Thing to do
Forodhani Gardens Night Food Market
Seafront park in front of the Old Fort that fills with grills and food stalls after sunset, serving Zanzibar pizza, urojo, seafood skewers and fresh sugarcane…
Darajani Market
Zanzibar City's main food market, built in 1904, with spice, fruit, fish and meat sections plus nearby streets selling kanga cloth and household goods.
At a glance
- Type
- Food and spice market
- Area
- Darajani, Zanzibar City, Tanzania
Good to know
- Free entry
- Spices
- Fresh produce
- Kanga textiles
Why we recommend it
Darajani Market is the main food market of Zanzibar City and the place where much of the island does its daily shopping. The main market building was put up in 1904 by Bomanjee Maneckjee for Sultan Ali bin Hamud, and it has been extended and restored since. It is also known as Estella Market, after Countess Estella, and informally as Marikiti Kuu, Swahili for main market. It sits on Darajani Road on the edge of Stone Town, close to Christ Church Cathedral.
Inside and around the halls you will find separate sections for fish, meat, fruit and vegetables, grains and spices. It is a good place to buy vanilla beans, black pepper, cashews and other spices to take home. The surrounding streets have spread well beyond food, with stalls and shops selling clothing, household goods and electronics. For textiles, Explore Parts Unknown recommends the kanga sellers around the junction of Tharia Street and Market Street, where the printed cotton wraps carry Swahili proverbs along the border.
Altezza Travel's 2026 guide lists the market as roughly 05:00 to 22:00 daily, with the busiest periods between 06:00 and 10:00 and again after 16:00. Early morning is the best time to see fresh deliveries before the heat builds. The fish and meat halls are pungent and floors can be wet, so wear closed shoes. Keep valuables out of sight, as it is crowded, and ask before photographing traders.
The market suits curious travellers, cooks and anyone wanting to see everyday Zanzibar away from the hotel strip. Bargaining is normal for spices and souvenirs, less so for basic produce. Traders usually quote in Tanzanian shillings, so carry small notes rather than relying on US dollars or cards. Families with young children may find the crowds and smells overwhelming in the meat and fish sections, so the spice and fruit stalls are an easier introduction.
Darajani is also the main transport hub: the central daladala station for shared minibuses is beside the market, as is the main bus station. From here it is a short walk to Christ Church Cathedral and the East African Slave Trade Exhibit, and Lukmaan restaurant is nearby for a local lunch after your visit.
Darajani Market FAQs
When was Darajani Market built?
The main building dates from 1904 and was built for Sultan Ali bin Hamud.
What are the opening hours?
Altezza Travel's 2026 guide lists roughly 05:00 to 22:00 daily.
When is the best time to visit?
Early morning, between about 06:00 and 10:00, when the fish and produce are fresh and before the heat builds.
What can you buy at Darajani?
Spices such as vanilla, cloves, cinnamon and pepper, fresh produce, fish, meat, kanga cloth and household goods.
Should you bargain?
Bargaining is normal for spices, textiles and souvenirs.
What should you wear?
Closed shoes, as floors in the fish and meat halls can be wet, and modest clothing.
What else is the market called?
It is also known as Estella Market and Marikiti Kuu.
What is nearby?
Christ Church Cathedral, Lukmaan restaurant and the main daladala station.