Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)

The Old Fort, known in Swahili as Ngome Kongwe and often called the Arab Fort, is the oldest standing structure most visitors will see in Stone Town. It sits on the main seafront facing Forodhani Gardens, right beside the House of Wonders. The Portuguese first built on this site in the 17th century, and the Omanis rebuilt it after taking control of the island, with the fort recorded as completed in 1699. Remnants of a Portuguese church and an earlier Omani fortification survive inside the courtyard.

Its later history is varied. In the 19th century it served as a garrison and a prison, between 1905 and 1928 it was used as a terminal for the Zanzibar railway that ran out to Bububu, and in 1947 a new guardhouse was built and used as a ladies' club. An amphitheatre was added in the 1990s, and today the fort is the headquarters of the Zanzibar International Film Festival, also known as the Festival of the Dhow Countries.

What you see now is a square of high brown walls topped with merlons, wrapped around a large courtyard that has been turned into a cultural centre. Curio stalls sell crafts including tingatinga paintings, there is a small restaurant and a tourist information desk, and the open-air amphitheatre hosts dance and music performances on many evenings. The fort is also the main venue for the Sauti za Busara music festival, held in February.

The fort suits everyone: it is free to enter, compact, and a natural first stop on a walk around the old town. Altezza Travel's 2026 Stone Town guide lists it as open daily from around 08:00 to 22:00, but hours can change for events, so check locally. Half an hour is enough for a look round; come back in the evening if a performance is scheduled. Shopping in the courtyard is relaxed, but agree a price before buying.

Because it stands on Mizingani Road, the fort is easy to combine with the rest of the waterfront. Forodhani Gardens and its evening food market are directly in front, the Old Dispensary is a short walk along the seafront towards the harbour, and the hotels and restaurants of Shangani are a short walk away. Visit in the late afternoon, browse the courtyard, then cross to Forodhani for sunset.