Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1
Kidichi Persian BathsA4
2
Livingstone HouseD1
3
Maruhubi PalaceD1
Mbweni(see 5)
4
Mtoni PalaceD1
Sleeping
5
Mbweni Ruins HotelD2
6
Mtoni Marine CentreD1
Eating
Mcheza Bar(see 6)
Mtoni Marine Centre(see 6)
Raintree Restaurant(see 5)
Drinking
Mcheza Bar(see 6)
Zanzibar Town
Zanzibar Town, on the western side of the island, is the heart of the archipelago, and the
first stop for most travellers. The best-known section by far is the old Stone Town
(Mji
Mkongwe)
, surrounded on three sides by the sea and bordered to the east by Creek Rd.
Directly east of Stone Town is the bustling, less atmospheric section of Ng'ambo, which
you'll pass through en route to the beaches.
SIGHTS
If Zanzibar Town is the archipelago's heart, Stone Town is its soul, with a jumble of al-
leyways where it's easy to spend days wandering around and getting lost - although you
can't get lost for long because, sooner or later, you'll end up on either the seafront or Creek
Rd. Nevertheless, each twist and turn of the narrow streets brings something new, be it a
school full of children chanting verses from the Quran, an old mansion with overhanging
verandahs or a coffee vendor with his long-spouted pot fastened over coals, clacking cups
to attract custom. Along the way, watch the island's rich cultural melange come to life:
Arabic-style houses with their recessed inner courtyards rub shoulders with Indian-influen-
ced buildings boasting ornate balconies and latticework, and bustling oriental bazaars al-
ternate with streetside vending stalls.
While the best part of Stone Town is simply letting it unfold before you, it's worth put-
ting in an effort to see some of its major features.
