Zanzibar City

The capital of the Zanzibar archipelago off Tanzania's coast, the historic Spice Island city blended Arab, Persian, Indian, African, and European cultures over centuries into a unique architectural and social fabric.

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Served as the seat of the Sultanate of Zanzibar, ruled by a branch of Oman's Al Said dynasty

Stone Town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000

The House of Wonders was the first building in East Africa with electricity and an elevator

Birthplace of legendary singer Freddie Mercury in 1946

Historically famed for the spice trade in cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon

Zanzibar City is the capital of the Zanzibar archipelago, located on Unguja Island off the eastern coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. The island's strategic position on maritime trade routes made it a major hub for exchanging spices, ivory, and gold between East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and India for centuries, and it served as the seat of the Sultanate of Zanzibar, ruled by a branch of Oman's Al Said dynasty in the 19th century.

The Heart of Stone Town

At the city's center lies Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its narrow winding alleys and hand-carved wooden doors reflecting a blend of Arab, Indian, and Swahili styles. The district is home to the historic House of Wonders, the first building in East Africa to have electricity and an elevator, as well as the Old Fort, built by the Omanis in the 17th century.

Stone Town, the historic UNESCO-listed old quarter
The House of Wonders, the first building in East Africa with electricity and an elevator
The Old Fort, an Omani stronghold dating to the 17th century
Traditional spice markets that earned the island its nickname, «Spice Island»

Legendary British singer Freddie Mercury was born here in 1946 before his family later emigrated, and the city remains today a vibrant blend of Swahili and Arab heritage, as well as a key gateway for coastal tourism in Zanzibar.