Set just offshore from mainland Tanzania, Stone Town on the spice island of Zanzibar is one of Africa’s most beautiful cities— a maze of faded grandeur, carved wooden doors and stone alleyways that hum with centuries of trade, music, and culture. Queen frontman Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara here in 1946, when Zanzibar (now a part of Tanzania) was a British protectorate and spent his early years among its winding streets. His modest former home on Kenyatta Road draws devoted fans from around the world.
Reached via flight connections in Istanbul, Doha or Nairobi, there is no shortage of ways to explore Stone Town’s layered past. Once a thriving hub of the Omani Sultanate and a major player in the Indian Ocean spice and slave trade, the haunting history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site is carved into every alleyway. Wander through its maze-like streets and you’ll stumble upon ornate Arab mansions, the faded grandeur of old British consulates, and the echoing chambers of the Old Slave Market, which was shut down in 1873 and is now a deeply moving museum.
Visit the Old Fort, built by Omani Arabs in the 17th century, now a cultural hub with artisan stalls and live music. Wander through the Hamamni Persian Baths or sip strong coffee at Jaws Corner, the town’s social heart.
The scent of cloves, nutmeg and cardamom spills from market stalls; the muezzin’s call mingles with the creak of dhow boats in the harbour. In the evenings, Forodhani Gardens becomes a feast for the senses — vendors flipping Zanzibar pizzas, grilling octopus, and juicing sugarcane under golden streetlights.
Beyond the town, spice farms offer guided tours through fragrant groves of vanilla, turmeric and clove. Just a short drive away, you can spot rare red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest or take a boat to Prison Island, home to giant tortoises and coral-fringed beaches perfect for snorkelling. Venture out to the white-powder beaches of Nungwi or Paje where dhows glide across glassy seas. Snorkel coral reefs alive with electric-colored fish, or trek through Jozani Forest, where red colobus monkeys leap through the mangroves.
For those wanting to venture further, Zanzibar is also a launch point for Tanzanian mainland safaris. A short flight can whisk you to the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater for big game sightings and sweeping savannah views — a wild contrast to the laid-back hum of the island.
The dry seasons from June to October and December to February are ideal times to visit. Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites, and consult your doctor regarding vaccinations and malaria before traveling.