1-Day Stone Town & Spice Farm Tour, Zanzibar
From $175 / person (solo traveller)
What Will You See on the Stone Town and Spice Tour?
UNESCO World Heritage Site
UNESCO lists Stone Town as an outstanding example of a Swahili coastal trading town
Working Spice Plantation
See how cloves, cinnamon, vanilla and cardamom grow, and taste them fresh
Iconic Carved Doors
Hundreds of carved wooden doors, many with Arab and Indian designs
Freddie Mercury Birthplace
Pass the house on Kenyatta Road linked to Freddie Mercury, born in Zanzibar in 1946
Darajani Market
Stone Town's main market for spices, fish, fruit and everyday goods
Authentic Zanzibari Lunch
Swahili coastal dishes at a local restaurant
How Much Does the Stone Town and Spice Farm Tour Cost?
Price Per Person by Group Size
Full-day excursion, no overnight stay · Pick-up from 8:30 AM
| Group Size | 1 Person | 2 People | 3 People | 4 People | 5+ People |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per person | $175 | $115 | $95 | $85 | $85Lowest rate |
Transport and guiding costs are shared, so the price per person falls as your group grows. Prices cover everything under Includes; there is no overnight stay.
What Does the Tour Include and Who Is It For?
Stone Town is the historic heart of Zanzibar City and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where narrow alleys, carved wooden doors and coral-stone buildings reflect centuries of Swahili, Arab, Persian, Indian and European influence. Your guide explains the main landmarks: the Old Fort, Christ Church Cathedral, built on the site of the last open slave market in East Africa, the Sultan's Palace and the house on Kenyatta Road linked to Freddie Mercury. For more on the island, see our Zanzibar guide.
In the afternoon the tour moves inland to a working spice farm, the reason Zanzibar is called the Spice Island. Your guide shows you cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, cardamom, turmeric and black pepper growing on the plant, and invites you to smell and taste each one.
The tour suits cruise passengers with one day in port, travellers ending a Tanzania safari with time in Zanzibar, and anyone with a short island stay. It is one of our four Zanzibar day tours.
| Departure Point | Your hotel or Zanzibar Airport |
| Departure Time | Pick-up from 8:30 AM |
| Group Size | Private tour · up to 10 guests |
| Languages | English and Swahili-speaking local guides |
| Includes |
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| Excludes |
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What Happens on the Day? Stone Town and Spice Farm Itinerary
This is a full day of about 7–8 hours: a Stone Town walking tour in the morning, a spice farm visit and lunch in the afternoon, and a return to your hotel between about 4:00 and 5:00 PM. Times are approximate and depend on where you are staying.
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8:30 AM · Hotel Pick-Up
Your guide collects you from your accommodation. If you are staying outside Stone Town, we confirm your exact pick-up time when you book. Pick-up from Zanzibar Airport is also possible.
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Morning · Old Fort and the Waterfront
The walk begins at the Old Fort, built by the Omani Arabs around 1700, beside the Forodhani Gardens on the seafront. From here you can see the House of Wonders, which has been under restoration.
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Morning · Christ Church and the Former Slave Market
Your guide explains the history of the East African slave trade at Christ Church Cathedral, built on the site of the last open slave market, which closed in 1873. Entry to the museum and memorial is optional (about $5).
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Late Morning · Darajani Market, Bazaars and Kenyatta Road
Continue through the bazaar streets to Darajani Market, Stone Town's main market for spices, fish and fruit, then along Kenyatta Road past the house linked to Freddie Mercury. The walk lasts about 2.5–3 hours in total, with stops in the shade.
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Afternoon · Spice Farm Tour and Tasting
A short drive inland takes you to a working spice farm. Your guide shows you how cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, black pepper and cardamom grow, and you smell and taste them fresh from the plant, along with seasonal tropical fruit.
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Late Afternoon · Lunch and Return
After a Swahili lunch at a local restaurant you return to your hotel, usually between 4:00 and 5:00 PM. If you are moving on to the north coast, we can drop you there instead.
Which Stone Town Landmarks Will You See?
The walking tour covers Stone Town's main historic sites: the Old Fort, the House of Wonders (seen from outside), Christ Church Cathedral and the former slave market, Darajani Market and Kenyatta Road. Stone Town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, and each stop shows a different layer of its history.
| Landmark | What it is | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe) | Coral-stone fort built by the Omani Arabs around 1700 | The oldest building in Stone Town, now a cultural space with craft stalls |
| House of Wonders (Beit al-Ajaib) | Ceremonial palace built in 1883 for Sultan Barghash | The first building in East Africa with electricity and a lift; partly collapsed in 2020 and under restoration |
| Christ Church Cathedral and slave market site | Anglican cathedral begun in 1873 on the site of the last open slave market | The most important memorial to the East African slave trade on the island |
| Darajani Market | Stone Town's main covered and street market | Everyday Zanzibari life: spices, fish, fruit and household goods |
| Carved doors | Hundreds of wooden doors throughout the old town | Arab-style doors have square tops; Indian-style doors have rounded tops and brass studs |
| Kenyatta Road (Mercury House) | Street in the old town with a house linked to Freddie Mercury | The Queen singer was born in Zanzibar in 1946 |
Opening hours and access to individual buildings can change, so your guide adjusts the route on the day. After the walk, the tour moves inland to the spice farm.
Which Spices Will You See on the Spice Farm Tour?
