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Old Fort, Stone Town

Old Fort, Stone Town: Our most recommended tours and activities

Zanzibar: Stone Town, Spice Tour and Prison Island Day Tour

1. Zanzibar: Stone Town, Spice Tour and Prison Island Day Tour

Take a walking tour of Stone Town, visit an organic spice farm, and explore the historic Prison Island all in one day on a full-day, guided tour of Zanzibar. Meander through a labyrinth of chaotic alleyways between towering limestone houses, and interact with Aldabra tortoises. Start your day with a walking tour of Stone Town, the oldest part of Zanzibar City. Relive the grander age of this port city as you stroll through the twisting streets and look at former palaces, Sultan’s Palace, and Arab mansions. Get an insight into the tragic history of slave trading. After your walking tour, drive to the plantation and learn why Zanzibar is known as “Spice Island”. Smell, touch, and even taste some of the crops grown on this Island and find out what the spices were originally used for. Finally, take a boat ride offshore to Prison Island, home to large land tortoises that were imported from Seychelles. Get to touch and feed these creatures living in a sanctuary. Also, learn about the island’s historic use as a prison for rebellious slaves in the 1860s.

Zanzibar: Stone Town Guided Tour with Prison Island

2. Zanzibar: Stone Town Guided Tour with Prison Island

This is a half a day trip where you can visit a historical street constructed from coral stone during the 19th and 20th century. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000. Stone Town is a very lively place where you’ll find a combination of Arabic, African, Indian and European cultures living happily together. As you walk through the labyrinth of streets too narrow for cars to pass, you can see mosques, churches and temples side to side. While you wonder around the city, your guide will take you on a historical and cultural journey through the old slave market, the House of Wonders, the Old Fort, Sultan’s Palace , Darajani market place and Forodhani Gardens . Afterwards we will take a boat from the shores of Stone Town, setting down anchor 5 km away, on the beautiful beach of Prison Island. The prison – which is now owned by a hotel – was built in 1893 and was originally intended to house violent prisoners from the mainland and sick people. You will get the opportunity to visit the tortoise sanctuary, which contains a large colony of giant tortoise imported from the Seychelles in the late 19th century. The average weight of these creatures is 200 kg, and many of them are said to be over 150 years old. There will be a chance to touch the tortoise and take photos. The island is also a home to a colony of beautiful peacocks. For the rest of the trip, you can either enjoy the marine life as you snorkel around the coral that fringes Prison Island or just relax under the warm glow of the sun, until you head back to Stone Town.

Stone Town Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank

3. Stone Town Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank

The program will start after you finish breakfast at 8:30 am you will be picked by a driver from the hotel to the destination area. The tour will end at 17:30 pm, This program involves visiting three places: The prison Island Nakupenda sandbank Stone town Sandbank picnic in Zanzibar is a full day trip, departs in a stone town near Serena hotel at around 9:30 am and we shall sail you away to prison island (changuu island) where the giant tortoises found relaxing on the beach shrubs, after the snorkeling tour around the island we ahead to a sandbank where brilliant birdlife exists. Lunch (seafood and drinks), relax on the sandbank, swim, and listen to the birdlife around you and the skippers’ daughters lapping against the shore. On this tour, you will discover a lot of things. Tourists must come with you the towels and swimming suits, although we are giving out snorkeling gears and even life jackets on request, we shall slowly start to sail back to Stone Town after soaking up the sun, and return back to the Serena Inn by 03:30 pm, This tour starts from 9:30 am and ends at 17:30 pm, Then visitors will have an additional tour a walking safari around the historic city of Zanzibar the stone town. The tour will take around one hour and thirty minutes after finishing this city tour trip visitors will be ready to be picked back at the respective hotels. The trip will be on a private traditional boat.. the sandbank picnic is great for the group of tourists, couples, families, and individuals. Duration: Starts 08:30 am – Ends 05:30 pm Tour Highlights Sail away with us to sandbanks around the magnificent island of Unguja, Zanzibar Get a chance to see, touch feed and take pictures of the Aldabra Giant Tortoise Tips Seafood • Prons, Lobster, Octopus, Calamari, Tuna fish, French fries Tropical fruits • Pineapple, Banana, Watermelon, Mango, Coconut Tropical fruits • Pineapple, Banana, Watermelon, Mango, Coconut Beverages • Water, Soda Note: Tourists must come with towels and swimming suits, although we are giving out snorkeling gear and even life jackets on request. Departure & Return Location Hotel What to See The Aldabra giant tortoise Nature trail Prison ruins Small antelopes Historic buildings (stone town)

