Zanzibar City

Getting there

By plane Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ IATA) is the only airport on the island and accessible by many domestic and international destinations.

By boat Boats to Stone Town can be boarded from Dar es Salaam or Pemba. For more information see the Zanzibar article.

By Dalladalla Most dalladalla leave from the Creek Road at the Darajani Market 1 . All have destinations signboards and numbers, what makes it quite easy to handle. Nungwi=116; Kiwenga=117; Matemwe=118; Chwaka=206; Uroa=214; Unguja Ukuu=308; Jambiani=309; Makunduchi=310; Bewejuu=324; Kizmkazi=326; Amani=501; Bububu=502; Airport(U/Ndege)=505

See

1 Old Fort. Adjacent to the House of Wonders, is a heavy stone fortress that was built in the 17th century by the Omani. It has a roughly square shape; the internal courtyard is now a cultural centre with shops, workshops, and a small arena where live dance and music shows are held daily. 2 Palace Museum (Former Sultan's Palace ("Beit el-Sahel" in Arabic​)). Another former sultan's palace, also on the seafront, to the north of the House of Wonders. It was built in late 19th century, and now hosts a museum about the daily life of the Zanzibari royal family, including items that belonged to Sayyida Salme, a former Zanzibar princess that fled to relocate in Europe with her husband 3 House of Wonders ("Palace of Wonders", also known as "Beit-al-Ajaib"), Mizingani Road on the seafront. (Closed since 2014 for renovation.) Probably the most well-known landmarks of Stone Town. It was built in 1883 and restored after the Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896. A former Sultan's residence, it became the seat of the Afro-Shirazi Party after the revolution. It was the first building in Zanzibar to have electricity and the first building in East Africa to have a lift. Since 2000, its interior has been dedicated to a museum on Swahili and Zanzibar culture. (updated Dec 2019) 4 Livingstone's House. A small palace that was built for Sultan Majid bin Said and later used by European missionaries. David Livingstone lived in the house while preparing his last expedition to the interior of Tanganyika. 5 Old Dispensary. Built from 1887 to 1894 to serve as a charity hospital for the poor, it was later used as a dispensary. It is one of the most finely decorated buildings of Stone Town, with large carved wooden balconies, stained-glass windows, and neo-classical stucco adornments. After falling into decay in the 1970s and 1980s, the building was accurately restored by the AKTC. 6 Anglican Cathedral. Purchased by missionaries, the church sits atop the world's last slave market. The altar is said to be built over the market's whipping post. US$3. 7 Malindi Mosque. Mosque built in the 1830s. It features some unusual architectural features including a cone-shaped minaret, one of just three minarets of this shape in East Africa. (updated Dec 2022) 8 Hamamni Persian Baths. A complex of public baths built at the end of the 19th century by Shirazi architects for Sultan Barghash bin Said. These baths are not open anymore but are open to visitors. Visits are limited to some areas of the original complex because part of it (e.g., the restaurant) has since been adapted for private residences 9 F

Do

Have dinner on the wharf near Blue's Restaurant in Stone Town. Every evening, for just a few dollars, you can sample local fish, food, drinks, and hear local music. 1 Tangawizi Bistro Cooking Classes (close to Hanafi Sunni mosque), ☏ +255 778883306. Take Swahili cuisine home. The owner, Shara, organizes cooking classes in the morning and afternoon at Tangawizi Bistro and at Dole spice farm close to Stone Town.

Buy

Mitus Spice Tour, Malindi Rd, ☏ +255 652581439, [email protected]. half-day tour. Offers lunch and tours. US$12-25 per person. Halai's, Hurumzi Street (Next to Emerson in Hurumzi Hotel), ☏ +255 717147199. A small shop in stone town with colourful textiles at fixed prices. A curio market can be found next to the Forodhani Gardens food market. Do not buy the first thing you see. First take a walk through the market, and you will see prices get progressively less. You must always haggle and bargain with the vendors or try to set the prices off against each other. This is their way of doing business and it also ensures that you get the best price.

