Stone Town, Zanzibar

Stone Town is the atmospheric old heart of Zanzibar City, a UNESCO labyrinth of narrow, winding lanes on the Swahili coast island of Zanzibar. A melting pot of African, Arab, Indian and European influences built up over centuries of spice and slave trading, it is a maze of coral-stone houses with famous carved wooden doors, bustling bazaars, mosques, old palaces and the birthplace of Freddie Mercury, endlessly evocative to wander and lose yourself in.

History

The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, of the 1st to 3rd centuries, mentions an island called Menuthias, probably Unguja, and Bantu-speakers settled Zanzibar early in the first millennium; by the end of the 10th century it was one of the main Swahili trading towns. Shangani, the fishing village that grew into Stone Town, was founded in the 11th century while larger towns elsewhere on the island held power until the 16th, the Portuguese built a church there early in the 16th century, and after the Portuguese were driven out in the 17th century local patricians invited the Sultan of Oman to rule in exchange for protection. In the 19th century it was the capital of the Sultanate of Zanzibar and a flourishing centre of the spice trade and the Indian Ocean slave trade, it stayed the island's main city under the British protectorate, and most of its buildings date from that century (Wikipedia, Stone Town).

What to look for

• The old lanes - the maze of narrow streets and coral-stone houses.
• The carved doors - the famous ornately carved wooden doors.
• The former slave market - the memorial and the Anglican cathedral built on the site.
• The bazaars and waterfront - the markets and the sunset at Forodhani gardens.

When to go

June to October and December to February for the driest weather; the long rains of April and May are best avoided. Evenings at the Forodhani night food market and the waterfront are a highlight. It pairs perfectly with the island's beaches.

Things to know

It is easy to get lost in the maze, which is part of the charm. As a conservative Muslim island, modest dress is appreciated away from the beaches and resorts. Its heritage includes the history of the slave trade, marked by the memorial at the former market. The town can be hot, humid and, in places, run-down, but it is deeply atmospheric.

Nearby

The spice farms, the beaches of the north and east coasts, and the mainland safari circuit are within reach.

Key facts