Zanzibar: Stone Town & Spice Farm Tour with Lunch

4. Zanzibar: Stone Town & Spice Farm Tour with Lunch

Begin your private tour in Stone Town, a city of prominent historical and artistic importance in East Africa. Its architecture, mostly dating back to the 19th century, reflects the diverse influences underlying Swahili culture, giving a unique mixture of Arab, Persian, Indian and European elements. For this reason, the town was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Start by exploring the Old Slave Market site and Anglican Church, before strolling through the narrow streets towards the City Market. Marvel at the fresh products and fruits and watch how locals buy and sell anything here. Observe the hustle and bustle of the fish auction. After this, take a sightseeing tour of the main buildings in Stone Town including the Palace Museum and the House of Wonder, which is the largest and tallest building in the town, also known as Bait-al-ajab. Continue on to see the Old Fort, Tippu Tip, and of course, the most famous, Freddie Mercury’s House. Also visit the Peace Memorial and Natural History Museum, amongst other attractions.  Next, learn about one of the main industries in the region: spices. Discover how the islands produce cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper. For this reason, the Zanzibar Archipelago, together with Tanzania's Mafia Island, is sometimes called the "Spice Islands". There are many spice farms in Zanzibar and for the next portion of the tour, you will visit a real organic spice farm. When you arrive, the spice farm guide will describe how the spices are grown and used as medication and flavor in dishes. See spices like vanilla, cardamom, nutmeg, and many more. It will be possible to touch, smell and taste the spices and herbs directly from plants. Later, take the opportunity to join a cassava leaf harvest, make coconut milk, and practice some cooking. Even more, a coconut tree climber will pick some fresh young coconut fruits for you to try. End the trip with lunch at the spice farm and the opportunity to purchase spices from the shop (cash only).

Zanzibar: Walking Stone-Town Tour with Guide

5. Zanzibar: Walking Stone-Town Tour with Guide

This atmospheric and mystical town is the cultural and historical heart of Zanzibar. This is a half a day trip where you can visit a historical street constructed from coral stone during the 19th and 20th century. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000. Stone Town is a very lively place where you’ll find a combination of Arabic, African, Indian and European cultures living happily together. As you walk through the labyrinth of streets too narrow for cars to pass, you can see mosques, churches and temples side to side. While you wonder around the city, your guide will take you on a historical and cultural journey through the old slave market, the House of Wonders, the Old Fort, Sultan’s Palace and the Darajani market place. Also, it will include a lunch in a restaurant or in a local house, as agreed before. Forodhani Gardens is also recommended to visit, especially at night when it comes alive as one of the best street food markets in East Africa.

Stonetown Historical Walking Tour & Traditional Lunch

6. Stonetown Historical Walking Tour & Traditional Lunch

The tour will start in one of the most important parts of the old slave market site, the Anglican Church, then continue through the narrow streets. The next stop will be at city market. Here you can see the biggest market of all the islands. Locals buy and sell all sorts of products here, including the freshest fruits and fish auctions where locals bid on sea food. Afterward the tour will cover the main sights of Stown Town, such as the Palace Museum, House of Wonder, which is the largest and tallest building in Stown Town and also known as the Bait-al-ajab. Visit an old fort, the Tippu Tip and of course the most famous spot, Freddie’s Mercury’s house. Visit the Peace Memorial, Natural History Museum and many more. Your tour will end with local lunch in a cozy restaurant.

Discover the Enchanting History and Culture of Zanzibar

7. Discover the Enchanting History and Culture of Zanzibar

A Stone Town tour in Zanzibar takes you on a captivating journey through the historic heart of the island's capital, known for its rich cultural heritage and distinctive architecture. Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a labyrinth of narrow, winding streets lined with centuries-old buildings, bustling markets, and vibrant local life. During the tour, you'll explore the maze-like alleys, where the air is filled with a blend of aromatic spices and the sounds of people going about their daily routines. The architecture of Stone Town showcases a fusion of African, Arab, Indian, and European influences, reflecting the island's diverse history as a major trading hub. You'll have the opportunity to visit iconic landmarks such as the House of Wonders, a grand palace that once served as the Sultan's residence and now houses a museum dedicated to Zanzibar's history and culture. The Old Fort, built by the Portuguese in the 17th century, stands as a reminder of the island's colonial past. The Anglican Cathedral, located on the site of a former slave market, serves as a poignant reminder of Zanzibar's role in the slave trade. As you stroll through the narrow streets, you'll encounter bustling bazaars where traders sell an array of goods, from colorful textiles and handmade crafts to exotic spices and fresh produce. The tour offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in the local atmosphere, interact with friendly locals, and perhaps even sample some delicious Zanzibari street food. A Stone Town tour provides a glimpse into the vibrant history, culture, and daily life of Zanzibar. It's a captivating journey that allows you to appreciate the unique blend of influences that have shaped this enchanting island destination. You will be picked up from your hotel or resort from any location in Zanzibar and driven to stone town to start your tour. Once the tour is over, you will be driven back to your hotel or resort.

