About this Stone Town walking tour
Stone Town is the historic heart of Zanzibar City and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Its coral-stone houses, carved wooden doors and narrow lanes show centuries of Swahili, Omani, Indian and European influence, and the alleys are easy to get lost in without someone who knows them.
Your guide walks at your pace, explains what you are looking at, and takes you to the places that tell the town's story, including the memorial at the site of Zanzibar's last open slave market.
Highlights
- The carved doors of Shangani and Kiponda, and what their designs signal
- The Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe) and the Forodhani waterfront
- The Anglican Cathedral and slave trade memorial, on the site of the market closed in 1873
- Darajani Market: spices, fish and fruit as locals buy them
Stone Town walking tour itinerary
Timings are a guide.
- StartMeet your guide in your Stone Town hotel lobby, or at the drop-off point if you are transferring from another area.
- 15 minForodhani Gardens and the seafront. View the Old Fort and the House of Wonders (exterior only while it is under restoration).
- 45 minInside the Old Fort courtyard, then into the lanes of Shangani to look at carved doors, balconies and small neighbourhood mosques.
- 1 hr 30Anglican Cathedral and the East Africa slave trade exhibition. Time inside depends on whether tickets are included in your option.
- 2 hr 15Darajani Market and the spice stalls.
- EndFinish at Darajani or walk back to your hotel. Transfer guests are driven back.
Your private options
Private walk
Your own guide, at your pace. Start time to suit you.
Private walk with entries
Cathedral and exhibition tickets arranged in advance.
Walk and lunch
Add lunch at a rooftop restaurant.
All our Zanzibar activities are private: only your group takes part. Upgrades are quoted on request.
Transfer from your hotel
The tour price above does not depend on where you stay. Getting to the start is priced separately, per vehicle for up to 6 guests, return. If you stay near the start, pickup is included.
| Your hotel area | Trip starts at | Return transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Town & airportStone Town, Shangani, Mbweni, airport area | Stone Town | Included |
| West coastFumba, Chukwani, Bububu, Mtoni | Stone Town | $90 |
| South-east coastPaje, Jambiani, Bwejuu, Michamvi, Dongwe | Stone Town | $110 |
| North coastNungwi, Kendwa | Stone Town | $130 |
| North-east coastMatemwe, Kiwengwa, Pwani Mchangani, Pongwe | Stone Town | $120 |
| South tipKizimkazi, Makunduchi | Stone Town | $130 |
Not sure of your area? Tell us your hotel name and we confirm the price. See all transfer prices.
What's included
- Licensed local guide
- Bottled water
- Walking route as described
- Pickup from hotels in the Stone Town & airport area
Not included
- Transfer from other areas (see transfer prices below)
- Cathedral and exhibition tickets (included only in the 'with entries' option)
- Lunch, drinks and personal purchases
- Tips
Add-ons
- Hotel transfer by zone
- Cathedral and exhibition tickets
- Lunch at a rooftop restaurant
- Guide in another language (subject to availability)
Children and groups
Suitable for children who can walk two to three hours. Lanes are narrow and uneven, so a baby carrier works better than a pushchair. Group rates are available for six or more travellers.
Booking and cancellation
Send us your date, number of travellers and hotel. We confirm availability and the full price in USD before you pay. Changes and cancellations follow our booking terms. If weather or sea conditions make a trip unsafe, we reschedule or refund it.
Stone Town walking tour FAQs
What should I wear?
Stone Town is a mostly Muslim community. Shoulders and knees covered is respectful for everyone, and comfortable shoes help on the uneven stone lanes.
Can we go inside the House of Wonders?
It has been closed for restoration since part of the building collapsed in 2020. We show it from the outside and confirm the current status when you book.
Can I combine this with Prison Island?
Yes. The Stone Town, Prison Island and Nakupenda day is one of our combination tours.
Make it a full day
This trip is part of our Stone Town, Prison Island & Nakupenda Day.