.jpg){kind=link}
07
45 min
Old Customs House
Old Customs House, known locally as Forodha ya Zamani, stands on the harbourfront of Stone Town in Zanzibar City.
- Must see
- Historic monument
City guide · Tanzania
Historic monuments, Up to 1 hour in Zanzibar City, Tanzania — page 2
Zanzibar City is centred on Stone Town, a compact historic quarter of narrow lanes beside the harbour. The Old Fort, palace museums, markets and seafront garden...
Photograph · Paul Brockmeyer from Chicago, USA · CC BY 2.0
457
Places
- Suggested stay
- Not recorded
- Getting around
- Walk in Stone Town; taxi beyond it
Turn this list into a plan
Set your days, your pace and the hours you actually want to be out. The planner works around closing days and travel time, and leaves room to eat.
Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor
Zanzibar City is centred on Stone Town, a compact historic quarter of narrow lanes beside the harbour. The Old Fort, palace museums, markets and seafront gardens fit into a walking route, while Ng'ambo and the wider urban area extend east beyond the old town. Island beaches, spice farms and forest reserves are separate excursions rather than city-centre stops, so distinguish a Stone Town itinerary from a wider Zanzibar stay.
Checked 2026-08-26
Practical information
- Language spoken
- Swahili and English
- National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
- Dialling code
- +255
- International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
- Currency
- Tanzanian shilling (TZS)
- Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
- Emergency number
- 112
- Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
- Plug type
- Type D and G · 230 V
- Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
- Tap water
- Not recorded
- No verified nationwide visitor drinking-water statement was recorded
Planning a visit
September · September remains dry in Zanzibar City with 33 mm of rainfall and a 29.9°C mean maximum.
- January: viable with meaningful trade-offs
- February: viable with meaningful trade-offs
- March: viable with meaningful trade-offs
- April: recurring difficult conditions
- May: viable with meaningful trade-offs
- June: best time to visit
- July: best time to visit
- August: best time to visit
- September: best time to visit — current month
- October: good time to visit
- November: viable with meaningful trade-offs
- December: viable with meaningful trade-offs
- Best time
- Good time
- Viable with trade-offs
- Difficult conditions
Sources
- www.mofzanzibar.go.tz Checked 2026-08-28
Top things to see
Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.
Filter the list
10 places match
Category
Typical visit duration
Interests
-
-
08 45 minBharmal Building
Bharmal Building is a historic structure on Stone Town’s reclaimed civic edge in Zanzibar City. Its architecture belongs to the layered urban character created by Swahili, Arab, Indian and European influences.
- Must see
- Historic monument
-
09 45 minMichenzani
The Michenzani Apartment Blocks are a monumental housing ensemble in Zanzibar City, constructed with East German assistance following the 1964 Zanzibar Revolution.
- Must see
- Historic monument
-
10 45 minCheetah's Rock
Cheetah’s Rock is a wildlife rescue and education centre north of Zanzibar City. It combines conservation-focused care with guided animal encounters, giving travelers a structured way to learn about rescued wildlife.
- Must see
- Historic monument
How the city is laid out
Stone Town occupies the western waterfront and is organised around the harbour, Forodhani Gardens, the Old Fort and Darajani Market. Its narrow lanes are best understood through a few fixed landmarks rather than a road grid. Ng'ambo begins beyond Creek Road and contains the newer city. The airport lies south of the centre, while beach villages and nature sites spread far beyond Zanzibar City across Unguja and require road transfers.
Checked 2026-08-26
Getting around
Walk inside Stone Town, where many lanes are too narrow for ordinary vehicle access. The Zanzibar Commission for Tourism lists taxis, buses and rental cars among the island's transport options. For movement beyond the old town, arrange suitable road transport and confirm the pickup point, because vehicles generally meet passengers on wider perimeter roads rather than inside the historic lanes. Check current operator terms before making a longer journey.
Checked 2026-08-26
Common questions
How many days should I plan for Zanzibar City?
No fixed stay length is recorded. Separate the Stone Town walking programme from any spice-farm, beach, forest or island excursion elsewhere on Unguja.
Is Stone Town walkable?
Yes. Its principal seafront, market and heritage sites sit within a compact network of narrow lanes, and walking is the practical way to move between them.
How do I reach places outside Stone Town?
The Zanzibar Commission for Tourism lists taxis, buses and rental cars. Choose the suitable option for the distance and confirm the operator terms and return arrangement before departure.
Where should a taxi meet me in Stone Town?
Use an agreed point on a wider perimeter road or near a recognised landmark. Many interior lanes do not provide normal vehicle access.
Are Zanzibar beaches part of the city walking route?
No. Zanzibar City and Stone Town form the urban base; the island's principal beach villages and nature areas require separate road or boat excursions.