Stone Town Walking Tour: UNESCO Heritage Sites with Hassan

Stone Town tour: explore historic streets, forts, spice bazaars, and a rock star's birthplace

A three-hour walking tour of Stone Town, Zanzibar's UNESCO-listed capital, with a certified English-speaking guide visiting the House of Wonders, Old Fort, Freddy Mercury Museum, Darajani Bazaar and the former slaves market. The tour covers the 19th-century Omani architecture, Portuguese influence and the island's layered history—each stop has a guide who knows why the building stands where it does. Hotel pickup is available if your accommodation is outside Stone Town; if you're staying in the old quarter itself, let the operator know in advance.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Stone Town's historic sites

• Visit House of Wonders
• Walk through Forothani Gardens and night food market
• Explore Old Fort
• See Freddie Mercury Museum
• Visit Catholic & Cathedral Church
• Stop at Jaws Corner for coffee
• Tour Slaves Market Museum
• Shop at Darajani Market
• View Old Dispensary building
• Visit Ijumaa Mosque
• See Zam Zam House
• Tour People's Palace Museum

The Experience

The House of Wonders opens the tour—the tallest and largest building Stone Town built in the 19th century, facing Forothani gardens and sitting between the Old Fort and the palace museum. It was built by Sultan Baraghash bin Said as a ceremonial palace and reception hall, and the scale of it still commands the waterfront. From there the walk moves through the Portuguese-built Old Fort, the first oldest building in Stone Town, constructed in the 16th century and now used for Zanzibar festivals.

The Darajani Bazaar comes next—designed by British architect J. H. Sinclair and opened in August 1904, it is the largest of the central market structures. Inside, the layout still holds fish, spices, meat, fruits and vegetables in separate sections, and it is where locals and tourists move through the same narrow aisles. The former slaves market, now a museum, sits nearby; it was closed as a market around 1873 by Sultan Baraghash, and an Anglican Church was built on the site by Edward Steere, the third Bishop of Zanzibar, with the first service held in 1874.

The Freddy Mercury Museum marks the birthplace of the Queen frontman, born in Zanzibar Town on 5 September 1946. Jaws Corner, the heart of town and a meeting place for locals and tourists, offers a pause for coffee. The walk also passes the Ijumaa Mosque, built in the 19th century and renovated in 1994 in modern arabesques style, the Old Dispensary commissioned in 1887 as a charitable hospital, and the People's Palace, built by Sultan Seyyid Said in the 1830s and bombarded during the 1896 Anglo-Zanzibar war. A certified guide in English walks the whole route and carries water for the group.

What’s included

• Professional and certified English-speaking guide.
• bottle of water.
• entry to all sites on the walking route including the House of Wonders, Old Fort, Freddy Mercury Museum, Darajani Bazaar and the former slaves market museum.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Hansver tours

Is this one for you?Follow Stone Town's essential heritage sites—the House of Wonders, Old Fort, and slave market among them—at a walking pace that lets you absorb each building's story without breaking your rhythm between stops.

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Top questions

What is the House of Wonders and why does the tour start there?

The House of Wonders was the largest and tallest building in 19th-century Stone Town, built by Sultan Baraghash bin Said as a ceremonial palace and reception hall. It faces Forothani gardens and sits between the Old Fort and the palace museum, making it the visual anchor of the waterfront and the natural entry point to understanding Stone Town's Omani architecture.

Can I get picked up from my hotel in Stone Town?

If your hotel is in Stone Town itself, send the operator an advance message and they will arrange the pickup. For hotels outside the old quarter, transport from your accommodation to the meeting point is available; confirm your location when you book.

What happened at the Darajani Bazaar and when was it built?

The Darajani Bazaar was designed by British architect J. H. Sinclair and opened in August 1904. It is the largest of Stone Town's central market structures and still operates with separate sections for fish, spices, meat, fruits and vegetables—the same layout that has served locals and visitors for over a century.

Where was Freddy Mercury born and what does the museum show?

Freddy Mercury was born in Zanzibar Town on 5 September 1946 and became the lead vocalist and pianist of Queen. The museum occupies his birthplace and is one of the stops on the walking route through Stone Town.

How long is the walking tour and what is included?

The tour runs three hours and includes a professional, certified guide who speaks English and a bottle of water. The guide leads you through all the major historical buildings and explains the history of each site as you walk.

What is the Old Fort and why was it built?

The Old Fort was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and is the oldest building in Stone Town, also known as the Arabic Fort. It was bombarded during the 1896 Anglo-Zanzibar war and now hosts Zanzibar festivals and cultural events.