Sight guide · Zanzibar · Tanzania
Visiting Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)
Built by the Omanis around 1700 on the site of a Portuguese church, the fort's thick walls now enclose craft shops, a café and an open-air amphitheatre used for performances and festivals.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Mbz1 assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe) is a historic site in Stone Town, Zanzibar. Allow 45 minutes; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Historic site
- Area
- Stone Town
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, history and shopping
- Best months
- June and October–November
About Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)
Built by the Omanis around 1700 on the site of a Portuguese church, the fort's thick walls now enclose craft shops, a café and an open-air amphitheatre used for performances and festivals.
Tip: Climb the walls for a view over the waterfront, and check whether a music or dance event is on in the amphitheatre.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 45 minutes.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Stone Town, coral-stone lanes, boutique hotels, rooftop restaurants and the island's history.
Best time to visit Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- November: 31°C (88°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- June: 28°C (82°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- October: 30°C (86°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Zanzibar has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Zanzibar itinerary visits Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe) on day 1, together with Stone Town and Forodhani Gardens night market.
- No. 4 of the 17 sights in our Zanzibar things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Zanzibar.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Zanzibar.
Near Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)
Also in Stone Town, so you can walk between them:
- Forodhani Gardens night market — 1–2 hours, low cost
- Former slave market and Christ Church — 1–1.5 hours, low cost
- Stone Town — a full day, free
If you like Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)
- Maruhubi Palace ruins — North of Stone Town, 45 minutes
- Mangapwani caves — North-west coast, 1 hour
Staying near Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)
Stay in Stone Town ($$$) to walk here: coral-stone lanes, boutique hotels, rooftop restaurants and the island's history. All areas to stay in Zanzibar.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)?
Plan 45 minutes. With Forodhani Gardens night market nearby, it fits a half-day in Stone Town.
+Is Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe) free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)?
June and October–November, the quietest of the good months. Climb the walls for a view over the waterfront, and check whether a music or dance event is on in the amphitheatre.
+Do I need to book Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe) in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.