On the spice farm you see how Zanzibar's best-known spices grow, from clove trees to vanilla vines, and taste or smell each one. Cloves made Zanzibar wealthy in the 19th century, which is why the island is still called the Spice Island.
| Spice | Part of the plant | Common uses |
|---|---|---|
| Cloves | Dried flower buds of the clove tree | Cooking, spiced tea and clove oil |
| Nutmeg and mace | The seed (nutmeg) and its red covering (mace) | Baking, curries and pilau rice |
| Cinnamon | Inner bark of the cinnamon tree | Spiced tea, desserts and savoury dishes |
| Vanilla | Cured seed pods of a climbing orchid | Desserts and flavouring |
| Black pepper | Dried berries of a climbing vine | Seasoning almost every dish |
| Cardamom | Seed pods | Coffee, tea and sweets |
| Turmeric and ginger | Underground rhizomes | Curries, tea and traditional remedies |
| Lemongrass | Leaves and stalks | Herbal tea and cooking |
What you see depends on the season, as different plants flower and fruit at different times of year.
Private Stone Town Tour or Free Walking Tour: Which Should You Choose?
Tip-based "free" walking tours of Stone Town suit independent travellers already staying in town who want a short group walk. A private guided tour suits travellers who want hotel transport, a flexible pace and a fuller day, and this tour adds a spice farm and lunch.
| Typical free (tip-based) walking tour | This private tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | No fixed price; you tip the guide | $85–$175 per person, depending on group size |
| Group | Shared with other travellers | Your group only |
| Meeting point | Fixed time and place in Stone Town | Pick-up from your accommodation |
| Length | Usually around 2 hours, Stone Town only | Full day: Stone Town, spice farm and lunch |
| Pace and questions | Set by the group | Set by you; the guide adapts the route |
Whichever you choose, the next step is dressing for a walk in a conservative old town.
What Should You Wear and Bring?
Wear light clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, and comfortable shoes for uneven streets. Stone Town is a conservative, mainly Muslim community, and modest dress is respectful and avoids unwanted attention.
- Loose clothing covering shoulders and knees (a light scarf or shawl is useful)
- Comfortable walking shoes or sandals with good grip
- Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Insect repellent for the spice farm
- Some cash in US dollars or Tanzanian shillings for optional museum entry, market purchases and tips
- A refillable water bottle (bottled water is provided)
Local Etiquette in Stone Town
- Ask before photographing people, especially in the market
- During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in the street during daylight hours
- Dress modestly when visiting the cathedral and slave market memorial
- Bargaining is normal at market stalls, but keep it friendly
When Is the Best Time for a Stone Town Walking Tour?
The tour runs year-round, and the morning start is the most comfortable time of day for walking. June to October is cooler and drier, while December to March is hot and humid, although the narrow alleys provide shade along most of the route. During the long rains (roughly April and May) showers are common, but the walk still runs and the spice farm is at its greenest.
If you plan to stay a few days, our Zanzibar island guide explains what to see beyond Stone Town.
How Does This Tour Compare with Other Zanzibar Day Tours?
Choose this tour for history, culture and food. If you would rather see wildlife or spend the day on the water, one of our other day tours may suit you better.
| Day tour | Main stops | Best for | Price per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Town & Spice Farm (this tour) | Stone Town walking tour, spice farm | Culture and food | $85–$175 |
| Stone Town & Prison Island | Stone Town walking tour, giant tortoises | History plus wildlife | $100–$190 |
| Prison Island & Jozani | Giant tortoises, red colobus monkeys, mangroves | Wildlife lovers, families | $110–$200 |
| Safari Blue | Dhow sailing, snorkelling, sandbank seafood lunch | Ocean and snorkelling | $120–$210 |
Lower prices apply to groups of four or more; the higher figure is for a solo traveller. All four tours include hotel pick-up, a guide and lunch; the land tours are private, and Safari Blue shares its dhow with up to 12 guests. See every option on our 1-day Zanzibar tours page.
Stone Town and Spice Farm Tour: Frequently Asked Questions
The walking part takes about 2.5–3 hours at a relaxed pace, with stops in the shade. The whole day, including the spice farm and lunch, lasts about 7–8 hours, with pick-up from 8:30 AM and return between about 4:00 and 5:00 PM.
No. Free walking tours are shared group walks paid by tips, usually lasting around two hours. This is a private tour for your group only, with hotel pick-up, a spice farm visit and lunch included, priced at $85–$175 per person depending on group size.
Wear light clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, plus comfortable walking shoes. Stone Town is a conservative community, and modest dress is expected in the old town and at the cathedral.
No entrance fees are needed for the standard walking route. Optional paid sites, such as the slave market museum, charge small fees (typically $3–5) paid on the day. The House of Wonders has been under restoration, so your guide will confirm whether it is open.
Partly. Stone Town's streets are narrow and uneven, and most routes are not wheelchair accessible. Your guide can adapt the route to avoid the most difficult sections, but a reasonable level of walking fitness is needed. Please tell us about any mobility needs when booking.
The tour runs year-round. June to October is the most comfortable time for walking because it is cooler and drier. December to March is hot and humid, but Stone Town's tall buildings and narrow alleys give shade along most of the route.
Yes. The tour usually finishes between 4:00 and 5:00 PM, and if you are staying on the north coast (Nungwi or Kendwa) we can drop you there instead of returning to Stone Town. Please mention this when booking.
Yes. Tell us about any dietary requirements when you book, and we will arrange a suitable lunch.
Yes. Your group has its own guide and vehicle and is never combined with other guests. The tour runs for groups of up to 10 people, and the price per person falls as your group grows.
Cancellations made more than 7 days before the tour date receive a full refund. Cancellations within 7 days may incur a partial fee, depending on bookings already made on your behalf. We recommend travel insurance.