Eat

Mercury's Restaurant (opposite the "Big Tree" and near the ferry port). This restaurant is named after Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of the band Queen, who was born in Stone Town. Queen's music is played often here. House of Spices, ☏ +255 242231264. US$8-15. Tatu. Downstairs is the restaurant featuring seafood, the second floor has a somewhat quiet bar, and there is a disco on the third floor. (updated Jan 2020) Beyt al Chai Restaurant. The Silk Route. Mtoni Marine Restaurant. Hurumzi, 236 Hurumzi Street in. Earlier known as Emerson and Green and later as Emerson's Tower Top Restaurant, is well worth a visit. Amazing food and sublime atmosphere. While dinner is quite expensive and has to be booked in advance, the rooftop view of the sunset punctuated by the sound of prayer calls is not to be missed. Kidude (near Hurumzi). Serves traditional Zanzibari cuisine at moderate prices Forodhani Gardens. It is a nightly affair by the water. You can purchase 'Zanzibari pizza' or get all sorts of grilled seafood and meat for less than US$1 per serving. Also available are banana and chocolate pancakes which are to die for (note: bring an extra bar of chocolate for them to add to your pancake.) Some consider the market to be overrated: the food quality can be mixed and there will be papasi or touts who may hassle you. The twilight atmosphere however makes for a nice setting to have a cheap meal. It is possibly the cheapest food you will find on the island, and value for money too. Ranging from crab claws, calamari steaks to plain old chips done in big woks. You are well advised to try the local sugar cane juice. Passing Show Restaurant (next to the Malindi Police Station just outside the harbor). A place where they have very decent local food, like pilau, and all sorts of stews. All the men go there in the evening to drink tea. Muslim place, so no alcohol.

Drink & nightlife

Mercury's Restaurant. A really nice bar which also serves a good variety of cocktails.

Tatu — see listing under Eat. Serena Hotel, Stone Town. Has a very nice restaurant with live music almost everyday. Beautiful view of the ocean and excellent, although expensive, food. Botanic Country Resort (Tunguu central region, 14 km from the Stone Town towards the East Coast behind the new Tanzanian Houses of Parliament.). Taarab Square and Kipepeo Grill and Pub/Beer Garden with discotheque on weekends, live music on public holidays including outdoor cinema and live sports events on giant screens. Beautiful Gardens, food is from traditional Swahili & Zanzibarian dishes to International Cuisine. Lukmaan. A small restaurant on the same road as the slave market does very affordable and delicious food. Point at what you want and you get it right away. The prices and convenient speed makes it a favourite for many lunchers. Africa House Ice cold beer and a huge balcony that overlooks the ocean - great at sunset. Taarab Square At the Botanic Country Resort, Tunguu Central Region offers reasonably priced spirits and drinks compared to most of the bars on the island. Live sports bars and the only outdoor cinema showing Indian, African and English movies, discotheque over weekends and live music on public holidays.

Sleep

The cheapest budget hotels start from US$14 for a dorm bed. normal budget hotel prices range TSh 45,000 to 90,000 and that's during the low season, where several hotels actually stay closed due to lack of customers. The quoted prices are after bargaining: low-season is a good time to do so and not having your bags with you when doing so, will also give you a boost. During high-season, hotels in Stonetown will often offer their rooms on multiple online platforms (Airbnb, booking.com, etc.) and double book rooms. Be aware that your room may be given away to someone else with no apology or care by the hotel owner. One way to avoid this is to ensure you pay in advance, or to book directly with the hotel and contact them confirming your arrival.

Budget Zanzibar Lodge (Njila guest house), Stone Town (250 m from Darajani market), ☏ +255 777458584. Check-in: any time, check-out: 10AM. The lodge has 4 rooms and can accommodate up to 8 people. single US$25, double US$40 (including breakfast) (2014). 1 Coco del mer. Nice and central hotel with mostly decent rooms. Ask for discount for about half price. There is also a restaurant downstairs. double US$60. Flamingo Guest House. A great budget place 10 minutes from the city centre. It is simple, clean and rooms with private bathrooms are a bit more expensive. The breakfast is quite nice and substantial including fruit, a loaf of bread, eggs, and coffee/tea. Single US$15, double $28, dorm $15 per person. Funguni Palace Hotel, Funguni Rd (near to Ferry), ☏ +255 777411842, [email protected]. 24 hrs. This hotel contains 11 rooms in Zanzibar traditional style inside. Some rooms have self-contained bathrooms and some use shared bathrooms. There are air conditioners in rooms. US$35. Pearl Guest House (in middle Stone Town, about 5 minutes walk east of the port and Mercury's Restaurant. If you're coming from the market, it is about 2 minutes walk east of the junction of Creek Road and Malindi Street). A simple budget guest house for backpackers. Don't expect much (common bathrooms, cold water shower and without breakfast) but the owner is friendly and it offers a very good value for money. Malindi Guest House Hotel, Funguni Rd (Near the ferry). Check-in: any time, check-out: 10AM. It's close to the Zanzibar Port (off Malindi Street) and near the fish market (but the smell isn't so bad). Known to double book rooms during high season. US$20 per person per night, $40 sharing with private bathroom.. Annex of Abdullah (south of Jaws Corner, (opposite white & green Mosque)). Very basic but very cheap single roo