Private Tour

Stone Town Secrets: Historical Walking Tour With a Local Guide

Overview

Available languages

English

Mobile ticket

Step into the rich history and vibrant culture of Zanzibar with our expertly crafted Stone Town Heritage Tour. This immersive journey will lead you through the winding streets of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will uncover the architectural grandeur and historical significance of this ancient trading hub.

• Religious Harmony: Peaceful coexistence of Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism.

• Cultural Fusion: Blend of African, Arab, Persian, Indian, and European influences.

• Rich Heritage: History of Stone Town as a major trading hub.

• Friendly Locals: Welcoming Zanzibari people with captivating stories.

• Unique Cuisine: Flavorful Zanzibari dishes like biryani, pilau, and seafood.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Stone Town

Walk through the charm of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on this engaging tour that immerses you in its rich history, architecture, and vibrant culture. Explore a maze of narrow streets lined with over 2,000 limestone buildings spanning 50 hectares, with 18,000 residents in the surrounding suburbs. Stone Town’s unique blend of African, Arab, Indian, Persian, and European influences makes it a true cultural crossroads, full of fascinating stories and hidden corners. Your guide will adapt the tour to your interests, whether you enjoy history, architecture, culture, or shopping. Hear captivating stories, some amusing, some sobering, about life in Stone Town past and present. Stroll through bustling markets, colorful streets, intricately carved doors, and enjoy lively coffee culture and local textiles. At the end of your journey through Stone Town’s heritage, you’ll be returned to your starting point, appreciating why every street tells a story of Zanzibar’s rich and diverse.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable

Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral in Stone Town, Tanzania, is a historic Anglican cathedral built on the site of a former slave market. Constructed between 1873 and 1894 by the Universities’ Mission to Central Africa, it features striking Gothic-style architecture with white coral stone walls, pointed arches, and a prominent bell tower. Inside, visitors can see a memorial to the abolition of slavery and a small museum showcasing artifacts of Zanzibar’s history. The cathedral is a key cultural and historical landmark, offering insight into the island’s colonial past and the legacy of the slave trade. Christ Church Cathedral in Stone Town, Tanzania, is a historic Anglican cathedral built on the site of a former slave market. Completed in 1894, it features Gothic-style architecture with white coral stone walls and a bell tower. Inside, a memorial and museum tell the story of Zanzibar’s history and the abolition of slavery.

40 minutes • Admission Not Included

What‘s Included

Professional tour guide

Pick up from Stone town hotels: (Please request and send us a message in advance)

Transfers from other part of the island (tour start in stone town)

Tips/Gratuities for the guide

Any cost of personal nature

Options

Private without entrance fees

Reviews

5.00

63 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Stone Town's history and secrets
Richard E,,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
What a fabulous walking tour of Stone Town. My guide Ahmad had so much knowledge and stories to share. You simply must take the guided tour to enjoy the full experience and uncover the secrets of Stone Town's past.
Stone Town's history and secrets
Meander788739,,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What a fabulous walking tour of historic Stone Town. My guide Ahmad had so much knowledge about the town and its history, information you simply won't know unless you take the guided tour.
Amazing walking tour
dieserpey,,Feb 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Ahmed is a great guide! He explained a lot about the history of Stone Town and Zanzibar in general. Also he showed us all important and impressive places in Stone Town.
A grest guide
Sandra S,,Feb 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
We booked the tour last minute however this was not a problem. Having booked the tour and established where our ships shuttle bus was dropping us off, I messaged our guide. Ahmad was really quick to respond and happily changed our meeting point to fit in with our shuttle bus drop off point. It all literally happened within a few minutes. Ahmad was at our arranged meeting point today,and took us on a great walking tour of Stonetown. He was incredibly informative and his English was good. He not only gave us the history of Zanzibar but filled in the gaps in our knowledge of Tanzania. We spent 3 very hot but really interesting hours winding in and out of the historic town, pausing for photos and generally having a great time. We would thoroughly recommend Ahmad if youre looking for an informative walking tour of Stonetown.
History and culture with courtesy
profjohncoyne,,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
An excellent visit with a guide that was punctual, personable and extremely informative - with a clear specialism and interest in history and culture. We had a full three hours with the chance for questions and discussion that went well beyond the ‘point and show’ style of some guides. It is an easy walk but the alleyways of stone town need local knowledge to avoid getting lost or going round in circles. Cannot praise our guide highly enough.
Very interesting and good tour!
patrickkO6792WG,,Jan 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Stone Town has a long and colorful history. Lamahmad - the guide - made a really great job and explained a lot. I really can recommend this!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fantastic Stone Town Tour with Ahmad
salumk746,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had an amazing Stone Town tour with Ahmad as our guide. He is very knowledgeable about the history, culture, and hidden stories of Stone Town, and he explained everything clearly and in an engaging way. Walking through the narrow streets felt even more special thanks to his insights and local knowledge. Ahmad was friendly, patient, and well-organized, making the tour smooth and enjoyable from start to finish. He took us to important landmarks as well as lesser-known spots, and he was always happy to answer our questions. I highly recommend Ahmad to anyone visiting Stone Town who wants an informative, relaxed, and authentic experience. Thank you, Ahmad, for a wonderful tour!
Highly Recommended Stone Town Walking Tour
elizabethwA3824BW,,Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Excellent tour and highly recommend! Ahmed was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot about the city and Zanzibar. Perfect way to start our time in Zanzibar
The Best Zanzibar History Tour
Hema R,,Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We really loved the tour with Ahmed! He took us around to many places and also was super knowledgeable in the history of Zanzibar. We highly suggest booking with Ahmed if you are looking to learn about the history of Zanzibar and learn new things about Zanzibar.
Learned a lot!
jilln81,,Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Ahmad was such a knowledgeable and friendly guide for our walking tour of stone town. We saw a lot and learned a lot of history during our tour. Thank you so much!