Is the Stone Town Worth it? : If you’re looking for a place to relax, Zanzibar is such an incredible destination worth ticking off on your bucket list. This idyllic island is well-known for its classic white sand beaches, spices, and remarkable history. It’s a perfect spot to relax after your safari in the Serengeti or after conquering Kilimanjaro.
Besides the pristine beaches, Zanzibar has Stone Town, a medieval town still active today. This mysterious town has an out-of-the-way architectural mix of the Portuguese, Arabs, Persians, and Swahili. The architectural style is still appealing and puzzling to many and has been a subject of interest for many.
Many tourists come to Zanzibar to relax on gorgeous beaches. Some might think that walking around the Stone Town is of no importance. And that’s probably why you are asking yourself: Is the Stone Town worth it? Yes, it’s worth it. The Stone Town is undoubtedly a UNESCO World Heritage Site for harboring unique and fabric buildings carrying its rich cultural heritage.
What to do in the Stone Town?
Explore the architectural design.
In Stone Town, everything you see has a historical significance. Hotels have adopted the display of ancient Arabic or Indian buildings. The good one is Dhow Palace, a 150-year-old building built and owned by a wealthy Arab merchant family that was later converted into a hotel. This beautiful building was converted into a hotel. But it still has exceptional Omani, Swahili, and Indian antiques. They are in the coral-built walls, furniture, and doors.
Doors
Doors are designed to carry specific messages for tourists. You can see Omani and Indian influences on the doors, and that would imply who lived there. They would put spices on the door if a spice merchant once lived there or tea if a tea merchant once lived there. And more interesting are the spikes on the door. They have an incredible history in India. If the door has spikes, it means an Indian once lived there.
At the time this building was built, there were wars in India. Elephants were used to break doors. Indians used spikes to protect their doors from being kicked by elephants. This antique was brought to Stone Town, even though elephants do not exist here. That’s so amazing. There are many other hotels in the Stone with stunning ancient designs.
Besides hotels, there are more stunning buildings worth a visit in Stone Town. You don’t want to miss the childhood home of the legendary musician Freddie Mercury. He was a lead singer in the 1970s band Queen. His home is an enchanting place to learn a lot about the past.
Discover stunning paintings.
As you walk through the streets or markets of this old living town, you can see stunning paintings of sunset dhow boats and other depictions. The Tinga Tinga paintings stand out. They usually have small dots and caricatures of elephants, animals, and the people of Tanzania and Zanzibar. You can find art and paintings throughout Zanzibar.
Eat like a local at Forodhani Gardens.
Nothing feels like surrounding yourself with locals and other visitors in a local café to taste the delicious foods. There are plenty of cafes to eat from, but make sure you choose the best one for your stomach. Some of the recommended choices are Traveller’s Café and Ginger Beer.
Forodhani Gardens is a market where you can buy seafood and other kinds of food. The fragrant smell of spices adds flavor to local food. Common foods include shawarma, Zanzibar pizza, Urojo, juisi ya miwa (sugarcane juice), etc. The busy nature of the area means something to the hustle and bustle of the people of Zanzibar. It’s worth trying.
Walk in the street with a guide.
Most interesting buildings are within your reach. To enjoy them much, we suggest you hire a local guide. This walk takes about 3 hours, and of course, you have a lot to enjoy. Labyrinthine streets with their intricately carved wooden doors and ornate balconies will take you back in time. They are both incredible and photogenic. The Old Fort is a massive, spectacular stone structure that bears witness to Zanzibar’s rich past. It was constructed in the seventeenth century after the Arabs beat the Portuguese.

The Mtoni Palace Ruins remind you of the former rulers of Zanzibar. Besides its history, this place hosts two traditional performances a week; on Tuesdays and Fridays. The guide can walk you into the Darajani Market. Here, vendors sell spices, fresh meat, fruits, and vegetables. This market is busy in the afternoons and evenings. If you want a quieter setting, visit it in the early morning.
You can walk to the Darajani Market. Here, vendors sell spices, fresh meat, fruits, and vegetables. This market is busy in the afternoons and evenings. If you want a quieter setting, visit it in the early morning.
The Stone Town is amazing, something to lose yourself in the middle of the old architecture. Experts recommend spending a full day in the busy streets. You can also stay there for 2 or 3 days, including a calming beach stay. If you’re going to Zanzibar, don’t miss out on this stunning old town.