The Streets of Stone Town
Explore the historic center of the spice and slave trades, the fashion and cultural center of East Africa.
Stone Town, also known as Mji Mkongwe (Swahili for “old town”), is the older, historical part of Zanzibar City, the capital of Zanzibar. The newer area of the city is known as Ng’ambo (Swahili for “the other side”). Stone Town is located on the western coast of Unguja, the main island of the Zanzibar Archipelago. It was the capital of the Zanzibar Sultanate, and the center of the spice and slave trades in the late 18th to 19th centuries. In 1964, Tanganyika and Zanzibar joined each other to form the United Republic of Tanzania; Zanzibar retained a semi-autonomous status, with Stone Town as its capital.
The name “Stone Town” comes from the reddish coral stone that is used as a main construction material for its buildings. Stone Town features a diverse range of architectural styles mostly dating back to the 19th century, with Arab, Persian, Indian, and European elements. It is also known for its intricately carved, large, wooden doors. Stone Town was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
Stone Town’s main attractions are all within walking distance, and include former palaces of the sultans, fortresses, cathedrals, mosques, and an outdoor bazaar. Stone Town’s streets are mazelike and narrow; you’ll need to get around on foot, bikes, or motorbikes. A highlight is the Christ Church Cathedral and Slave Museum, built in 1887 to mark the end of the slave trade; its High Altar was constructed on the site of a whipping post. This monument is a sobering reminder about the impacts of the slave trade impacts on the region and beyond.
Stone Town is also a launching point for many regional attractions and island activities, including boat trips, Chumbe Island, spice tours, cultural tours, fishing trips and other adventures.
Stone Town is the center of Swahili culture. It hosts Swahili cultural events throughout the year, including the largest film festival in East Africa, the annual multi-disciplinary Zanzibar International Film Festival. The annual music festival, Sauti ya Busara, takes place inside Stone Town’s Old Fort and features musicians from Africa and beyond. Swahili culture is evident throughout the town, in the streets, historical buildings, and museums. Stone Town features excellent shopping and dining, and is considered the fashion mecca of East Africa. Designers like Kihaga and Mago have storefronts. There are also a lot of shops specializing in spices, seaweed products, organic cosmetics, and soaps, as well as traditional art and fabrics, carved doors, and furniture. We also suggest attending a soccer match; Zanzibaris are dedicated fans, and the stadium is 10 minutes away from the center of Stone Town.
If you’re into Queen, Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of the band, was born in Stone Town. The Freddie Mercury Museum opened in 2019 and is the world’s first museum dedicated entirely to the singer. The museum is located in the house where Mercury lived with his family before moving to England in 1963.
While in Stone Town, we recommend that you stay at Emerson Spice and dine at their Secret Garden restaurant. This romantic restaurant is situated in a walled garden with an atmosphere reminiscent of old Zanzibar. There are evening live music performances at Secret Garden every Wednesday and Friday. Dinner at Emerson Spice’s sister restaurant, Emerson Hurumzi’s Rooftop Tea House, is a great option for a longer meal. The five-course, seafood-based dinner is a modern take on Zanzibari cuisine. While dining at the Rooftop Tea House, watch and listen to the streets of Stone Town from above and on some evenings a live Taarab music performance. Taarab is a traditional type of Zanzibari music dating back to the 1880s. Arrive early to your dinner reservation in order to watch the sunset and listen to the calls to prayer from the many mosques around town. Emerson Spice is a restored former mansion of the last Swahili ruler of Zanzibar; its latticed balconies, unique rooms, and beautiful decor makes this a destination.
The Emerson Zanzibar Foundation, founded by the late owner of Emerson Spice and Emerson Hurumzi, has been instrumental in conserving and promoting the culture and art of Zanzibar. For those interesting in an in-depth musical experience, visit the Dhow Countries Music Academy which has regular concerts and music lessons. Dhow Countries Music Academy promotes the music of countries located on the Indian Ocean.
With its pleasant climate, Stone Town may be visited year-round.
