A First-Timer's Guide to Stone Town

Stone Town rewards slow exploration on foot. Its narrow alleys are easy to get lost in, which is part of the appeal, but a guided walking tour on the first day helps orient you to landmarks like the old fort, the House of Wonders, and the former slave market site. A visit to a spice farm just outside town is a common half-day add-on, tracing the island's history as a major producer of cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Evenings are best spent at the waterfront night market near Forodhani Gardens.