Recommendations for Stonetown

[Candystore]

Anyone who has been to Stonetown, Zanzibar, before, can you recommend accommodation?

We would like to explore the city streets, markets, etc. but also get to the ocean.

 

[Napalm2880]

I had a great stay at Karafu which is on the opposite (eastern) side of Zanzibar about an hours drive from Stone Town. I think most of the accomodation within Stone Town is more 'backpackers' as opposed to 'beach resort'. If you haven't been to Zanzibar before, Stone Town isn't large and you can cover quite a bit in a day or two. I'd recommend staying outside of the town and catching a shuttle bus in. Some things you should do while you're there:

Safari Blue (about 30min from Stone Town) best snorkling I've ever done.
http://safariblue.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/SafariBlueBrochure.pdf

The Markets
Prepare your nostrils. Everything from safron and nutmeg to dried octopus and cow heads on hooks.

Christ Church - rather run down but if you appreciate architecture / history of the slaves, you'll find this interesting.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_Church,_Zanzibar

Spice Tour - there are quite a few different ones. This was one of the best/most interesting things I did whilst in Zanzibar.

Zanzibar Doors - throughout town they have the most incredible carved wooden doors. makes for some good photos.

Freddy Mercury's house - nothing really to see except for his front door.

Take as much anti-mosquito stuff as you can. The anti-mozzie bands from Sportsmans or Mr Price sport worked surprisingly well. All the tours work in dollars. Try get some other guests to join from your hotel and you can often negotiate a discounted 'group rate'. The markets etc. use their local currency. Also, when booking your accomodation, try get an 'all inclusive' or 'drinks inclusive' deal. You'll get a range of cocktails and local beers for free and untapped at your hotel. If you drink like me then this could save you thousands.

 

[halfmoonforever]

be prepared for hordes of begging children

 

[JimmyRott]

What is your budget? I live in the area and could advise.

 

[scudsucker]

Don't go to Pemba (the northern island) unless you are really rich. There's not much backpacker style accomodation; it's expensive and hard to find.

If you go take cash; all the ATMS accept only locall cards. (Obviously in a fancy resort you can pay with any card)

But that said, it's really beautiful and so, so less developed than Zanzibar, so if you are very adventurous it is worthwhile.

You are not allowed to camp but the chances of being caught are near zero

 

[JimmyRott]

I had a great stay at Karafu which is on the opposite (eastern) side of Zanzibar about an hours drive from Stone Town. I think most of the accomodation within Stone Town is more 'backpackers' as opposed to 'beach resort'. If you haven't been to Zanzibar before, Stone Town isn't large and you can cover quite a bit in a day or two. I'd recommend staying outside of the town and catching a shuttle bus in. Some things you should do while you're there:

Safari Blue (about 30min from Stone Town) best snorkling I've ever done.
http://safariblue.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/SafariBlueBrochure.pdf

The Markets
Prepare your nostrils. Everything from safron and nutmeg to dried octopus and cow heads on hooks.

Christ Church - rather run down but if you appreciate architecture / history of the slaves, you'll find this interesting.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_Church,_Zanzibar

Spice Tour - there are quite a few different ones. This was one of the best/most interesting things I did whilst in Zanzibar.

Zanzibar Doors - throughout town they have the most incredible carved wooden doors. makes for some good photos.

Freddy Mercury's house - nothing really to see except for his front door.

Take as much anti-mosquito stuff as you can. The anti-mozzie bands from Sportsmans or Mr Price sport worked surprisingly well. All the tours work in dollars. Try get some other guests to join from your hotel and you can often negotiate a discounted 'group rate'. The markets etc. use their local currency. Also, when booking your accomodation, try get an 'all inclusive' or 'drinks inclusive' deal. You'll get a range of cocktails and local beers for free and untapped at your hotel. If you drink like me then this could save you thousands.

Most of this is good advice.

Safari Blue is a really nice professionally run operation. The snorkeling is good but by no means the best on the island. The best place for snorkeling (assuming you can't free dive to 20m) is without a doubt at Chumbe Island. This is a nice day trip and should cost about 90$ pp. It only runs when the resort on Chumbe is not fully booked. Staying on Chumbe Island is also a great experience and is said to be the only place in the area where you can still see coconut crabs. If my previous assumption was incorrect and you are fairly adept at free diving then I would recommend just taking snorkeling trips to Mnemba Atoll.

The rest of his post is spot on except for the part about Mercury's house. As far as I have been able to tell no one is exactly sure where Freddy Mercury's house was. Depending on who is showing you around they could take you to one of several places. Most of these places are A) not his actual house and B) not worth visiting. The Mercury's restaurant has a great location but some of the worst food on the island (in the world maybe).

Also, do not take Malaria medication. I know people that have lived here for over a decade and have yet to get Malaria.

Depending on how long you are coming it may be worth spending a day to get a proper local drivers license. Depending on how good you are at bargaining you could get this done for R300-R400. It will allow you to drive around the island, face less harassment from the police and get discount on accommodation and tours at certain places.

Let me know what your budget is for accommodation and I can make recommendations. You are welcome to pm me as well if you need any additional information/help.