Forodhani Gardens

A seafront garden that comes alive at night, Forodhani Gardens stretch along the waterfront of Stone Town, the historic core of Zanzibar City, facing the old harbour. By day the shaded lawns and sea wall offer a relaxed spot to sit in the breeze, watch dhows on the water and admire the grand old buildings that line the front, including the former House of Wonders and the Old Fort.

After dark the gardens transform. Each evening a bustling food market sets up, with vendors grilling seafood skewers, octopus, lobster and fish over charcoal, frying the local flatbread known as Zanzibar pizza, and pouring fresh sugarcane juice. The smoke, lantern light and crowds of locals and travellers create one of the most atmospheric dining scenes on the island.

The gardens sit at the cultural crossroads of Stone Town. They front the maze of coral-stone alleys, ornate carved doors and Swahili, Arab, Indian and European influences that earned the old town its heritage status. From the sea wall, sunsets over the Indian Ocean draw crowds, and young men often dive from the wall into the harbour for the delight of onlookers.

For visitors, the gardens are free, central and easy to enjoy. They make a natural gathering point for an evening stroll, a cheap and memorable meal, and people-watching, and they connect directly to the main sights of Stone Town. As with any busy market, it pays to choose freshly cooked food, watch belongings in the crowds and settle prices before ordering. Combining a daytime rest under the trees with an evening at the food stalls gives a full sense of the place. Forodhani is the social heart of Stone Town's waterfront.