More than twenty thousand people have lived on the islands of Zanzibar. Since then, the centre has been Stone Town, which has been transformed from a fishing town into a commercial centre.
Due to its natural protection and economic importance throughout history, the influence of many cultures can still be felt. European, British, Indian and Arab peoples have taken turns as the island’s main colonialist. All this mix of cultures can still be felt in the city, which is the centre of Zanzibar as a whole. Stone Town is so important that it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. The town centre is home to around 20 000 people who work in tourism. In Stone Town it is worth seeing the whole town, the old buildings and the fortresses. There is also Freddie Mercury’s birthplace and a museum dedicated to one of the greatest musicians of all time. Stone Town’s charm lies among the streets and squares, where the island’s homeliness is on display. There is much to learn about history in the many museums around the city, most notably the Slavery Museum.