What are the best things to do in Stone Town?
Top picks in Stone Town include Old Fort, Palace Museum, Anglican Cathedral, Malindi Mosque. See the full list and itinerary on this Stone Town travel guide.
Why visit Stone Town
Travel guide for Stone Town, Tanzania — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Stone Town is a stop in Tanzania, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 2 days. If time is short, prioritise Old Fort, Palace Museum, Anglican Cathedral instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 50–140 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: The dry season for the most comfortable travel. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
The dry season for the most comfortable travel
Weather
Largely warm year-round with distinct wet and dry seasons
Experiences
Things to do in Stone Town
1
Old Fort
2
Palace Museum
3
Anglican Cathedral
4
Malindi Mosque
Budget travel
Free things to do in Stone Town
Anglican Cathedral
Malindi Mosque
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Stone Town itinerary (2 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Old Fort
- Visit Palace Museum
- Visit Anglican Cathedral
- Eat at Mercury's Restaurant
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Malindi Mosque
- Eat at House of Spices
Budget
Stone Town trip cost
Budget
USD 25–45
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 50–140
per person / day
Luxury
USD 160–265+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Stone Town, Tanzania. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Stone Town
Estimated total (USD)
$2,180
≈ $1,090 per person · $311 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $95/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Stone Town mid-range ground costs (budget 25–45 · mid 50–140 · luxury 160–265+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Mercury's Restaurant
House of Spices
Tatu
Beyt al Chai Restaurant
The Silk Route
Mtoni Marine Restaurant
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Zanzibar Lodge (Njila guest house)
Funguni Palace Hotel
Malindi Guest House Hotel
Coco del mer
Flamingo Guest House
Shopping
- Mitus Spice Tour
- Halai's
Nightlife
- Mercury's Restaurant
- Serena Hotel
- Botanic Country Resort
Museums & culture
- Palace Museum
- Anglican Cathedral
- Malindi Mosque
In pictures
Stone Town gallery
Photos: No machine-readable author provided. Mbz1 assumed (based on copyright claims)., Richard Mohun, Willem van der Horst, This photo was taken by Anton Zelenov. Please credit this with : Photo : Anton Zelenov in the immediate vicinity of the image. If you use one of my photos, plea, Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, Muhammad Mahdi Karim — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Stone Town travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Stone Town?
The dry season for the most comfortable travel.
How many days do I need in Stone Town?
Plan at least 2 days in Stone Town for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Stone Town?
Popular stays in Stone Town include Zanzibar Lodge (Njila guest house), Funguni Palace Hotel, Malindi Guest House Hotel. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Stone Town cost?
On the ground in Stone Town (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 25–45 per person per day, mid-range about 50–140, and luxury about 160–265+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Stone Town, Tanzania. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
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