Stone Town y Prison Island

Description

Walking tour of this extraordinary city, known as Stone Town, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

A cosmopolitan archipelago, once a key stop along trade routes: Indians, Chinese, Oman Arabs, Phoenicians, Sumerians, Persians, Assyrians, Portuguese, Egyptians, Dutch, and British passed through here, leaving their essence blended with African tradition in the capital city.

The urban design and architecture are characterized by Arabic style. The impressive elongated houses with central courtyards are its most distinctive feature. Inside, you can find over 49 mosques, 2 Christian churches, and 4 Hindu temples—clear evidence of the exotic mix of its inhabitants. Our expert guides will accompany you to discover the famous carved wooden doors, which represent the identity of the families who live there, indicating their origin, religion, and social status.

We will visit the Old Slave Market, the Cathedral, the Central Market, the former Sultan’s Palace, the House of Wonders (currently closed for restoration), the Old Fort, and Freddie Mercury’s House, among other historic buildings.

After the city tour, transfer by boat to Prison Island, just 25 minutes from Stone Town. This island once belonged to a wealthy Arab merchant who used it as a detention center for disobedient slaves during the dark era of slavery. After the abolition of the slave trade in 1873 under the rule of Zanzibar’s third Sultan, a prison was built—but never used as such. Instead, it became a quarantine station for cholera cases from across the East African coast. Originally known as Changuu Island, it also housed prisoners during World War II.

Today, the island boasts a fantastic white sand beach and a lush forest filled with a variety of birds, peacocks, and giant tortoises. It's also famous for its rich marine life—an ideal place for scuba diving and snorkeling.