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Tanzania🇹🇿 | attractionsOld Slave Market & Anglican CathedralUnderground slave chambers, whipping-post altar, chained memorial, guided tour | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Old Slave Market & Anglican Cathedral
🏆 Top pickattraction ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Walk in from Stone Town’s lanes and you can see the whole story in under two hours, on foot, with no transfers. The Old Slave Market & Anglican Cathedral sits in Mkunazini, on Unguja island, Zanzibar, Tanzania, a short walk east of the Forodhani waterfront. The cathedral stands on the very ground where the East African slave trade held its last big public market, and that weight is the point. You get sobering history, a guided tour, and the Slave Chambers underground. Crowds are modest, though tour groups arrive mid-morning, so go early. Entry is a ticket (buy it at the gate, because that is how the site pays for upkeep), and a guide is worth hiring since the stones explain little alone. It is not a thrill ride. It will move you most if you like history and testimony, and it will bore anyone chasing beaches or a quick photo stop.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Tanzania Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 attraction in TanzaniaWhat makes this attraction worth visiting

The Old Slave Market & Anglican Cathedral is the one place in Zanzibar where the island’s trade in people stops being an abstract date and becomes a room you can stand in. The Slave Chambers are low, damp cells where captives were held without space to stretch out, and the dimensions alone tell you more than a plaque could. Above them, the Anglican Cathedral of Christ Church was raised on the site of the whipping post and market after the trade was banned, so the building is itself an argument about what replaced what. That layering is why this stop matters on a Tanzania route: Zanzibar was the commercial hub that fed Arabia, India and the Indian Ocean islands, and the spice and clove wealth you see in the old merchant houses cannot be understood without this corner of town. It is also cheap, … read more 👉
The Old Slave Market & Anglican Cathedral is the one place in Zanzibar where the island’s trade in people stops being an abstract date and becomes a room you can stand in. The Slave Chambers are low, damp cells where captives were held without space to stretch out, and the dimensions alone tell you more than a plaque could. Above them, the Anglican Cathedral of Christ Church was raised on the site of the whipping post and market after the trade was banned, so the building is itself an argument about what replaced what. That layering is why this stop matters on a Tanzania route: Zanzibar was the commercial hub that fed Arabia, India and the Indian Ocean islands, and the spice and clove wealth you see in the old merchant houses cannot be understood without this corner of town. It is also cheap, central and quick. Pair it with the House of Wonders and the waterfront and you finish with the full picture of why Stone Town looks the way it does, and why the town’s beauty carries a darker ledger.

💡 HighlightsDon't-miss highlights and experiences

  1. Slave Chambers: Two cramped underground cells beneath a building beside the cathedral, where captives were packed in with a single small opening for air. Guides describe how many people were held at a time. It is the starkest moment of the visit.
  2. Anglican Cathedral of Christ Church: Built in the 1870s, with a mix of Gothic and Arab details. The nave is plain and calm, and the building’s story is more striking than its decoration.
  3. The altar marking the whipping post: Inside the cathedral, the altar stands on the spot where the main post of the market is said to have been. A small, quiet marker that makes people go silent.
  4. Memorial to the Enslaved: Outdoor sculpture of figures in a pit, with real iron chains around their necks, set in the courtyard. It makes a strong photo and an even stronger
… read more 👉
  1. Slave Chambers: Two cramped underground cells beneath a building beside the cathedral, where captives were packed in with a single small opening for air. Guides describe how many people were held at a time. It is the starkest moment of the visit.
  2. Anglican Cathedral of Christ Church: Built in the 1870s, with a mix of Gothic and Arab details. The nave is plain and calm, and the building’s story is more striking than its decoration.
  3. The altar marking the whipping post: Inside the cathedral, the altar stands on the spot where the main post of the market is said to have been. A small, quiet marker that makes people go silent.
  4. Memorial to the Enslaved: Outdoor sculpture of figures in a pit, with real iron chains around their necks, set in the courtyard. It makes a strong photo and an even stronger pause.
  5. David Livingstone’s crucifix: The cathedral displays a crucifix made from the tree under which the explorer’s heart was buried in Zambia. It ties the site to the campaign against the trade.
  6. The guided tour: Local guides walk you through the grounds and chambers, giving figures and testimonies. It adds the human detail that the stones lack.
  7. Cathedral grounds and stained glass: Sit in the courtyard after the tour and look at the cathedral’s windows and lime-washed walls. It gives you time to take it all in before the lanes of Mkunazini swallow you again.
For a first visit, the Slave Chambers are the item to prioritize, because nothing else at the Old Slave Market & Anglican Cathedral explains the scale of the trade as directly.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Old Slave Market & Anglican Cathedral

