Attraction
Stone Town
Zanzibar's historic Swahili trading town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, packed into 96 hectares of coral-stone houses, carved doors and winding lanes.
Hamamni Persian Baths
Public baths built for Sultan Barghash between 1870 and 1888 by Shirazi architects, now a quiet guided visit through hot and cold bath chambers.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic public baths
- Area
- Hamamni, Stone Town, Zanzibar City, Tanzania
Good to know
- Guided visits
Why we recommend it
The Hamamni Persian Baths were built between 1870 and 1888 for Sultan Barghash bin Said as public baths for the town. They are called Persian because Shirazi architects were commissioned to design them, and the surrounding neighbourhood takes its name, Hamamni, from the building. The baths stayed in use until 1920, and volunteers from the CHAM association restored them in 2006. UNESCO's description of Stone Town lists Hamamni and the town's other Persian baths among the notable buildings of the World Heritage Site, a sign of how important public bathing once was in daily life.
The complex is larger than it looks from the lane outside. Rooms include hot and cold baths, toilets and areas for shaving, and hot water was brought in through underground aqueducts. Admission was charged, and men and women used the baths at different hours. Without water the chambers are bare, so a guide helps bring the rooms to life by explaining how bathers moved from one space to the next. Part of the original complex, including the former restaurant area, has since become private housing, so only some areas are open.
The baths no longer operate, and visits are by guided tour. Altezza Travel's 2026 Stone Town guide lists a small entry fee that includes a guide and daily opening from about 09:00 to 18:00; check locally, as hours can be irregular. Allow 20 to 30 minutes. It is a cool, quiet break from the heat of the lanes and appeals to anyone interested in architecture and everyday life in 19th-century Zanzibar.
The building is in the middle of the old town and can be tricky to find on your own, so ask for directions or include it in a guided walking tour. Floors are uneven and lighting is dim in places, which may be difficult for visitors with limited mobility. Photography is usually allowed, but it is courteous to ask your guide first.
Because it is in the heart of the old town, the baths fit naturally into a walking day that also takes in Christ Church Cathedral and the East African Slave Trade Exhibit, St Joseph's Cathedral and the shops of Gizenga Street. A local guide can link these sights together and explain the Omani-era history behind each one.
Hamamni Persian Baths FAQs
When were the Hamamni Persian Baths built?
Between 1870 and 1888, for Sultan Barghash bin Said.
Why are they called Persian baths?
They were designed by architects from Shiraz in Persia.
Can you still bathe there?
No. The baths stopped operating in 1920 and are now visited as a historic site.
Do you need a guide?
Visits are by guided tour, which Altezza Travel reports is included in the small entry fee.
How long does a visit take?
Around 20 to 30 minutes.
When were the baths restored?
Volunteers from the CHAM association restored them in 2006.
Is the site accessible?
Floors are uneven and some areas are dimly lit, which may be difficult for visitors with limited mobility.