Get lost in Stone Town, the archipelago's capital.

Once you've spent hours lazing on the archipelago's fine sandy beaches, it's time to discover the many riches of its historical, architectural and cultural heritage.

Let's take a stroll through the streets of Stone Town, also known as "Mji Mkongwe" in Swahili, which means nothing other than "old town". A landmark in its own right, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

A port and trading town, it made its mark in the 18th century, taking advantage of its strategic position between East and West to grow rich on the spice trade and its unfortunate slave-owning past. A maze of cobbled streets with magnificent architecture remains from this glorious era, and many will marvel at its beauty.

Some would say thatyou have to get lost in Stone Town to really discover it. Get a feel for the culture, talk to the locals, wander the market aisles and taste the local flavours. And don't forget to admire the distinctive architecture of this African city. The city of stone owes its name to its astonishing architectural design. In fact, some of the buildings are made from the remains of mortar and coral stones. Here, you can wander through the narrow streets that quickly become a labyrinth, sharing the area with donkeys, two-wheelers and itinerant carts.

The old town is packed with sumptuous buildings steeped in history and diverse influences. There are mosques, palaces from the Omani period, colonial buildings and Hindu temples. But the city is also famous for its majestic wooden gates. There are no fewer than 500 of them in Stone Town.

Here's a little hint to help you recognise their origin: doors with a square pediment and a chain motif frieze are of Arab origin, while those with a floral frieze and rounded pediment are of Indian origin.

Let's take the time to visit some of the city's must-see monuments, such as the Old Fort, an imposing citadel built in 1700 by the Omanis to protect themselves from the Portuguese. Admission is free.

We continue with a quick look at the Palace museum, whose imposing façade overlooking the sea is a must-see. Once the residence of the sultan, after the Zanzibar revolution the building was used as the seat of government and renamed the "People's Palace". It is now a museum dedicated to the Sultan of Zanzibar.

Don't forget to make a diversion to the House of Wonders, Beit-el-ajaib, a must-see in the city, easily recognisable by its imposing clock.

Unfortunately, since 2020, you can only admire it from the outside, as it is now permanently closed to the public after several collapses.

Built in 1883 as the residence of the island's 3rd sultan, it was one of the largest and most imposing mansions in East Africa at the time. It was the first house on the island to be electrified and then to have a lift, giving it the name "House of Wonders".

Spending a day or two in Stone Town is a great way to immerse yourself in Zanzibari life and discover a magnificent town full of surprises and historical treasures. It's also an opportunity to discover the town's hotels, with their magnificent architecture, and to take a step back in time. Just a stone's throw from the old fort and the House of Wonders, for example, is the magnificent Tembo House and Apartments.

If there's one place you should go shopping in Zanzibar, it's Stone Town. The narrow streets are overflowing with traders selling spices, fabrics, clothes, hats, paintings and souvenirs of all kinds. There's something for everyone, and you'll be sure to find a little treasure from this island of a thousand wonders.

Finally, why not round off the day with a taste of the local street food at the Forodhani Garden night market. A lovely evening stroll along the seafront awaits those with a taste for spicy food. Naans, kebabs, seafood, fresh cane juice. There's something for everyone here, a harmonious mix of tourists and locals. Everyone is here to enjoy the warmth of an evening lit up by the small lanterns of the street vendors.