Zanzibar Airport Transfers Pickup and Drop off/departure

Zanzibar Airport Transfers Pickup and Drop off/departure

5.0(116) 1h
From €23
per personViator
Stone Town Hidden Gems: Historical Walking Tour with Local Guide

Stone Town Hidden Gems: Historical Walking Tour with Local Guide

5.0(78)
From €18.11
per personViator
Private Tour Zanzibar Unique Stone Town with spice Farm Plantations

Private Tour Zanzibar Unique Stone Town with spice Farm Plantations

5.0(60) 5h
From €67
per personViator
Private Transfer from Zanzibar airport/port - Pick & Drop off

Private Transfer from Zanzibar airport/port - Pick & Drop off

5.0(51)
From €23
per personViator
Private Stone Town Walking Tour

Private Stone Town Walking Tour

5.0(40) 3h
From €39
per personViator
Day Trip From Zanzibar To Mikumi

Day Trip From Zanzibar To Mikumi

5.0(34) 10h
From €453
per personViator
Private Stone town and Spice farm Tour with swahili lunch

Private Stone town and Spice farm Tour with swahili lunch

5.0(33) 6h
From €119
per personViator
Zanzibar Archipelago Private 3 Day Tour

Zanzibar Archipelago Private 3 Day Tour

5.0(32) 72h
From €811
per personViator
Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar

Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar

5.0(29)
From €127
per personViator
Stone town Private Walking Tour

Stone town Private Walking Tour

5.0(29) 2h 30m
From €18.11
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

June to October is the easiest window for Stone Town, with dry, sunny days and a breeze off the Indian Ocean.
  • Cool Dry Season (June to October): Highs reach 28 to 30°C (82 to 86°F), lows 21 to 23°C (70 to 73°F), with low humidity. The cathedral grounds and the Old Slave Market cellars are comfortable for walking. July, August and the Christmas weeks bring the biggest crowds and highest room rates.
  • Short Rains (November to December): Expect 29 to 31°C (84 to 88°F), rising humidity and brief afternoon downpours. Rooms are cheaper than in July and August, and the site is quieter.
  • Hot Season (January to February): Highs reach 31 to 33°C (88 to 91°F) with sticky, still air. Visit early, since the cathedral interior and the underground cells hold heat.
  • Long Rains (March to May): Heavy, often daily downpours
… read more 👉
June to October is the easiest window for Stone Town, with dry, sunny days and a breeze off the Indian Ocean.
  • Cool Dry Season (June to October): Highs reach 28 to 30°C (82 to 86°F), lows 21 to 23°C (70 to 73°F), with low humidity. The cathedral grounds and the Old Slave Market cellars are comfortable for walking. July, August and the Christmas weeks bring the biggest crowds and highest room rates.
  • Short Rains (November to December): Expect 29 to 31°C (84 to 88°F), rising humidity and brief afternoon downpours. Rooms are cheaper than in July and August, and the site is quieter.
  • Hot Season (January to February): Highs reach 31 to 33°C (88 to 91°F) with sticky, still air. Visit early, since the cathedral interior and the underground cells hold heat.
  • Long Rains (March to May): Heavy, often daily downpours flood some Stone Town lanes. Many guesthouses drop prices by a third or more, and some tour operators shut for weeks.
Daylight runs roughly 11.5 to 12.5 hours all year. Go in the morning, before tour groups arrive around 10 am.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: below average for travelingAPRApril: below average for travelingMAYMay: below average for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: highly recommended for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

Stone Town itself is the place to sleep, because the site sits on Mkunazini Road, a short walk from most budget beds.
The streets around Shangani and the waterfront Forodhani Gardens are the social core. Hostels and guesthouses cluster here, restaurants stay open late, and you will meet other solo travelers easily. It is the busiest part of town after dark, but the lanes are lit and well populated, and the cathedral is about 10 to 15 minutes away on foot.
Mkunazini and the lanes toward Darajani Market are quieter and more residential. Rooms are cheaper, and you wake to the call to prayer and the … read more 👉
Stone Town itself is the place to sleep, because the site sits on Mkunazini Road, a short walk from most budget beds.
The streets around Shangani and the waterfront Forodhani Gardens are the social core. Hostels and guesthouses cluster here, restaurants stay open late, and you will meet other solo travelers easily. It is the busiest part of town after dark, but the lanes are lit and well populated, and the cathedral is about 10 to 15 minutes away on foot.
Mkunazini and the lanes toward Darajani Market are quieter and more residential. Rooms are cheaper, and you wake to the call to prayer and the smell of the market. It suits travelers who want local life over nightlife, though fewer places cater to backpackers and the maze of alleys is confusing after dark.
Kiponda and the area near the Old Fort sit between the two. They are central, with good rooftop terraces, and you can reach the market site in under 10 minutes.
Book ahead from July to August and around Christmas. At night, take a taxi or walk in a group rather than wandering the narrow back lanes alone.
Best hostels in Tanzania


