Stone Town Tour

Zanzibar Stone Town Tour

Stone Town, also known as MjiMkongwa (old town in Swahili), is the mythical capital of Unguja Island, the main island of the Zanzibar archipelago, and the name given to the island by locals. Zanzibar conjures up images of fine white sands, the sun reflecting off the sparkling Indian Ocean, crystal-clear waters, sweet-smelling spices, coconut palms, and a cool breeze. While all of this is obvious, if you’re planning a trip to Zanzibar, make sure you take a break from the pool for an evening, a day, or even a few evenings to explore the wonders of Stone Town!

Darajani is a fantastic place to start any visit to the city. This clamorous, occupied, and wild commercial center sits on the outskirts of the old town, where men on creaky bicycles weave between bins hurling papayas or pineapples, shriveled old bibis (older women) in splendidly shaded dresses deal over onions and chillis, and youngsters wait at traffic intersections, talking, or invigorating themselves with new coconut water, straight from the nut! This is an excellent place to stock up on spices, which are less expensive here than in more touristy shops.

Those with more daring tendencies should go to Suma street, which is located across the street from Darajani and on the other side of the hurling daladala (transport) terminal.
Textures of all kinds can be found on this street, from simple cotton kangas to heavy waxed kitenge, sequined chiffon moves, and strong creature print wraps.

Going into the big city right now is simply the best time to get lost in the old town’s labyrinth-like back streets and crisscrossing asphalts. Along the way, you’ll pass roadside vendors selling kaskata (a nut candy), mandazi (cardamom-seasoned semi-sweet doughnuts), and delectable sambusa (Swahili for samosa). Open shopfronts reveal endless tailoring inside, and snickering children will run past you and disappear around the bend.

There are also numerous trinket shops, the majority of which sell beaded adornments, wooden carvings, and stylized wildlife life or Masai works of art, as well as some which sell genuine and fascinating collectibles. This is your chance to try your hand at some appropriate dealing!
During your tour, you may find yourself at Jaws Corner, where Zanzibaris congregate to play dominoes or bao (a perplexing and challenging nearby game), trade news, and possibly drink spiced coffee or fresh tangawizi, also known as ginger tea. If you find yourself here late at night or early in the evening, try to get some grilled octopus from one of the roadside vendors! Simply walk up to the table, select a spotless mixed drink stick, and nibble on whatever reduced-down pieces appeal to you. To go with it, there’s usually some stew salt and sauce. Simply keep track of the number of pieces you have so that when you’re finished, you can tell the dealer and he’ll tell you how much you owe. Depending on the size, it costs around 100–250 tshillings per piece.

The House of Wonders, the Old Fort, Freddie Mercury’s House, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, the Hamamni Persian Baths, Jaws Corner, the Abeid Curio Shop, and the Zanzibar Cultural Arts Center are among the best things to do in Stone Town.

In Stone Town, visit historical sites.

There are numerous interesting places to visit, each with its own meaning. You will be taken to Beit-el-Ajaab, a place of wonders, with your guide. It was rebuilt in 1883 and is now known as the National Museum of Zanzibar. Additionally, the Arab fort, also known as an old fort, will lead you to the Feddie Mercury house, the old slave market, various trinket ships, including the recollections of Zanzibar, the natural product market, the zest market, and so on as you travel through bazaar roads. Without forgetting the Zanzibar bent doors, which add a splash of color to the stone town.

Visiting a store

Stone Town’s attractions include fine arts, Zanzibar chests, flavors, and artists.
It’s quite common for them to deal with practically discounted items. The value of large shops is higher, whereas the value of small and very small-formed doodad shops is lower. In huge shops, including the recollections of Zanzibar, precious stone adornments and shimmering races can be found.

Walking around Stone Town, which is the old town of Zanzibar City, the capital of the Zanzibar archipelago, is one of the most popular activities in Zanzibar. Of course, you’ll enjoy and love every one of the knickknack shops in Stone Town, and there are a lot of them.

Maasai bracelets, jewelry, paintings, wooden carvings, Zanzibar chests, and colorful spices are among the items available. A large number of these stores sell similar mass-delivery items that can be found all over Africa. However, you’ll come across the odd unusual item, and it’s cool to say, “I bought this in Zanzibar.”

Go to a rooftop restaurant and have a meal.

One of the most sentimental activities in Stone Town is dining at a housetop eatery, which is the ideal spot to unwind for the night, appreciate the call to supplication, and watch the sun set over copper-hued roofs.