Mtoni Palace Museum
Mtoni Palace, built in 1828 for Sultan Seyyid Said, now stands as ruins, offering insights into Zanzibar’s royal history and 19th-century architecture.
Planning your visit
Mtoni was the first and largest palace on Zanzibar, built from 1828 for Sultan Seyyid Said, who moved his Omani capital from Muscat to Zanzibar — an unusual case of an empire relocating its centre from Arabia to Africa, driven by the clove and slave trades.
What survives is ruins: walls, arches, the bath complex and the outlines of a compound that housed the sultan, his wives, concubines and around a thousand people. The famous account comes from Princess Salme, one of his daughters, who eloped with a German merchant, converted to Christianity and wrote memoirs in Hamburg — the first known autobiography by an Arab woman, and a remarkable source on harem life.
The site sits north of Stone Town near Bubububu, and its condition means guided interpretation matters considerably.
Zanzibar's Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the slave trade history it carries is inseparable from this palace. Allow an hour. Bookable options include guided tours. Current availability is shown below.
Before you book
Where is Mtoni Palace Museum?
Mtoni Palace Museum is in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
How long should I allow for Mtoni Palace Museum?
Allow an hour. That is the time the collection itself takes at an unhurried pace, before any queue.
Do I need to book Mtoni Palace Museum in advance?
Guided tours run to a fixed schedule and small group sizes, so they are usually booked ahead.