Best quality hotels in Tanzania

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

Old Slave Market & Anglican Cathedral costs a backpacker about US$45 to 70 a day including a bed, food, entry and local transport.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entry (Cathedral and Slave Chambers)US$5 to 10Foreign visitors pay at the ticket desk, usually in cash or the equivalent in Tanzanian shillings. Prices are higher than for residents.
Guided TourUS$0 to 10Guides at the entrance offer tours and expect a tip. A guide adds useful historical context.
Accommodation (High Season)US$15 to 30A dorm bed or basic private room in Shangani or Mkunazini. Low season often drops to US$10 to 20.
FoodUS$8 to 15Street food at Forodhani Gardens, local plates of rice, fish and curry, and Zanzibar pizza keep this low. Sit-down cafes cost more.
Local TransportUS$1 to 5Most sights are walkable. Daladala minibuses
… read more 👉
Old Slave Market & Anglican Cathedral costs a backpacker about US$45 to 70 a day including a bed, food, entry and local transport.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entry (Cathedral and Slave Chambers)US$5 to 10Foreign visitors pay at the ticket desk, usually in cash or the equivalent in Tanzanian shillings. Prices are higher than for residents.
Guided TourUS$0 to 10Guides at the entrance offer tours and expect a tip. A guide adds useful historical context.
Accommodation (High Season)US$15 to 30A dorm bed or basic private room in Shangani or Mkunazini. Low season often drops to US$10 to 20.
FoodUS$8 to 15Street food at Forodhani Gardens, local plates of rice, fish and curry, and Zanzibar pizza keep this low. Sit-down cafes cost more.
Local TransportUS$1 to 5Most sights are walkable. Daladala minibuses cost under US$1, and short taxi or tuk-tuk rides run US$2 to 5.
ExtrasUS$3 to 8Water, souvenirs, and tips for guides or a nearby museum entry.
Total Daily BudgetUS$45 to 70Cutting it close is possible by eating street food and skipping taxis.


source: tripadvisor.com
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQTraveler FAQ

Plan on 1 to 2 hours at Old Slave Market & Anglican Cathedral. The guided tour of the underground cells takes about 30 to 45 minutes, and the cathedral interior and grounds add another 30 minutes. Pair it with the nearby House of Wonders and Forodhani Gardens for a half-day Stone Town walk.
Yes, Old Slave Market & Anglican Cathedral is good value at roughly US$5 to 10 for foreign visitors. The price covers the cathedral and the narrow underground chambers where captives were held, and a local guide brings the history to life. A tip of around US$2 to 5 for the guide is customary, and the site is quieter before 10 am.
Old Slave Market & Anglican Cathedral sits on Mkunazini Road in central Stone Town, about 10 to 15 minutes on foot from Forodhani Gardens. From Zanzibar airport, a taxi takes 15 to 25 minutes and costs around US$10 to 20. Ferries from Dar es Salaam arrive at Stone Town port, a 15 to 20 minute walk or short tuk-tuk ride away, and the crossing takes about 2 hours.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Tanzanian attractions near Old Slave Market & Anglican Cathedral

Explore more nearby:

  • Hamamni Persian Baths—Domed bathing halls, roof skylights, dry pools, furnace layout| 0 km away
  • Princess Salme Museum—Salme's house, guided rooms, royal portraits, memoir display| 0 km away
  • Palace Museum—Sultans' reception rooms, royal bedrooms, Salme exhibit, seafront balconies| 0 km away

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Old Slave Market & Anglican Cathedral needs about two hours, and no more. Go first thing, take a guide, and let the visit sink in before you head to the busy waterfront. I would book it before any lunch plans, since the chambers are heavy going on a full stomach, and I would skip rushing it as a photo stop.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Tanzania. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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