Stone Town Walking Tour Zanzibar: Old Fort & House of Wonders

Walk through Stone Town's 17th-century fort and royal palaces with a guide who knows the stories behind them.

A guided walking tour of Stone Town, Zanzibar, led by a local expert who takes you through the Old Fort, House of Wonders, People's Palace, and the Old Slave Market. You'll explore the thick stone walls of the 17th-century fort, learn about Zanzibar's role as a trading hub and the darker chapters of its history, and see the birthplace of Freddie Mercury along the way. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the guide tailors the route to your interests.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Old Fort15m · entry included
2. House of Wonders15m

Explore Stone Town's historic sites

• Visit the Old Fort courtyard
• See local artisans' crafts
• Learn Old Fort history
• View the House of Wonders exterior
• Hear stories about House of Wonders
• Tour the Old Slave Market site
• Visit underground slave chambers
• Explore Anglican Cathedral
• Pass by Freddie Mercury House
• Explore People's Palace museum
• Learn about Zanzibar's royal heritage

The experience

What makes Stone Town worth a full morning on foot? The answer sits in the layers: a 17th-century fort built by Omani Arabs to hold off the Portuguese; a palace that was the first building in East Africa to have electricity; underground chambers where the slave trade left its mark. A local guide threads these together, not as a list of facts but as a story of how Zanzibar became what it is. You start at the Old Fort, or Ngome Kongwe, where thick stone walls and crenelated battlements still stand. Inside, local artisans work in the courtyard, and the space still hosts live performances. You might catch one, or simply sit in the shade and watch the town move around you.

From there, the tour moves through the House of Wonders, the 19th-century ceremonial palace of Sultan Barghash. The building is currently under renovation, but your guide shares the architecture (a blend of Omani and European styles), and the history: how it earned its name as the first structure in the region with electricity and an elevator, and what that meant for a trading hub on the Indian Ocean. You'll pass the Freddie Mercury House, where the Queen frontman was born, then move into the weight of the Old Slave Market. Here you walk the underground chambers and see the memorials. Your guide doesn't lighten this. They tell you what happened and why it matters. The People's Palace, Beit al-Sahel, comes next: the former residence of the Sultan, now a museum with original furnishings and photographs that show how the royal family lived.

The tour runs three hours and includes time to shop, water to drink, and entry fees to the sites. Your hotel pickup and drop-off are arranged, so you don't navigate the narrow streets to find the starting point. The guide speaks multiple languages and shapes the route based on what interests you most, whether that's the architecture, the food, or the chance to photograph the old doorways and carved wooden shutters that line the alleys.

What’s included

• Professional tour guide.
• hotel pickup and drop-off within Stone Town.
• entrance fees to the sites.
• mineral water.
• shopping time built into the route.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30, 12:30 and 16:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Chinese and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 32 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Zan Archipelago Tours & Safaris

Is this one for you?The guide speaks your language (English, Spanish, Italian, French or others), so you follow the stories without translation lag. Book this if you want a local's perspective on the history rather than a scripted recitation, and if you'd rather not navigate the alleys and figure out which doors lead where on your own.

Traveler reviews

4.77★★★★★★★★★★

57 verified traveler reviews

5 ★49

4 ★5

3 ★1

2 ★2

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Russian and Chinese.

What is the Old Fort actually used for now?

The Old Fort, built in the 17th century by the Omani Arabs, now serves as a cultural center. Local artisans display their crafts in the courtyard, and the space hosts live performances and community events, so you get a sense of how Stone Town uses its history in daily life.

Can you actually go inside the House of Wonders?

The House of Wonders is currently under renovation, so you won't enter the building itself. Your guide provides the history and architectural details from outside, explaining why it was the first structure in East Africa to have electricity and an elevator, and what that meant for Zanzibar as a trading center.

How much time do you spend at the Old Slave Market?

The Old Slave Market is one of several stops on the tour, and your guide takes you through the underground chambers and memorials. The tour covers this site as part of the three-hour route, giving you time to understand Zanzibar's role in the East African slave trade and the resilience of the people enslaved there.