Stone Town
Stone Town : Situated in the centre of the main island of Unguja’s west coast, Stone Town is the largest town and capital of the archipelago. Known as the “Old City” and the centre of Zanzibar’s culture, Stone Town got its name from the coral stone structures that were constructed there in 1800. Since little much has changed in this area during the past 200 years, it is rich in historical value. Owing to its historical significance, Stone Town is a popular Tanzania safari tourist destination in Tanzania.
The different effects of several underlying civilizations may be seen in the city’s architecture, which stretches all the way back to the 19th century. Stone Town was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000 as a result of its remarkable combination of history and art.
Despite this, the town’s beautiful architecture and distinct culture have mostly preserved its urban fabric and townscape. There’s no better venue to discover components of Moorish, Arab, Persian, Indian, and European culture than this one. The people, the monuments adorned with brass, the busy oriental bazaars, the marble balconies, the carved doors, the spiral staircases, the carved wooden apartments, and everything else all represent this blend. With so many breathtaking locations to discover, some tourists take days to meander through the enthralling and enchanted maze of tiny alleys and cobblestone passageways.
So Park Hyatt Zanzibar: Thus, with its five-star guest suites and desirable beachside location, the Park Hyatt Zanzibar is about as opulent as it gets. The hotel is the perfect blend of old and new, spread across two white and red-roofed buildings, one of which is a heritage structure from the 17th century and the other more contemporary. Relaxation is the norm here, with access to a sand beach, an outdoor pool, and an opulent spa. Dining here at night is a dream come true; you’ll be looked after by top-notch chefs and sommeliers.
Hotel Tembo House – The Arabian-style Tembo House Hotel, housed in a majestic historic edifice, was formerly the American Consulate. The guest rooms are really unique inside, with four-poster beds in the Swahili style, genuine wood-carved furnishings, and a luxurious hammam bath. While not unwinding on your personal balcony with a view of the pool or the ocean, you can enjoy delectable meals at the on-site restaurant. You may choose from classic foreign fare as well as traditional Zanzibari food.
Hotel Mizingani Seafront – The 4-star Mizingani Seafront Hotel is housed in a historic structure that houses one of the island’s most vintage lifts. The property was initially constructed as a getaway for royal honeymooners. Even now, the hotel retains its romantic feel thanks to its four-poster beds in the Swahili style, its pristine swimming pool for relaxing in, and its seafood restaurant where visitors can take in the breathtaking sunsets that the archipelago is renowned for. Every room has a separate entrance, a balcony with a view of the pool or the sea, and a mosquito net.
The Al-Minar Hotel: The Al-Minar Hotel is housed in a sophisticated Arabian-style building with a rooftop terrace and intricate woodwork. It exudes authenticity. Situated fewer than five minutes from the shore, each accommodation features African-inspired furnishings, including mattresses covered in mosquito nets and dark wood furniture. A benefit of the hotel is that the Peace Memorial Museum and Zanzibar’s Old Fort are both easily accessible on foot. Every day of their stay, guests at this 3-star hotel will also be treated to a complementary breakfast. Among the hotels in this area are;
Michamvi
On Unguja Island, Michamvi is located in the southeast corner. This peninsula is well-known for its brilliant white beaches, palm tree strewn areas, and a section of the amazing barrier reef for exploration. Here, the tide recedes for hundreds of metres, making it an excellent location for shallow water swimming and snorkelling.
This ten-kilometres peninsula is a relatively undeveloped and rural area of the island; the backpackers who used to frequent there have been replaced by affluent vacationers living at beach retreats. But there’s still a lot of space left because this area of the island hasn’t been totally overtaken by development. There are many diving schools on the east side of the peninsula; because they are not too busy, these are excellent locations to learn to dive. This is the Oba-Oba Lagoon, a popular spot for snorkelling and diving. Sailboarding and kitesurfing are also possibilities.
Things to do at Stone Town
Enjoy a Cocktail at Emerson Spice House in the Sunset
It’s time to unwind after a tiring day of seeing the town on foot and attempting to comprehend the local way of life. Grab a cocktail and enjoy the sunset while gazing at the stunning clouds. The beverages are excellent in addition to the breathtaking scenery and sunset. Make a reservation and take in a breathtaking sunset over Zanzibar from the Emerson Spice House rooftop at the Tea House.
Visit Forodhani Gardens
Would you like to dine like a local? Let’s grab a bite to eat here in the evening after a tiring day of exploring. Located just on the waterfront, you may enjoy the lovely air while savouring a delectable array of locally produced Zanzibari cuisine from dozens of late-night outdoor food vendors. Every night, the park itself has a fantastic food market, so make sure to drop by after dark to enjoy a charming evening of sampling Zanzibari and Swahili cuisine. You can eat your heart out for a few bucks here in a terrific ambiance, enjoying everything from the renowned Zanzibar pizza to meat kebabs, local fish, coconut bread, grilled cassava, roasted maize, chunky sweet potato, garlic chapatti and amazing fresh fruit selections.
Snorkelling at Chumbe Island
Some would say that this is the best place in all of East Africa to go snorkelling, not just in Zanzibar. Renowned for its 200 kinds of fish and coral, the reef sanctuary at Chumbe Island is a privately owned nature reserve. It’s such a vast underwater paradise that diving is prohibited and snorkelling requires a permission due to its extreme cleanliness. Scholars hailing from many global locations visit the island to examine its fragile ecosystem. The variety, hues, and dimensions of tropical fish are astounding. Step out onto the pristine waters of this fantastic snorkelling spot directly from the white sand beach.
Go for Dhow Cruising
Over centuries, Arab traders utilised dhows, traditional wooden sailing vessels, to cross the Indian Ocean and reach East Africa’s Swahili Coast. They can be bigger, two-level boats for tourists or tiny, one-man fishing boats with improvised sails. Sure, it’s a tourist trap, but there’s really no better way to see the sunset over Zanzibar than from the deck of one of these classic boats with a white sail. This will provide you a unique perspective on some of Stone Town’s most remarkable sights, such as Africa House, Serena Inn Hotel, Beit El Jaib, The Old Fort, House of Wonders, Forodhani Gardens, and The Palace Museum.