What to do in stone town in Zanzibar

What to do in stone town in Zanzibar : Located on a peninsula extending out from the western side of Unguja Island into the Indian Ocean, the Stone Town of Zanzibar is a fine representation of a Swahili trading town. This kind of town originated on the East African coast, grew under the influence of the Arab, Indian, and European cultures, and kept its native components to create an urban cultural unit exclusive to this area. In addition to having many beautiful buildings that represent its unique culture which has combined and homogenized diverse aspects of the cultures of Africa, the Arab world, India, and Europe over more than a millennium the Stone Town of Zanzibar also maintains nearly all of its urban fabric and townscape.

The intricate blend of Swahili, Indian, Arab, and European influences in building traditions and town design is reflected in the structures of Stone Town, which are mostly constructed of coralline ragstone and mangrove timber, placed in a thick lime mortar, and then plastered and lime-washed. The two-story homes include long, narrow rooms arranged around an open courtyard that may be accessed via a small hallway. The beautifully carved double “Zanzibar” doors on the outside, as well as some large vernadahs and lavishly adorned interiors, set them apart. Along with the straightforward Swahili dwellings on the bottom level and the slender Indian stores with façades along “bazaar” streets built around a “duka” (commercial area).

What to do in stone town in Zanzibar : Wander the Old Fort.
Let’s begin your exploration of Stone Town by going to the Old Fort. It is the oldest structure in Zanzibar, having been constructed by the Portuguese in the seventeenth century. The structure is challenging to manage because of its primary waterfront position. The Old Fort, which was formerly utilized as a jail and a defensive stronghold in the 19th century, is currently the site of the Zanzibar International Film Festival, also called the Festival of the Dhow Countries.
The easiest way to characterize the fort is as a square with tall, brown walls and merlons around a courtyard within. Wander around the inner courtyard and you’ll see the remnants of older structures, one of which is a Portuguese church.
In addition, it has a large number of stores offering tourist-oriented mementos such African artwork and an outdoor amphitheatre where live music and dance performances take place every evening.

What to do in stone town in Zanzibar : Take a stroll in Forodhani Gardens.
Right in front of the Old Fort is number two on the list. A little park called Forodhani Gardens, or Forodhani Park, is situated near to the new harbor on the waterfront. It is an excellent spot to escape the busy city life throughout the day. Both residents and visitors like hanging out there. A large restaurant with a pier leading into the ocean, two tiny cafés with patio seating, tree-shaded chairs, a kids’ play area, and much more can be found here. Every evening between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m., Forodhani Park comes alive with activity as it turns into an outdoor night market where local cuisine from various food vendors is available for sampling.
This eatery will be like heaven for you if you love seafood! You may most likely locate any kind of fish in the store. It’s better to choose another restaurant if, like me, you are a vegetarian or even vegan.

Go shopping at Darajani Bazaar.
Darajani Market (also known as the Bazaar) is the one location in Stone Town that is certain to please every kind of foodie. This is a traditional African market where sellers offer a variety of commodities like electronics or souvenirs in addition to food items including fish, meat, fruits, cereals, and spices. Originally founded in 1904, it was subsequently expanded upon and renovated. The market is separated into many parts and is quite well-organized inside.
For instance, a wide range of tropical fruits, including avocados, pineapples, bananas, and jackfruit basically anything that grows on the island can be found in the fruit and vegetable department. It is also worthwhile to visit Darajani Market, particularly the area surrounding Kanga Street where you can purchase vibrant native textiles and designs. There are other stores where you may buy home products, clothing, shoes, and a variety of other items.

Learn about history at the old slave market.
While Stone Town is very vibrant and thrilling, the city also has a very dark past. The final traces of this brutal institution may be discovered at Stone Town, where the British closed the last open slave market in history in 1873. The city housed Zanzibar’s most violent slave market for far too long.Visit one of the fifteen low-ceilinged slave basements of the Old Slave Market to take a trip back in time to the dreadful era of the slave trade. Here, up to 60 slaves were crammed together like sardines in the can, with no toilets, hardly any food and chained by the feet.
The hardest-bitten among them, having weathered the terrible conditions, were brought to the auction prepared for prospective purchasers to examine. The feeling of being in one of these gloomy, stuffy rooms is both harrowing and poignant. It draws you a great deal closer to the city’s dark past. Slave Market Memorial is located exactly where slaves used to be transported to be sold. It was established in 1998 with the express intent of keeping Zanzibar’s infamous past alive.
Beside the memorial, there’s a massive Anglican cathedral with an altar placed precisely where the slaves were formerly whipped.

Experience Local Life at Jaws Corner.
Engaging with the locals in Jaws Corner is another of Stone Town’s top activities. Locals congregate in Jaws Corner, a sort of communal plaza, early in the morning to mingle, play board games, and sip black Zanzibar coffee. Just take a cup of the strong, unsweetened coffee and enjoy their fascinating tales. People in Zanzibar are quite friendly and eager to converse with visitors, especially if you speak a little Swahili.

