Old Fort

As the oldest building in the Stone Town district, the Old Fort is among the most popular attractions. The Omani people built this protective fortress in the late 1600s to ward off attacks from Portuguese fleets. Take a tour of the high-walled structure and courtyard to learn about its many uses over the centuries.

Capture photos of the tall brown walls of the fort, which is flanked by tropical trees and has a view of the Indian Ocean. Watch one of the live dance and music recitals that take place in the open-air amphitheater. The courtyard also has a restaurant, where you can pause for a meal with a historic backdrop. Go to the information desk and chat with the docents to hear about scheduled performances and arrange a guided tour of the fort.

Find out about the rich history of this site, which was used as a prison and place of execution. Later, British colonists converted it into a ladies’ tennis club.

Attend the Sauti za Busara music concert and the Festival of the Dhow Countries, which is the island’s main film event. Explore the various restored rooms, which contain the offices of the Zanzibar Cultural Center. In the heart of the courtyard is a market area, often adorned with stalls displaying a range of crafts.

Note that the site is also known as the Ngome Kongwe and the Arab Fort, in reference to its construction by the Busaidi Omani Arabs. It opens to the public for free daily from morning until late evening.

The Old Fort is in the heart of the Stone Town historic district on the western cape of Zanzibar City. It abuts the Forodhani Gardens, which overlook the Indian Ocean. Go to other sights in the area, such as the House of Wonders, the Beit-el-Sahel and the Hamamni Persian Baths.