Mtoni Palace Ruins
The roofless shell of the first Omani sultan's palace on Zanzibar, birthplace of the princess who wrote of it.
Updated 2 September 2026
Mtoni was the first palace built on Zanzibar by Sultan Seyyid Said after he moved his capital here from Oman in the 1830s, a large complex on the shore with a bath house, a mosque and courtyards holding a household of a thousand people. His daughter Salme was born there and, after eloping to Germany, wrote Memoirs of an Arabian Princess, the fullest description of life inside it. The palace is a roofless shell now, standing between the road and the sea.
What's there
- The palace shell - roofless walls, arches and courtyards on the shoreline.
- The Persian bath house - the surviving bath structure beside the main building.
- The Salme connection - the birthplace of the author of Memoirs of an Arabian Princess.
- The sea frontage - the palace built directly on the shore north of Stone Town.
When to go
June to October and December to February are driest. Late afternoon is best for the light and the sea. Evening events with music are held on the site in season.
Good to know
The ruins are fragmentary and much has been quarried away over the years. Interpretation on site is limited. It sits beside a working industrial shore rather than in an attractive setting.
Nearby
Zanzibar City is south, and Mangapwani is north.
What to pack for Mtoni Palace Ruins
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Modest clothing - Shoulders and knees covered - the single most common requirement. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A scarf or shawl - To cover the head or shoulders on entry; women especially at mosques. Find on Amazon
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