Marvel at stunning Zanzibar doors.
Throughout your tour of the city, you will undoubtedly come across a great deal of striking wooden entrances. It makes sense that Stone Town is well-known for its distinctive doors, which combine Arabic and Indian motifs with traditional African architecture. Most of the estimated 560 doors in the Zanzibar City area are located in this area of the island’s capital.
The majority of them date back more than a century, and when the buildings they are a part of fall apart, they frequently remain the sole structure intact. It’s also said that the doors had greater significance: from the exterior, one might infer the occupant’s social standing or religious beliefs.

Enjoy freshly roasted coffee at Zanzibar coffee house.
Zanzibar Coffee House is a location you really must visit if you enjoy coffee. In the centre of Stone Town, in an original Arabic home, sits this coffee shop and boutique hotel. Built in 1885, this structure is among Zanzibar’s oldest. A quick visit is essential, regardless of whether you choose to stay in one of their uniquely decorated rooms or suites. Their freshly roasted Zanzibar coffee is unmatched.
That’s not all, though. In addition to the main floor’s comfortable seating sections, there is a 360° rooftop terrace with amazing city views accessible by ascending the stairs. Come have a seat here, sip some excellent coffee, and take in the busy street activity below for a truly remarkable safari experience.

Pay a visit to Freddie Mercury Museum.
Did you know that Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of one of history’s most popular rock bands ever, was born in Zanzibar. The home where Freddie was raised and lived with his family until 1963, when they moved to England, is now a museum. It mostly highlights Freddie’s early years and upbringing in Zanzibar, as well as his incredible quest to become the legendary icon that he was.

Admire one of the most valuable gemstones.
Not to mention, one of the most precious diamonds in the world is probably something else you didn’t expect to discover in Stone Town. Because tanzanite gemstones are only discovered in a very limited mining location in Tanzania, they are extremely valuable and pricey. Tanzanite gemstones typically exhibit alternating hues of blue, violet, and burgundy, contingent upon the crystal orientation and lighting circumstances.
The greatest locations to view (and maybe purchase) the opulent and jaw-dropping Tanzanite jewelry are Johari Treasures, Zenj Treasures, Tanzanite Gallery, and Blue Gems Zanzibar, all of which are located in Stone Town.
You may discover a variety of Tanzanite jewelry designs at each of those stores, such as pendants, earrings, bracelets, rings, necklaces, and so on.

Eat local Food at Lukmaan Restaurant.
Is it not true that one of the best things about travelling is to sample the cuisine of the place you are visiting? The Lukmaan Restaurant is the ideal location in Stone Town to conduct this particular task. You don’t just sit down and order from the menu as you would at other restaurants in the globe. Rather, a plethora of diverse foods are arranged in glass display cases for you to peruse before placing an order with the counter personnel. Just the beverages you must select from a menu that is shown at the counter.
Next, your meal will be delivered to the table of your choice. Your servers merely come hunting for you at the restaurant; you don’t even receive a table number or anything like that. Given that the restaurant is often frequented and that it must be difficult to recall every face that is impressive service.
In addition to the outstanding service, the cuisine is also quite good! What more could you want for. Generous servings, affordable costs, and fantastic flavor.
You’re in luck since its open from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm every day, giving you plenty of time to sample all the mouthwatering meals.

Get lost in the narrow streets of Stone Town.
Trust me when I tell you that another one of the coolest things to do in Stone Town is to get lost in the city’s maze of narrow streets. Although it can seem intimidating at first, this is the greatest way to truly see the city.
While there are maps of Stone Town accessible, they are of little value for navigating this chaotic metropolis. It goes without saying that unless you take a guided tour, which I heartily suggest, you will get lost about a hundred times. Tours are an excellent way to learn the fundamentals about some areas of the city, but if you don’t venture out and explore it on your own, you can lose out on discovering hidden gems.

Watch the sunset from Stone Town Beach.
Is there anything more perfect than witnessing a breathtaking sunset from the most amazing spot to cap off an exciting day full of adventures. The beach in Stone Town is the ideal location; it’s only a short distance from Forodhani Gardens. Locals love coming to Stone Town Beach after work to unwind, dance, do acrobatics, sing, and generally have a wonderful time. It’s also a fantastic spot to see the sun set, as was previously remarked. It is truly an unforgettable safari experience to see the sky transition from a soft orange to a deep scarlet, casting a mystical glimmer over the placid ocean!

Take a day Trip to Jozani Forest.
Last but not least, remember to schedule a day excursion to the island’s sole national park, Jozani Forest. Jozani Forest, which started out as a forest reserve in the 1960s and afterwards became a national park, is home to Zanzibar’s biggest near-natural forest and spans more than 50 square km. The red colobus monkey, the most endangered species of African monkey, is the reason Jozani Forest is so well-known. The red colobus monkeys are completely at ease and don’t mind being seen and photographed, in contrast to other monkeys that flee from guests or, on the other hand, attack people.