When people think of Zanzibar, they think of white sand beaches, clear seas, spectacular diving, and the inevitable Swahili catchphrase ‘Hakuna Matata’. But there is substantially more to the island in general than the relaxing beaches…

Your first stop off, no matter which way you get to Zanzibar, will be in the capital Stone Town, or Mji Mkongwe (Ancient City) to the locals. It is more than worth stopping off here for a few days to sample the wonderful life enjoyed by expats and locals alike in one of the greatest cities of the African coast.

Guarded as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Stone Town is a romantic and beautiful preservation of a history somewhat lacking in its upkeep in present days. That said, meandering through the seemingly endless alleyways and squares of the city can let you lose yourself for the best part of a day as you soak up the culture and history of a city that was once the major powerhouse of the East African coast. Its control and influence spread from Kilwa Kisiwani in the south all the way up to Somali coast in the north, and Zanzibaris are understandably proud of that history.

What bears a much greater intolerance, is the island’s history of slavery. Rumour has it that the carpenters who built the front door in the House of Wonders resulted in each of them losing their hands so they couldn’t build anything as beautiful again. Another rumour states that in each pillar on the House, is enshrined the head of a slave who was forced to build it. Up at St. Monica’s church you can see for yourself the remnants of the old slave market that provided Zanzibar with so much of its income.

But Zanzibar now has shrugged off its ugly past and embraced the tourists who flock to its shores, and Stone Town is no stranger to that embrace. Spend the day meandering the alleys, have dinner at the seafront food market of Forodhani (under renovation at the moment, but relocated to in front of Africa House for the time being), watch the sunset from the balcony of Africa House, saunter over to Livingstone’s to witness the Live Music every Friday night, and then head to the infamous Dharma Lounge for some late night dancing.

If you visit Zanzibar, and head straight to your beach hotels, you’re missing out.