Crenellated walls
The town's oldest building.
Willem van der Horst — CC BY 2.0 · Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — CC BY 2.0 · Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — CC BY 2.0 · Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — CC BY 2.0
The oldest standing building in Stone Town, a fort with high walls and crenellated towers built by the Omanis between 1698 and 1701, after they drove the Portuguese out of Zanzibar, on the site of a Portuguese church. Islanders know it as Ngome Kongwe, the old fort. The fort defended the town, then over the next two centuries served as a prison, a store and, under the British protectorate, a railway depot. Today it is a cultural centre open to the public. Its inner courtyard holds an open-air amphitheatre for concerts and shows, including the Sauti za Busara festival of African music each February. Around the courtyard are craft stalls, a café and a small tourist information desk. Entry is free by day, and it is a natural stop between the neighbouring Forodhani Gardens and the House of Wonders. Climb one of the towers if it is open for a view of the waterfront.
The town's oldest building.
Concerts and shows.
In the courtyard.
Mizingani Road, on the Stone Town waterfront
House of Wonders (Beit al-Ajaib)Stone Town's most famous and tallest building, a ceremonial palace built by Sult1 minute walk3.8
Forodhani Gardens and Night MarketA seafront garden in front of the Old Fort and the House of Wonders, Stone Town'2 minutes walk4.3
Palace Museum (Beit al-Sahel)A white palace with crenellated walls on the Stone Town waterfront, home to the 3 minutes walk3.9
Hamamni Persian BathsPublic baths built in the late nineteenth century by Sultan Barghash bin Said in3 minutes walk3.5
Stone TownZanzibar's old town, a maze of narrow lanes and coral-stone houses blending Oman5 minutes walkThe Omanis built it between 1698 and 1701, after driving the Portuguese from the island.