Top Zanzibar Day Tour Spice Plantations + Stone Town Guided

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Stone Town

  Discover the historic heart of Zanzibar on a personalized walking tour of Stone Town. Explore iconic landmarks, delve into the city's rich history, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of local markets. Venture beyond Stone Town to a nearby spice farm. Learn about traditional farming techniques, harvest spices, and immerse yourself in the sensory delights of Zanzibar's aromatic plants and fruits. Our private tours offer a unique opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation for Zanzibar's culture, history, and natural beauty.

  1 hour • Admission ticket free
• 2

  Visit the Anglican Cathedral of Christ Church, built directly over the old slave market. You'll stand where slaves were once auctioned and hear the stories that shaped this site — including the altar built above the former whipping post. Descend into the original slave chambers, where enslaved people were held before being sold. These small, dark underground rooms will give you a sobering sense of the conditions they endured. Explore the Slavery Exhibition Museum, featuring archival photographs, documents, and life-size sculptures that bring the history to life. You’ll learn about the Arab slave traders, the role of missionaries and abolitionists, and Zanzibar’s position in the wider trade network. Reflect at the slave memorial, a haunting sculpture of chained figures that has become an iconic symbol of remembrance and resilience.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 3

  Walk through the fresh produce market, where vendors pile high tropical fruits, leafy greens, and exotic spices. Your guide will explain the use of local ingredients in Zanzibari cuisine and help you taste seasonal favorites. Explore the fish and meat sections, where the day’s catch from the Indian Ocean is on display. It’s raw and real — a glimpse into local trade and daily life. Step into the spice and dry goods stalls, where bags of cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg fill the air with their scent. You'll learn how these spices shaped Zanzibar's history and economy. Discover local crafts and household goods, from woven baskets and colorful fabrics to street snacks and everyday essentials. Your guide will point out unique items and help you interact with the friendly shopkeepers. Enjoy street food tastings (optional), like fresh chapati, urojo (Zanzibar mix), or spiced tea, as you wander the market lanes.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4

  Tour the historic stone walls and towers of the Old Fort, built by the Omanis in the late 1600s to defend against Portuguese and local threats. Walk along its ramparts and imagine life during Zanzibar’s turbulent past. Learn about the fort’s many lives, from military stronghold to prison, railway depot, and now a lively cultural center. Visit the open-air amphitheater, where local music, dance, and festivals (like Sauti za Busara) take place. Your guide will share how the fort has transformed into a hub of Zanzibari arts and creativity. Explore local artisan stalls within the fort’s courtyard, offering handmade jewelry, wood carvings, textiles, and paintings. You’ll have time to browse, shop, and speak with the artists. Discover hidden historical details, such as Swahili and Arabic inscriptions, reused coral stones, and ancient cannon remnants.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 5

  Visit the building believed to be Freddie Mercury’s childhood home, located near the old post office in the heart of Stone Town. While it’s now a small museum and souvenir shop, the site is filled with photographs, memorabilia, and stories about his early years. View rare photographs from Freddie’s childhood, early schooling in Zanzibar, and family life before he moved to India and eventually the UK. Hear untold stories from your local guide about Freddie's Parsi-Zoroastrian roots, Zanzibar's multicultural society, and the blend of influences that may have shaped his artistic spirit. Explore the surrounding neighborhood, including the markets and streets young Freddie would have walked. You’ll also learn how Zanzibar’s diverse culture and colonial history influenced his upbringing. Pose for a photo at the famous “Freddie Mercury House” sign — a popular stop for Queen fans around the world.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 6

  Stroll through Forodhani Gardens as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean. The park comes alive with locals and travelers, street performers, children playing, and food stalls setting up for the night. Explore the vibrant night food market, where dozens of vendors grill, fry, and serve up delicious Swahili and Zanzibari dishes right before your eyes. Watch flames rise from grills, smell the spices in the air, and hear the lively buzz of conversation and sizzling pans. Taste local specialties like: Zanzibar pizza – a unique savory-sweet fried treat Mishkaki – grilled meat skewers Urojo (Zanzibar mix) – a tangy soup of fritters, potatoes, and chutney Seafood platters – including lobster, prawns, octopus, and fish Fresh sugarcane juice and spiced tea Get insider tips from your guide on how to choose the best stalls and try dishes safely and deliciously, like a local. They’ll also share cultural insights and stories behind the food and the people.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 7

  Explore the maze-like layout of this historic bathhouse, including the old hot and cold rooms, washing chambers, steam rooms, and intricate water channels designed to regulate temperature — all built with coral stone and lime. Admire the fusion of architectural styles, combining Persian design with Swahili and Omani elements, showcasing Zanzibar’s rich cultural mix. Learn how the baths once functioned, who used them, and the rituals of hygiene, beauty, and socializing in 19th-century Zanzibar. Though no longer operational, the structure still tells a vivid story of past luxury. Hear local legends and historical context from your guide — including how water was heated and carried, and the roles of attendants who worked behind the scenes. Take photos in this atmospheric space, filled with arched doorways, narrow corridors, and soft natural light — perfect for travelers who enjoy history, architecture, or hidden gems.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 8

  Admire the grand exterior of the House of Wonders, with its towering columns, spacious balconies, and traditional carved doors. Learn why it earned its name as the "House of Wonders." Step into a place where innovation met tradition, and discover how this palace represented the Sultan’s vision for a modern Zanzibar influenced by Arab, European, and Swahili cultures. Explore the museum exhibits (if open and accessible), showcasing: Traditional Swahili dhow models and maritime history Sultanate-era artifacts and royal regalia Items that tell the story of Zanzibar’s trade, colonialism, and cultural fusion Enjoy panoramic views of Stone Town’s harbor and rooftops from the upper levels (subject to restoration status and access), imagining the city as it was in the late 19th century. Hear rich storytelling from your guide about the Sultans of Zanzibar, the building’s transformation over time, and its cultural significance today.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 9

  Wander through the lively street food stalls and hidden food corners of Stone Town, guided by a local foodie who knows where to find the best bites — from bustling market lanes to lesser-known gems loved by residents. Taste a variety of authentic Zanzibari snacks and dishes, such as: Zanzibar pizza – a crispy, savory-sweet stuffed treat made fresh before your eyes Urojo soup (Zanzibar mix) – a flavorful, tangy street-side soup made with fritters, potatoes, mango chutney, and coconut Mishkaki – spiced meat skewers grilled over open flames Vitumbua – soft, sweet coconut rice cakes Zanzibar chai – fragrant, spiced tea served hot Fresh sugarcane juice or seasonal tropical fruit juices Learn the stories behind the food — your guide will explain the origins of each dish, how it’s prepared, and what it means in Zanzibari culture. Meet local vendors and chefs, get tips on how to eat like a local, and understand the customs around food sharing and community eating.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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