Things to see
Stonetown
Stonetown known locally as Mgi Mkongwe was once a small fishing village as the capital of Zanzibar was Unguja Ukuu, which is situated more to the south of the Island. When Sultan Seyed Said moved to Zanzibar he started to develop Stonetown.
House of Wonders
The House of Wonders (Beit el Ajaib) was built by Sultan Barghash in 1883. It was the largest building in Zanzibar and the first to have electric lights and an electric lift. It is said that under every column a slave was buried alive when it was built. It was bombed by the British in 1896 to force un unwanted sultan of the throne, and it was restored again and it became the home of Sultan Hamoud, after his death it became the headquarters of the CCM. Now it is a very interesting museum, well worth a visit. The Carved doors are said to be the largest in East Africa.
Market
The market takes a central place in the Africa people. They come here , not only to sell their trade but also to get the latest news. The Market in Stonetwon is very colourful and there is a lot to see. The meat and the fish market might be a bit smelly but sure interesting to see.
Kaya Shop & Tearoom
This is a shop you should not miss. In the Tearoom you can drink a cup of traditional Spicetea while you wonder around the shop to see curios from all over Africa and the original art of the Artist Boblee.
Hamamni Baths
The Hamani Bath is a beautiful building, unfortunately it is no longer in use, but it is still open to visitors, men and women used to have different days to bath.It was built by Sultan Barghash and it was the first public bath in Zanzibar, men and women used to have different days to bath.
The former Slavemarket
This is one of the places where the slaves were sold during the years of Slavery. There is a slave monument and at the place of the market there is a church with a cross that has been made from the tree where Livingstone’s heart was buried.The church is the first Anglican church in East Africa. You can visit the chambers where the slaves were kept until they were sold.
The Old dispensary
One of the most beautifully restored buildings in Zanzibar with a very impressing Façade.It was built by an Indian merchant Tharia Topan, and most of the material was shipped in from India, the craftsmen were Indians too. The merchant died before the building was completely finished, the building feel into disrepair but was eventually finished under pressure from the British consul. It fell into despair again after the independence and was beautifully restored by the Aga Khan fund. Now it is a cultural centre and open to visitors.
The Music School
This nice building houses the Zanzibar Music school, here they try to keep the Traditional Zanzibari Music alive. It is a beautiful building and with the Taarab music in the background it brings you back to the old times.
The Palace Museum
Locally known as the Beit al Sahel. It was the sultans town residence until the revolution in 1964. Most of the splendour in which the sultans lived is gone but the building is still there and some of the Sultans are buried in the garden.
Old Fort
The Old fort was built by the Omani Arabs after they chased the Portugese away, to defend Zanzibar against other intruders. It was used as a storage place for slaves and later it became a tennisfield for the British. Now it is a cultural center and the home of the annual Filmfestival.
Forodhani gardens
The Forodhani gardens is a place you should not miss. As the sun sets the park is transformed in a foodmarket where you can get all the different foods Zanzibar has to offer. All local people visit this place especially on Sundays. They come here to relax, eat, watch people and to share the news of the day.
St. joseph’s Cathedral
This church has been built by French missionaries in 1898. The front entrance is usually closed but you can get in through the back. The fresco’s inside are very very nice in pastel colors and you can climb all the way to the top. Well worth a visit!
Peace Memorial Museum
This museum exists of two buildings, the bigger one has a collection of the history of Zanzibar until independence and the smaller building is a natural history museum.