Zanzibar City

City · Mjini Magharibi Region, 🇹🇿 Tanzania

Population 709,809

Area 57 km²

Time zone Africa/Dar_es_Salaam

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Featured Lists

Pemba.mpimaji / CC BY-SA 3.0

Zanzibar City Unmissables

Stone Town, the historic heart of Zanzibar City, is a UNESCO World Heritage site characterized by its coral-stone architecture and labyrinthine alleys. The area preserves 19th-century landmarks such as the House of Wonders and the Sultan’s Palace, alongside sites reflecting the island's somber history like the Old Slave Market and Christ Church. Key cultural features include the Hamamni Persian Baths, the 17th-century Old Fort, and the childhood home of Freddie Mercury, all illustrating Zanzibar’s legacy as a cosmopolitan Indian Ocean trading hub.

14 places

Matthias Krämer / Public domain

Zanzibar Architectural Treasures

Zanzibar City’s architecture is a living record of its cosmopolitan history, blending African, Arab, Indian, and European influences. This collection explores the evolution of the city's skyline, from the 17th-century Omani fortifications of the Old Fort to the intricate Indian-influenced carvings of the Old Dispensary. Beyond the UNESCO-listed Stone Town, the list highlights 20th-century Art Deco structures, modernist government buildings, and historic mosques that illustrate Zanzibar's transition from a major Indian Ocean trading hub to a modern urban center.

20 places

Moongateclimber / CC BY-SA 3.0

Zanzibar Museums & Galleries

Zanzibar's Stone Town preserves its complex history through museums housed in Omani and colonial-era landmarks. Significant sites include the House of Wonders, once a ceremonial palace, and the Old Fort, built by Omani Arabs in the 17th century. The Sultan's Palace and Old Dispensary showcase ornate 19th-century architecture, while the Old Slave Market provides a somber look at the island's past. Complementing these historical sites, local galleries like the Cultural Art Centre and Dr. Bulugu Gallery highlight contemporary Zanzibari creativity and traditional craftsmanship.

11 places

email me / CC BY-SA 3.0

Zanzibar's Spiritual Heritage

Zanzibar’s religious architecture reflects a long history of cultural intersection. This selection includes Stone Town’s landmark cathedrals, such as Christ Church—built on the site of the former slave market—and the twin-spired St. Joseph’s Cathedral, designed by French architects. The list also features the Ijumaa Mosque, renovated in a modern arabesque style, the Jami Mosque, and the Mwanakwerekwe Lutheran Church. Together, these sites represent the Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, and Muslim traditions that coexist within the island's diverse community.

5 places