The old city of Stone Town is the cultural heart of Zanzibar, and little has changed there for hundreds of years. As you weave through the narrow alleys, grand Arab houses and crumbling mosques, you’ll come across numerous little Masai-run stalls, fruit stalls, sarong and silk shops, spice stalls, galleries, cobblestone roads, seafood stalls and an incredible place where the ancient trade of door-making is still thriving. These doors are elaborate, hand-made, brass-studded colossal pieces of art that are highly sought after.
You can also buy some great souvenirs here, like beaded leather shoes, wooden carvings, jewellery and colourful clothes. You will need to draw cash with your credit card in Stone Town, because you won’t have the opportunity again until you get back to the airport.
The majority of Stone Town’s buildings were built by Omani sultans in the 19th century when Zanzibar was one of the most important trading centres in the Indian Ocean. In order to preserve these architectural markers of history, the Stone Town Conservation Authority has been working towards restoring this ancient town.
Things to do in Stone Town, Zanzibar:
- Relax on the beaches
- Visit the Palace Museum
- Spice Tour
- See the Colobus monkeys
- Visit Changuu Island’s giant tortoises
- Try the exotic food at one of the local restaurants
- Swim with the dolphins
- Wander through the narrow cobbled lanes
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