Zanzibar Stonetown Highlight walking tour

8. Zanzibar Stonetown Highlight walking tour

Stonetown is a unique and historically rich city located on the island of Zanzibar. When visitors come to Stonetown, they can expect to experience a vibrant mix of cultures and traditions that have been shaped by centuries of trade and migration. One of the highlights of the tour is exploring the winding streets of Stonetown's historic centre, which is a unesco World Heritage Site. Visitors can expect to see beautifully preserved buildings that showcase a blend of African, Arab, Indian, and European architectural styles. Another must-see attraction is the iconic Zanzibar doors, which are intricately carved wooden doors found throughout the city. These doors are a testament to Stonetown's rich cultural heritage and serve as a reminder of its past as a major trading hub. Visitors can also look forward to visiting The Freddie Mercury Museum in Zanzibar Visitors to the museum will have the opportunity to see a collection of personal items, photographs, and memorabilia belonging to Freddie Mercury, including his stage costumes, instruments, and personal letters. The museum also features a replica of Mercury's famous "Magic Tour" stage set-up, as well as an interactive experience where visitors can sing along to Queen's classic songs. Additionally, the museum provides insight into Zanzibar's history and culture, offering visitors a glimpse into the island's rich heritage and the influence it had on Mercury's music. Overall, the Freddie Mercury Museum is a must-visit for fans of the musician and anyone interested in learning more about his life and impact on the world of music. Overall, visitors to Stonetown can expect to experience a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Zanzibar City: Guided Tour of the Stone Town District

9. Zanzibar City: Guided Tour of the Stone Town District

Transportation if a booking of 1, 2, 3 ,4 pax Transport not including you will have to pay additional taxi fee but if a booking of 5... pax transport is including and l will follow you at hotel no need to come to the meeting point Discover Stone Town, the old part of Zanzibar City, through the eyes of a local guide. Learn about the spice island's history and see Freddie Mercury's childhood home, the Old Dispensary, Old Fort, and more. During the walking tour, meet locals and discover the best places to visit. After hotel pickup, follow your guide through the alleyways of Stone Town. Take in different historical landmarks and discover how the town has changed over time. See the Anglican Cathedral Church, House of Wonders, and Freddie Mercury's home. Learn about slavery at the Slave Chambers. Take in the majestic Sultan's Palace, now the People's Palace Museum. Meet locals in Darajani or Stella Market. See the landmark big tree near the Old Dispensary. Marvel at the Old Fort and learn about its Portuguese and Omani history. Take your time exploring the maze of alleyways with your guide.

Zanzibar City: Prison Island and Stone Town Walking Tour.

10. Zanzibar City: Prison Island and Stone Town Walking Tour.

Full Description. Ride by boat to Prison Island, famous for its population of Aldabra giant tortoises. Experience the turtles up close and spot the local peacocks. Move along to a walking tour of Stone Town and learn the Swahili culture and its important historical role in the slave trade. Begin with a beautiful boat ride to Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island. View the local wildlife and learn of the slave rebellion that occurred in the 1860s. Start the walking tour of Stone Town at Forodhani Park. Explore the area and visit important sites such as the House of Wonder, Old Fort, the house of Freddy Mercury, and end at the Darajani market before returning to the city.

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What people are saying about Old Fort, Stone Town

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 25 reviews

The Spice Farm was by far the best part of this tour. The guides were very knowledgeable and funny. They have dozens of different spices and fruits to see and try. The meal cooked for us was amazing too. Really special. The Stone Town was okay but the guide spoke little English (which is fine as it wasn’t his natural language) so it made asking questions difficult. Our transfer was straightforward from our hotel too.

Thank you for this great tour. Our guide Haji was great. Unbelievable what he knew and made the tour very interesting. We could always bring ourselves into the tour if we wanted to see something. Haji always responded to everything. That was really great Haji We can only recommend this tour with Haji. We are definitely planning our next tour with Haji right away

Very well structured tour from start to finish. The tour of the spice farm was very extensive, you could smell and touch everything. There was also a home-cooked lunch with spices and fruit from the farm. The tour of Stone Town was very flexible and our wishes were always taken care of. Therefore, it is best to think beforehand what you would like to see/know.

Very detailed and interesting tours both on the spice farm and in Stonetown. For the spice farm, it is advisable to take mosquito repellent with you.

The spice farm part was amazing! So interesting and authentic. The stone town part more or less. I would recommend to go to Stown Town by yourselve.