet locals and discover the best places to visit. After hotel pickup, follow your guide through the alleyways of Stone Town. Take in different historical landmarks and discover how the town has changed over time. See the Anglican Cathedral Church, House of Wonders, and Freddie Mercury's home. Learn about slavery at the Slave Chambers. Take in the majestic Sultan's Palace, now the People's Palace Museum. Meet locals in Darajani or Stella Market. See the landmark big tree near the Old Dispensary. Marvel at the Old Fort and learn about its Portuguese and Omani history. Take your time exploring the maze of alleyways with your guide.

The tour will start in one of the most important parts of the old slave market site, the Anglican Church, then continue through the narrow streets. The next stop will be at city market. Here you can see the biggest market of all the islands. Locals buy and sell all sorts of products here, including the freshest fruits and fish auctions where locals bid on sea food. Afterward the tour will cover the main sights of Stown Town, such as the Palace Museum, House of Wonder, which is the largest and tallest building in Stown Town and also known as the Bait-al-ajab. Visit an old fort, the Tippu Tip and of course the most famous spot, Freddie’s Mercury’s house. Visit the Peace Memorial, Natural History Museum and many more. Your tour will end with local lunch in a cozy restaurant.

Stonetown is a unique and historically rich city located on the island of Zanzibar. When visitors come to Stonetown, they can expect to experience a vibrant mix of cultures and traditions that have been shaped by centuries of trade and migration. One of the highlights of the tour is exploring the winding streets of Stonetown's historic centre, which is a unesco World Heritage Site. Visitors can expect to see beautifully preserved buildings that showcase a blend of African, Arab, Indian, and European architectural styles. Another must-see attraction is the iconic Zanzibar doors, which are intricately carved wooden doors found throughout the city. These doors are a testament to Stonetown's rich cultural heritage and serve as a reminder of its past as a major trading hub. Visitors can also look forward to visiting The Freddie Mercury Museum in Zanzibar Visitors to the museum will have the opportunity to see a collection of personal items, photographs, and memorabilia belonging to Freddie Mercury, including his stage costumes, instruments, and personal letters. The museum also features a replica of Mercury's famous "Magic Tour" stage set-up, as well as an interactive experience where visitors can sing along to Queen's classic songs. Additionally, the museum provides insight into Zanzibar's history and culture, offering visitors a glimpse into the island's rich heritage and the influence it had on Mercury's music. Overall, the Freddie Mercury Museum is a must-visit for fans of the musician and anyone interested in learning more about his life and impact on the world of music. Overall, visitors to Stonetown can expect to experience a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Through a local guide, discover the beauty of Stone Town, the oldest city in Zanzibar. Take in the different historical landmarks and discover how the town has changed over time. This tour is mainly done as a walking tour and with this, you will meet the locals and find the best places to visit. From the ancient buildings to the busy markets and even learn a little about the slavery which went on back in the day.