Stone Town is one of the oldest districts in the city of Zanzibar, East Africa’s oldest town that is still inhabited today.

In addition to beautiful windows it is the city’s richly decorated doors that have become a unique feature of Zanzibar’s architecture. The colourful spirit of the city can be experienced in the many labyrinth-like markets that bring Stone Town to life. The chaos, excitement and hectic pace of the fruit and vegetable markets is a real feast of the senses.

Up until the end of the nineteenth century Zanzibar’s central slave market was held on the site of today’s Anglican Church. A fascinating group of sculptures recalls this dark and cruel chapter of the island’s history, a highly profitable business that was controlled by the Arabian upper classes.

Following the revolution of 1964 the Sultan’s Palace was also transformed and today it is the People’s Palace and is open to the public. It contains a museum that provides a fascinating insight into the opulent lifestyle of the Sultan’s court.

Stone Town days usually come to their most beautiful climax when the fishing boats return to the harbour and the setting sun fills the sky with a kaleidoscopic array of magnificent colours.