The carved doors of Stone Town: route, styles and history (2026)
The carved doors of Stone Town are one of Zanzibar's symbols: one guide estimates more than 560 old doors still standing, most over a century old (figure not verified). Two styles dominate: Indian doors with a rounded top, and Omani doors, rectangular and often carved with Quranic verses. The brass studs, Indian in origin, are decorative today: the story that they were meant against war elephants is not sourced. The easiest way is a free 1.5 to 3-hour walk in the old town, or a guided tour (about US$22 to US$40).
Highlights
A carved door
Patterns are mostly abstract (flowers, chains, geometry): Islam discourages depicting living beings. Look for carved chains and engraved lintels.
Famous doors and houses
In the lanes around Shangani and the House of Wonders, several ornate doors are easy to spot, including the one of the house linked to Freddie Mercury (see Stone Town).
The styles
Indian style: arched top, which appeared according to one source in the mid-19th century with Gujarati merchants. Omani style: rectangular, with verses. Swahili style: the oldest according to one guide, with no confirmed date.
Practical info
Tips
- Take a guide if you want to understand the symbols: a 2.5-hour tour for about US$23 with a visit to a carver's workshop, a 3-hour tour for about US$22 (slavery, old fort, Mercury house), or US$40 to US$85 for 2 to 5 hours. Otherwise set off without a plan: it is easy to get lost, which is part of the fun. Photograph from the front and from a distance; some doors are lived-in houses: do not enter. Early morning, the lanes are calmer. See also the Stone Town guide.
How to get there
On foot from the port, Forodhani Gardens or Darajani: everything lies within 1 km. From the airport, allow 15 to 20 minutes by car (estimate): see from the airport to hotels.
Opening hours
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