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One of the most imposing buildings in Stone Town, and the oldest, is the Old Fort, also sometimes known as the Arab Fort. It was built around 1700 on the site of a Portuguese chapel (the remains of which can still be seen inside the walls) by a family of Omani Arabs who had gained control of Zanzibar in 1698 after 200 years of Portuguese occupation. It was used by them to repel the Portuguese and their allies, the Mazruis, who occupied Mombasa. Later, in the 19th century, the fort was used as a prison and a place of execution, and at the beginning of the 20th century as a depot for the Bububu Railway Line. The fort has circular towers at the corners, linked with defensive walls. Its main entrance has a beautifully carved Arab door which was added in 1949, replacing the original fortified entrance gate.
Today the old fort is a cultural centre, with classes in drumming, henna painting etc, and with drama and music performances in the open air theatre. There are several shops and also a small café, with outdoor seating under an old neem tree and baobob. We came here a couple of times – once just for cold drinks after attending a hot and sticky Mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral, and once for lunch. The latter was a simple affair of flat-bread sandwiches washed down with soft drinks, but ample for our needs, and the setting was lovely. Directions: In the centre of Stone Town near the sea
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We took a trip by dhow to visit two of the islands that lie off the coast of Zanzibar near Stone Town – Prison Island and Bawe Island. The first of these, also known as Chumbe Island, is famous for the giant tortoises that live there, some of whom are well over 100 years old. They were originally brought to the island from the Seychelles as part of a conservation effort to extend the range of these giant reptiles. We visited the tortoises in their enclosure in the grounds of the old prison, and enjoyed feeding them. We also spent some time on the lovely white sand beach, strolling by the sea and taking photos.
Prison Island was formerly used by Arab slave merchants as a place of detention for slaves. It was bought by General Mathews and the jail built in 1893 as a central prison for Zanzibar, though never used as such, but instead became a quarantine island. The jail has apparently been recently fully restored but was still in ramshackle ruins when we visited and closed to the public.
From Prison Island we set sail again, and after a short stop for some snorkelling (not especially good as visibility was poor in the clouded water) we landed again, this time on tiny Bawe Island. It seems from my research that this island is now home to an exclusive resort, but we saw no signs of this and it may not have been built at the time of our visit ten years ago. Instead we had the pretty white beach almost to ourselves. For some reason we were the only people on the tour that day, which was also as it happens my birthday, and we had a wonderful lunch of fresh barbecued fish and squid, prepared for us by the dhow’s crew and followed by refreshing papaya. We swam in the sea after lunch but were deterred by the sight of quite a few sea urchins, so as we didn’t have any swim sandals we retreated up the beach where we sat enjoying the view and the antics of the local crab population. Our dhow then returned us to Stone Town by late afternoon. Directions: There are several companies offering similar tours.,If you want to visit just one of the islands you can negotiate a fare with any of the boatmen on the water-front in Stone Town – but you’ll need to pay an additional $4 to land on Prison Island
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 Fishermen returning from
sea on the East Coast by SanguiniA
Tourists are sometimes allowed on fishing trips, either on small boats or on larger dhows. This is best arranged either via a tour operator or by your hotel. You can also ask the tourist office in Stone town. Leave a Comment
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 by grets
Also known as Beit el Amani (house of peace)
Various rooms have exhibits on various topcs: slavery, archaeology, missionaries, sultans, explorers, traditional crafts, natural history (including the bones of a dodo) and many other interesting things.
My favourite object was Livingtone's medical chest, it was kind of strange to think that such a famous explorer had used medicines from that chest....
The museum is not too big as to make it overwhelming, but large enough to make it worth a visit.
Open from 09.00-18.00 every day except Sunday.
There is a small entrance fee, I can't remember how much. Leave a Comment Directions: In an area in the southern end of Stone Town called Mnazi Moja, near the junction of Creek Road and Kaunda Road in
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 by gretsLeave a Comment Directions: On the coast, about 4km north of Stone Town.
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 by grets
The spice gardens were obviously genuine growing patches, not just laid on for tourists, and we wandered over quite an area to see the various spices. The guide would pick up a piece of each spice, letting us touch, smell and taste, as well as guessing what some of the more unusual spices might be.
We tasted fresh coconut juice, agiant pamplemousse as well as seeing a bsket making demonstration.
I love spices, so for me this was an enjoyable hour spent in lovely countryside. One of our party was very critical of the trip however.
There was the ubiquitos "shop" at the end of the tour, which for me was one of the reasons for coming! Leave a Comment
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 by grets
Cramped conditions and no daylight, no sanitation, overcrowding and mistreatment, I find it very hard to imagine what would have gone through the minds of those slaves. Not knowing what the future would bring, having seen many friends and family perish in the long journey overland and by boat to get this far.
Before being sold at the market, many slaves would be made to run to show they could work hard, or tied to a tree and whipped to show they were strong and brave.
In this small room up to 75 slaves would be held, and the chains were still there attached to the floor. I could almost feel the presence of those poor, lost souls... Even with just five of us in there I felt claustrophobic and couldn't wait to get out in daylight again. A really spooky place! Leave a Comment
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 Kizimbani, Persian Baths by sachara
The baths of Kizimbani were built during the reign of Seyyid Said. His estate at Kizimbani was at the place, where in 1818 the first clove trees were planted. At the height of the estate it contained 300.000 trees. Leave a Comment Directions: Kizmbani is about 15 KM north east of Stone Town.
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 coast near Kizimkazi Dimbani by sachara
Kizimgani comprises two places. Kizimkazi Dimbani, the place from where the dolphinstours depart and Kizmkazi Mkunguni 3 KM further south with some hotels. It's a lovely area with beaches and palmtrees.
At the beach we saw the traditional boats of the villagers, the ngalawa outrigger canoes, allready used for centuries by the Swahili fishermen. Leave a Comment Address: KizimkaziDirections: South coast of Unguja, 53 KM from Stone Town.
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Zanzibar, and Stone Town in particular, are blessed with huge decorative wooden doors. They are usually found at the entrance to large building that may house 10-15 families. These expressions of art are up to 200 years old and originated from Arab Trading families. Their lack of depiction of living things is in keeping with Islamic tradition. If you do wander around Stone Town you will find shops that will sell you this massive thick works of art. There are also at least 2 workshops I came across who are in the business of restoring some of these magnificent doors. Leave a Comment
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