Is Stone Town safe?
Pleasant by day and near Forodhani at night. Bag snatching from motorbikes and robberies in dark alleys happen; take taxis late and keep phones and bags secured.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- US travel advisory: Level 3: Reconsider travel, updated 2025-10-30.
- Homicide rate in Tanzania: 3.7 per 100,000 people (2020, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Tanzania: 31.1 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: All emergencies 112.
Safety in Stone Town at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Bag and phone snatching, pickpocketing in markets, and night-time robberies in poorly lit alleys. Touts and hawkers are persistent but rarely violent. |
| At night | The Forodhani area and main lanes are busy until about 10 pm. After that take a taxi; do not walk the alleys alone. |
| Solo women | Harassment and persistent touts are common. Dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees), avoid dark alleys alone and use trusted taxis at night. |
| Other risks | Alleys flood in heavy Mar–May rains; Power cuts in the evening; Uneven pavements, scooters and hand-carts in lanes |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Touts claiming a hotel is full and steering you elsewhere
- 'Free' spice or Prison Island tours that require payment
- Unlicensed guides asking for deposits at the ferry terminal
Take care
- Back alleys late at night
- Forodhani and Mizingani Road after the market closes
- Wearing bags on the street side
- Beach near Mbweni alone after dark
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Filming or sharing protest footage is illegal, and police may search phones.
- Zanzibar can fine visitors US$700 or more for 'inappropriate' clothing in public.
- Exporting shells, horns or other animal products without a permit can lead to arrest.
How Stone Town compares in Tanzania
Quick answers
Is Stone Town safe for solo female travelers?
Harassment and persistent touts are common. Dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees), avoid dark alleys alone and use trusted taxis at night.
Is Stone Town safe at night?
The Forodhani area and main lanes are busy until about 10 pm. After that take a taxi; do not walk the alleys alone.
What is the crime rate in Stone Town?
Bag and phone snatching, pickpocketing in markets, and night-time robberies in poorly lit alleys. Touts and hawkers are persistent but rarely violent. Nationally, Tanzania records 3.7 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2020).
What number do I call in an emergency in Stone Town?
All emergencies 112.
More about Stone Town
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Zanzibar Tourism Commission
- Azam Marine
- UNESCO World Heritage: Stone Town of Zanzibar
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.