Old Fort Travel Guide: Top Sights in Tanzania, Tours & Travel Advice

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Old Fort- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Historical & Cultural; Tanzania; 5 Reviews

+1 Photos

Suggested Duration: 2 hours

The Old Fort, also known as Boma la Kale or the Arab Fort, is the oldest standing structure in Stone Town, Zanzibar. Built in 1699 by Omani Arabs following the expulsion of the Portuguese, the fort originally served as a defensive stronghold and later functioned as a prison, barracks, and railway depot during the early 20th century. Located on the seafront next to the House of Wonders and facing Forodhani Gardens, the fort features thick stone walls with battlements surrounding a central courtyard that contains remnants of earlier Portuguese and Omani constructions. Today, the Old Fort serves as a cultural and tourism hub in the heart of Stone Town. Its courtyard houses craft stalls, a restaurant, and an open-air amphitheatre used for live performances and major cultural events, including the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) and Sauti za Busara music festival. As both a historical monument and an active cultural venue, the Old Fort offers visitors a chance to engage with Zanzibar's layered history and contemporary arts scene in one of the city's most iconic coastal settings.

Old Fort Tours

Tanzania

Historical Stone Town Tour

Tour by: Zanzibar Treasure Tour & Safaris Forodhani Gardens, St. Joseph Cathedral, Freddie Mercury Museum, Old Fort, House of Wonders, Anglican Cathedral, People's Palace, Darajani Bazaar 1 Days · Mid-range

From 28＄ pp

Operators offering tours in Tanzania

Attractions in Zanzibar

Stone Town

Forodhani Gardens

3.4

Prison Island

Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park

4.8

Paje Beach

4.8

Nungwi Beach

Nakupenda Beach

4.6

Rock Restaurant

Reviews of Old Fort

Azizul Goni

4
Reviewed: 2025-06-15

During the day it's just another beach front walk, but night you get to watch the sunset, and the area transforms into a food market. Try the shawarma stalls, cheap and well worth the money. We really liked the guy asking chicken tikka shawarma. The guys selling mixture of meat and fish stick are more expensive.
Khaled Abdou

3
Reviewed: 2025-05-19

Just shops Was expecting more after renovation You enter and you only finds local shops I think they will start do some events in it as there is a theatre Not Wheelchair accessible at all Wheelchair entrance is not available Parking is available for a fee Entrance is for free (for now)
Kamal Seif

4
Reviewed: 2025-03-01

It’s seen better days, I hope they do some massive restoration work to keep the history of this place. Worth a visit if you are in the area just for the historical significance.
Nando Gigaba

4
Reviewed: 2025-01-16

The location has been transformed into a market, and there is an art school there. Unfortunately, I couldn’t take any photos of the school because photography is not allowed. Historically, I believe this place lost the significance it once had when it served as a prison in the 20th century.
Matthias G

4
Reviewed: 2024-12-21

No cost. Takes 5 minutes to walk through. Loads of sales. Impressive structure. Really a must to see and takes virtually no time. Do it.