House of Wonders (Beit-al-Ajaib)

Overview

The House of Wonders, known locally as Beit-al-Ajaib, is a majestic palace and historical landmark in Zanzibar. It was the first building in Zanzibar to have electricity and an elevator, hence the name 'House of Wonders'.

It served as the Sultan's palace and is a symbol of Zanzibar's rich history and cultural heritage.

Historical Site Architectural Landmark

Location

Address

Sokoku Street, Zanzibar

Neighborhood: Stone Town

Coordinates

-6.160700, 39.202200

Visiting Information

Opening Hours

monday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

tuesday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

wednesday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

thursday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

friday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

saturday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

sunday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Admission

Adults

$10

Children

$5

Best Time to Visit

Overall Best Period

April-May, October-November

Best Time of Day

Early morning

cooler temperatures and fewer tourists

Duration Recommendations

Minimum

1 hour

Recommended

2-3 hours

Full Experience

half day

Seasonal Highlights

spring

warm and humid

• historical exhibits
• cultural performances

summer

rainy and humid

• rainy season exhibits

autumn

cooler and less humid

• historical reenactments

winter

hot and humid

• holiday decorations

Know Before You Go

Essential Information

Wear modest clothing
Respect local customs
Carry cash for small purchases

What to Bring

essential

ID water comfortable shoes

seasonal

umbrella light rain jacket

not allowed

large bags drones weapons

Health & Safety

Physical Requirements: low

• stair climbing
• dehydration

Medical facilities: first aid available on-site

Payment Information

Accepted

cash, credit cards

Currency

Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) and USD

Typical Costs

entry $10

guided tour $20

food $5

souvenirs $10

Dress Code

modest and respectful, comfortable shoes and light clothing, walking shoes, shorts, sleeveless tops

Booking Tips

• 1 week
• official website or local tour operators
• 48 hours
• available for guided tours

Amenities

Restrooms

Gift shop

Atm

Wifi

Lockers

Wheelchair rental

Stroller rental

On site restaurant

Cafe

Picnic areas

Outside food allowed

Digital Services

Mobile App

Zanzibar Heritage App

Size: 30 MB

Features: Map, Audio guide, Tickets, Historical information

Platforms: iOS, Android

WiFi Zones: Visitor center, Courtyard

Charging Stations: Visitor center

How to Reach

From Airport

Nearest: Abeid Amani Karume International Airport

Distance: 7 km

Travel Time: 20 minutes

taxi

$15 20 min

public_transport

$2 30 min

From City Center

Distance: 2 km

walking

25 min

taxi

$5 10 min

daladala

$1 15 min

Local Insights

Cultural Context

Why Locals Love It: It's a symbol of Zanzibar's rich history and cultural heritage

Historical Significance: It served as the Sultan's palace and witnessed many historical events

Insider Tips

Visit early in the morning for cooler temperatures and fewer tourists
Try local street food near the entrance

Local Recommendations

• Try local Zanzibar pizza at a nearby stall
• Ask for a guide named Ali

Language Help

Useful Phrases

hello Jambo

thank_you Asante

where_is Wapi

how_much Bei gani

beautiful Nzuri

ticket Tiketi

Guide Languages: English, Swahili, Arabic

Photography Guide

Best Photo Spots

Main courtyard

Best Time: Golden hour

Tips: Wide angle for architecture

Result: Stunning historical backdrop

#Zanzibar #HouseOfWonders #StoneTown

Photography Rules

allowed areas outdoor areas, courtyard

prohibited areas interior exhibits

flash photography allowed in outdoor areas

commercial photography permit needed

drone policy prohibited without permit

tripod policy restricted to designated areas

selfie sticks allowed

Nearby Attractions

Zanzibar Palace Museum

Distance: 200m

Walking: 3 min

Type: Museum

Old Fort of Zanzibar

Distance: 300m

Walking: 5 min

Type: Historical Site

Forodhani Gardens

Distance: 400m

Walking: 7 min

Type: Park

Sultan's Palace

Distance: 500m

Walking: 8 min