District in Zanzibar, Tanzania
Stone Town
UNESCO old town of carved doors, narrow alleys, markets and a nightly harbor food market. Easy on foot and good for culture; hot, noisy, and night-time bag snatching is a real risk.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$1,060–1,810Comfortable, one person · TSh2.8M–4.8MDetails
- Value for money46/100Better value than 45% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJan–Feb, Jun–OctWarmest: Mar, 30°CDetails
- Internet41 MbpsFixed broadband, Tanzania medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDo not drink tap water or use ice from street stalls.Details
- LGBTQ+1/5DangerousDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$15–38Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundBoltVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashCash dominates.Details
Where to stay in Stone Town
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Shangani | Waterfront hotels, restaurants and Forodhani Gardens |
| Kiponda and Mkunazini | Quieter alleys, local guesthouses, cheaper stays |
| Malindi | Port area, budget hotels and hostels; livelier, grubbier |
| Mizingani Road | Seafront, sunset views and rooftop stays |
Apps that work in Stone Town
Food delivery apps don't cover this area.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- M-Pesa: Mobile money payments
- SGR tickets (TRC): Dar–Morogoro–Dodoma electric train
- Taxis: Agree taxi prices first, and keep small notes. Hotels can arrange trusted drivers for airport and beach trips.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Tanzania.
- Mostly cash Cash dominates. ATMs (CRDB, NMB, Stanbic) are in town but sometimes empty; upmarket hotels and tour firms take cards, often with a surcharge.
- Currency: Shilling (TZS). US$1 ≈ TSh2,648.20 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Use ATMs inside banks (CRDB, NMB, Stanbic) in towns; they sometimes run out of cash, and parks have none.
- Tipping: Tips are a big part of safari and Kilimanjaro crew pay; follow operator guidelines. Round up or add 10% in restaurants.
- Paying by phone: Register M-Pesa (Vodacom) or Airtel Money with your passport; tap-to-pay is limited outside upmarket places.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Apply for the e-visa at visa.immigration.go.tz before travel; single-entry visas are also sold on arrival at main airports and borders.
- From October 2026 mainland arrivals need NIC inbound travel insurance (about US$44, up to 92 days); Zanzibar-first arrivals buy ZIC's policy instead.
- Show a return or onward ticket at the border. Plastic bags are confiscated on arrival.
Emergency numbers
All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type D, G · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Vodacom and Airtel kiosks at Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar airports; passport and fingerprint registration required. Coverage in parks is patchy. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Tanzania
Going to Stone Town solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.