On the coast of Unguja lies the ancient and cultural city of Stone Town. The city is easily accessible by plane, bus, ferry, or car. Once the capital of Zanzibar and a flourishing location for spice and slave trade in the 19th century, the city is still full of lots of history and ancient relics. Its heritage makes this unique city a common tourist stop and attraction. The appeal of its architecture that has Moorish, Persian, Arab, and Indian elements makes it a beautifully stunning sight to see. The maze of shops, bazaars, mosques, alleys, and houses keep visitors busy as they wander down the windy narrow roads experiencing all this city has to offer.
Stone Town offers many historical building unique to the city’s origin. The House of Wonders or “Palace of Wonders” is the most common of these landmarks. This establishment was built in 1883 and was the house of the Sultan. At present, it resides as a museum to the Swahili and Zanzibar culture. The Old Fort is a large stone fortress that was built back in the 17th century. The Fort now has a lovely courtyard filled with shops, workshops, and hosts many dance and music shows daily. Some other historical buildings to check out are the Old Dispensary, Palace Museum, Anglican Cathedral, David Livingston’s House, Peace Memorial Museum, Tippu Tip’s House, and Hamamni Persian Baths. In addition, the Forodhani Gardens and Darajani Market are excellent places to visit during the day.