Travel to Stone Town, also known as Mji Mkongwe (an old town in Swahili). This historic main town of Unguja Island, the main island of the Zanzibar archipelago, is commonly referred to as Zanzibar. You will join a walking tour led by a knowledgeable guide, who will take you through the narrow streets of the 19th-century old town, which has remained largely unchanged and holds significant historical and artistic importance in East Africa. Stone Town is renowned for its winding alleys, bustling bazaars, sultan’s palace, mosques, House of Wonders, Portuguese fort and gardens, and extravagant merchants’ houses with ornate doors. The architecture, mostly dating back to the 19th century, reflects a unique blend of Arab, Persian, Indian, and European influences, making the town a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The tour will start with a visit to the Old Slave Market site and Anglican Church St Joseph’s Cathedral, followed by a stroll through the narrow streets towards the City Market. You will have the opportunity to marvel at the fresh produce and fruits and observe the local trade, including the lively fish auction.
Next, you will embark on a sightseeing tour of the main buildings in Stone Town, including the Palace Museum, the House of Wonders (Bait-al-ajab), the Old Fort, Tippu Tip’s House, Freddie Mercury’s House, the Peace Memorial and Natural History Museum, among other attractions.
St. Joseph Cathedral Church
The Anglican Cathedral of Christ Church was built in Stone Town (the old part of Zanzibar city) in the place where the biggest slave market in Eastern Africa operated. Its altar was placed exactly where the slaves for sale were whipped. On the floor, among the benches, there are black cobblestones as a remembrance of the dungeons used for slaves in the basement. Outside the Cathedral, there is a stone monument showing four people enchained by their necks as a way of reproducing how slaves were offered to buyers. Read more about the History of slavery in Zanzibar Tanzania
Go for a Shopping
The majority of the curio shops are located in Stone Town, where you can find gifts and trinkets. Taking the Stone Town tour is a great opportunity to buy items like fine arts, Zanzibar chests, and spices. It’s common for tourists to find good deals, with larger shops offering higher prices, while smaller shops have more affordable items. You can also find precious stone jewelry and other souvenirs in larger shops that represent the memories of Zanzibar.
One of the must-do activities in Zanzibar is simply walking around Stone Town, the old town of Zanzibar City, and the capital of the Zanzibar archipelago. You’ll enjoy visiting the little shops selling various items, including Maasai bracelets, jewelry, paintings, wooden carvings, and colorful spices. While many of these shops sell mass-produced items found all over Africa, you can still find unique and special items to take home as souvenirs.
The Forodhani Gardens
The Forodhani Gardens, also known as Jubilee Gardens and more recently as Forodhani Park, is a small park located in the historical city of Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania. The gardens are situated along the main Seawalk of Stone Town, just in front of the most famous buildings of Stone Town: the House of Wonders and the Old Fort. The Gardens come alive after dark as both tourists and locals flock to the vibrant food street market in the main square. Here, you can indulge in a delightful array of Swahili and Zanzibari cuisine, including tantalizing grilled seafood, mouthwatering samosas, hearty cassava, and delicious sweet potatoes. After the tour, you’ll be whisked back to your luxurious hotel in style!
