Stone Town is one of those places that could have us waxing lyrical for days. Making up the most famed half of Zanzibar City, this labyrinth-like, historical quarter is a cultural melting pot, packed full to the brim of ancient trading-hub secrets. Forget all the cliches of powder white sands and turquoise waters that lure tourists to the archipelago's beaches, this is Zanzibar at its most authentic.
Chaotic and crumbling, Stone Town won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But accept the loss of personal space – the narrow alleyways can get pretty packed – learn to be hardened to pushy street sellers and embrace the quarter’s all-round assault on the senses, and it won’t be long before you fall in love with Stone Town’s quirks just as much as we already have. This UNESCO World Heritage Site’s hotchpotch exoticism is infectious, that’s for sure.
It’s here that the island’s mishmashed rhythms really find their beat. Calls to prayer intermingle with the shouts of market vendors, potent perfumes and sumptuous spice smells are only interrupted by the stench from a smattering of fresh fish stalls and the heady concoction is completed by a jumble of enchanting buildings – here you’ll find the very best of Islamic, Persian, Indian, Swahili and European architecture all in one place. Oh, and lets not forget the doors. Elaborately carved, impressive in size and concealing a whole lot of history, your Instagram is about to get quite #doortrait heavy.
With its faded grandeur and bustling bazaars, Stone Town really is Zanzibar’s answer to Marrakech’s Medina. Still-ornate merchant houses are derelict, tired shop facades are offset by colourful wares and fairytale balconies jut out from dilapidated mansions. With whole centuries worth of stories making up its urban fabric, a wander here is much like stepping back in time. Never has decay looked so beautiful.