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, darkly, 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.

What you actually see

• 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 sobering memorial and cathedral.
• 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.

Honest expectations

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 beautiful heritage includes the painful history of the slave trade, movingly memorialised. 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.