Stone Town

Stone Town is Zanzibar's cultural heart, and little has changed in the last 200 years. The grand old Arabian homes that line the city's narrow streets and winding alleys lend the city its own distinct charm. The majority of Stone Town's houses were constructed in the nineteenth century, when Zanzibar was one of the most important Swahili trading towns in the Indian Ocean. Many of the houses have bras-studded, intricately carved wooden doors that visitors will notice.

Many of Stone Town's landmarks have been restored to their original glory as the world's oldest operating Swahili city. Some of the historic structures have been converted into museums and tourist attractions. The town also has a couple of historically significant old churches.

A stroll down Creek Road leads to the original Stone Town area, which includes the Darajani Market, Beit el-Amani, City Hall, and the Anglican Cathedral. The Forodhani Gardens, the Old Dispensary with its carved wooden balconies, the former home of the sultans known as Beit el-Sahel or the People's Palace, the Hamamni Persian Baths built in 1888, and Stone Town's oldest structure, the Old Fort, are also highlights.

Location: Zanzibar City, Tanzania‎