The Stone Town of Zanzibar is a fine example of the Swahili coastal trading towns of East Africa. It retains its urban fabric and townscape virtually intact and contains many fine buildings that reflect its particular culture, which has brought together and homogenized disparate elements of the cultures of Africa, the Arab region, India, and Europe over more than a millennium.

The Stone Town of Zanzibar is an outstanding material manifestation of cultural fusion and harmonization. For many centuries there was intense seaborne trading activity between Asia and Africa, and this is illustrated in an exceptional manner by the architecture and urban structure of the Stone Town. Zanzibar has great symbolic importance in the suppression of slavery, since it was one of the main slave-trading ports in East Africa and also the base from which its opponents such as David Livingstone conducted their campaign.

Places to see in Stone Town
Darajani Market, with balanced piles of oranges, baskets of spices and enormous chunks of fresh fish are arranged under palm-thatch shelters. You will find almost everything you may want in this market and looking for locally manufactured woodcraft, best to take a walk through the labyrinth of streets in Stone Town.

As evening falls, the seafront called the Forodhani Gardens comes alive with stalls selling fried fish and chicken on skewers, hurricane lamps illuminating piles of squid and octopus and mounds of chips. Sugar cane is pressed through an antique mangle and funneled into glasses -- cool, sweet and instantly refreshing. The curio market can be found next to the food market. Here you will find all the gifts you may want to take back to friends and loved ones.

As well as the magic of the streets, Stone Town does have certain historical buildings that are worth a look. The Palace Museum and the Old Fort on the seafront both house collections of furniture and clothing from the days of the Sultans, and the Palace Museum has a room dedicated to Princess Salme, daughter of Sultan Said, who eloped with a German businessman in the 19th century.

The Anglican Cathedral, built on the site of the old slave market, has a crucifix made from the tree under which the explorer David Livingstone's heart was buried. Nearby are the underground chambers in which slaves were kept, forced to crouch on stone shelves less than two feet high.

Malindi Mosque, this is one of the oldest Mosques in Zanzibar. It is unusual because it is conical in shape. Have a look for the minaret. Across from the front door of the mosque is a mausoleum, one of the few left in Stone Town.

The House of Wonders was built in 1883 on the site of Zanzibar Queen Fatuma's residence. This was the first building in Zanzibar to have electric lights and the first in East Africa to have an elevator. It was damaged in 1896 during the Shortest War in History (lasting only 40 minutes). It was later used by the British as their local offices until the revolution in 1964.

Hamamni Persian Baths, these baths were for public use used by both men and women. Separate entrance times ensured that there was no peeping or funny stuff. Built by the son of Said the Great, the old tubs can still be seen, although there is no water. The front rooms were used for changing and socializing. Look out for the warm room, which had underground hot water aqueducts. It was then frequented by the wealthy.

St Joseph's Cathedral was built around about 1895. The architect who designed the cathedral is the same as that of the cathedral in Marseilles, France.

The Old Dispensary, laid in 1887, but completed in 1894, was built by Tharia Thopen, one of Zanzibar's richest men to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. It is now known as Stone Town Cultural Centre and has been renovated by the Aga Khan Foundation.

The High Court, still used as the High Court, it was designed by J.H. Sinclair, a British citizen and Zanzibari resident

Six km south of Stone Town, surrounded by pristine coral reef, Chumbe Island is one of the world’s newest and most successful eco-tourism projects. In 1994, the reef surrounding Chumbe Island was made Tanzania's first Marine National Park. The island itself, covered with lush mangrove forest, is a designated forest reserve.

Visitors can come to snorkel over the incredible coral reef, which contains over 90% of all coral species ever recorded in East Africa. The reef, declared the "world's best shallow water coral reef" by the Australian Institute of Marine Science, is home to over 370 species of fish, turtles and dolphins. Guided walks are also available through the island's coral rag forest, interspersed with tidal pools and huge baobab trees, which supports a unique flora and wildlife population including the rare and enormous coconut crab.

The history of Zanzibar would be incomplete without the cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper and many other spices which brought the Sultans of Oman and the beginnings of the infamous slave trade. They can be seen in the Spice Plantations just outside Zanzibar town, and a good tour includes opportunities to dazzle the senses with fresh spices. A detailed description is given about a variety of spices, and their uses in cooking and cosmetics. Visitors will be fascinated by the sheer number of spices produced and their incredible value for many ailments.

Mtoni Ruins, these are the only remains of Sultan Said’s main residence. It is in a state of disrepair, so expect ruins. This was one of his favourite places and spent most of his time here. His daughter Salme described it as Eden. In the back there are many hallways and rooms with built in alcoves.

Mangapwani, this is where you will find the Mangapwani Coral Caves and the Slave Chambers. The slave chambers are a little further along the road. They were used to house slaves after trading was banished in 1872. Traders used to hide the slaves in this underground structure, waiting for their ships to transport the slaves out of Zanzibar.

Kizimkazi Mosque & Dolphin Tour, situated on the southern point of the island, Kizimkazi fishing village is home to several school of bottle-nosed dolphins which can often be sighted following a short boat trip from the village. If you are lucky, you may be able to swim quite close to the dolphins which can be a very rewarding experience. Kizimkazi is also the site of a 12th century mosque, the earliest evidence of Islam in East Africa, and is thus worth a visit for both natural and cultural reasons.

Jozani Forest, this is a protected forest housing the endangered Red Colobus monkey. This is definitely worth a visit, if only to see the monkeys. Nature walks are offered through the forest and is a great way to see the wildlife on the island. Be sure to dress comfortably, as there is very little shade on the walk.

Kidichi Bath Ruins, these baths were built in 1850 by Sultan Said, for his wife Sherehezade. It is in conflict with Muslim faith with portrayals of birds and flowers on the walls. Muslims consider it sacrilege to create any images of any living thing. Persian craftsmen brought specially to Zanzibar built it. The baths were used by Sherehezade to refresh her after a long journey, or day of hunting.

Prison Island is just off the coast of Stone Town and it’s a quick 10 minute boat trip from the old town’s waterfront. It’s fringed with a lovely white sand beach and a small coral reef, making it ideal for a spot of snorkeling and sunbathing.

The island, also known as Changuu, was first used by Arab slave merchants to detain unruly slaves, before the British built what was intended as a prison for Stone Town in 1890. The building was never used as a prison.

Today, Prison Island is known for its excellent views of Stone Town and for its giant tortoises imported from Aldabra in the Seychelles in the late 19th century. They stand up to a rather staggeringly one meter high and could feasibly be hundreds of years old.