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The Spice Island

Zanzibar architecture

Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous archipelago off the coast of Tanzania, known for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and the spice trade that made it one of the most valuable places on Earth in the 19th century. Stone Town, Zanzibar's historic capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Arab, Persian, Indian, and African architectural traditions blend in a labyrinth of narrow streets, carved wooden doors, and mosques. Freddie Mercury, the legendary frontman of Queen, was born in Zanzibar in 1946.

  • 5Landmarks
  • 0Oldest · Nungwi
  • 22 mTallest · House of Wonders
  • 1Architects

Before you go

  • Fly intoAbeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ)

    Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, named after Zanzibar's first post-revolution president, is located just 6km from Stone Town. It handles a mix of charter flights from Europe, domestic flights from Tanzania's mainland, and regional African connections. The airport has undergone significant expansion to handle growing tourist arrivals and is increasingly busy year-round. Ferries also connect Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam on the mainland.

  • CurrencyTanzanian Shilling (TSh)
  • LanguageSwahili & Arabic

    Swahili (Kiswahili) originated on the East African coast and the Zanzibar archipelago played a central role in its development as a trade language. The Zanzibari dialect of Swahili (Kiunguja) is considered the prestige standard — it is the dialect used in formal Swahili media and teaching worldwide. Arabic influence is strong from centuries of Omani rule, and Arabic phrases are woven into everyday Swahili speech. English is spoken in the tourism industry.

  • Getting aroundDala-dalas & Tuk-tuks

    Stone Town is best navigated on foot — its narrow alleyways are too tight for cars in many places, and getting lost in the winding streets is one of the great pleasures of a visit. Dala-dalas (shared minibuses) serve routes to the island's beaches and villages. Tuk-tuks are the main tourist transport within and around the old town. Bicycles and scooters can be rented for exploring the island at your own pace. Traditional dhow boats still sail between the islands.

5 landmarks in Zanzibar

  1. Stone Town, Zanzibar City
    Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Mbz1 assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Stone Town, Zanzibar City

    Stone Town, Zanzibar City, Tanzania

    The historic core of Zanzibar City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a labyrinth of narrow winding lanes lined with coral stone houses featuring elaborately carved wooden doors — Zanzibar's most distinctive architectural signature combining Arab, Indian, and Swahili influences.

    Built
    1830
    Style
    Swahili-Arab-Indian vernacular
    Stories
    3
    Today
    UNESCO World Heritage Site & living city
  2. House of Wonders
    Photo: Moongateclimber, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    House of Wonders

    Forodhani, Stone Town, Zanzibar City, Tanzania

    Beit el-Ajaib, the Palace of Wonders, built in 1883 as the ceremonial palace of Sultan Barghash, was the first building in East Africa to have electricity and an elevator. The four-storey structure is the largest building in Stone Town.

    Built
    1883
    Style
    Arab-colonial with cast iron
    Height
    22 m (72 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Museum of Zanzibar history

  3. Old Fort, Zanzibar

    Old Fort, Forodhani, Stone Town, Zanzibar City, Tanzania

    The oldest building in Stone Town, an Arab fort built between 1698 and 1701 by the Omani Arabs who expelled the Portuguese from Zanzibar. The fort's courtyard is now an open-air amphitheatre hosting the Zanzibar International Film Festival and cultural events.

    Built
    1701
    Architect
    Unknown (Omani)
    Style
    Omani Arab military
    Height
    12 m (39 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Cultural venue & tourist site

  4. Freddie Mercury's Birthplace

    Kenyatta Road, Stone Town, Zanzibar City, Tanzania

    The house on Kenyatta Road in Stone Town where Farrokh Bulsara — later known as Freddie Mercury, lead singer of Queen — was born on September 5, 1946. The ground floor houses Mercury's Bar & Restaurant, decorated with Queen memorabilia.

    Built
    1900
    Style
    Swahili colonial vernacular
    Height
    10 m (33 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Restaurant & heritage site
  5. Nungwi
    Photo: Sansibar-freundeskreis.de, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Nungwi

    Nungwi, Zanzibar North, Tanzania

    The northernmost village of Zanzibar island, known for its palm-fringed white sand beach, turquoise waters, and traditional dhow-building workshops where craftsmen still construct ocean-going wooden sailboats using centuries-old techniques without power tools.

    Built
    0
    Architect
    Natural landscape
    Style
    Traditional Swahili village
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Tourism & dhow building

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