Stone Town is one of the most affordable urban destinations in Tanzania, with a dense offering of accommodation and restaurants across all budgets.
Accommodation covers the full range. Hostels: Ground Zero Hostel (€15-30/night dorm), Lost & Found Hostel (€12-25/night). Guesthouses: Funguni Palace Hotel (€35-60/night). Mid-range boutique hotels: Tembo House Hotel (€90-140/night), Shaba Boutique Hotel (€60-100/night). Premium charm boutique hotels: Emerson Spice (€120-220/night), Emerson on Hurumzi (€150-300/night), Zanzibar Serena Inn (€200-350/night). Absolute luxury: Park Hyatt Zanzibar (€350-600/night).
Catering is one of Tanzania's best value-for-money. A meal in a local canteen runs €5-10 with drink. At Forodhani night market, count €10-15 for a complete and copious dinner. Tourist restaurants bill €20-35 per dish. The reference gastronomic restaurant is The Tea House at €40-60/person.
Paid sites are few and inexpensive: former slave market 8 USD/person, Palace Museum 6 USD, Freddie Mercury house 5 USD. Total entries: 20-25 USD/person for essentials.
A standard 2-night Stone Town stay all-inclusive (mid-range hotel, mix local/tourist restaurants, major sites, 1 excursion) runs €200-350/person. For 3 nights with premium hotel and complete activities, €400-700/person.
Read also
- Zanzibar archipelago — Stone Town, Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje, Mafia: complete Swahili archipelago guide.
- Nungwi, the paradise northern tip — White sand beach, turquoise lagoon and traditional dhows, 1h30 from Stone Town.
- Tanzania — Full country guide: safari, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar and formalities.
- The Northern Circuit safari — Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire: to combine naturally with Zanzibar.