Gift ideas Stone Town

Located in the heart of Zanzibar's old town, this is the island's largest souvenir store. Above all, the prices are displayed in dollars, which means they're reasonable and there's no need to haggle if you're in a hurry or tired of the ritual, and credit cards are accepted. On 2 levels, you'll find beautiful objects to take home, mainly jewelry, clothes, books, handicrafts, music, spices, the same as in other souvenir stores, except that there's a lot of choice. You'll also find stamps for Europe.

The art of henna in all its forms has been practiced for centuries by Zanzibar's most gifted women in Arabic drawing and calligraphy. The shop sells handicrafts, paintings, printed fabrics and decorative objects, and offers introductory workshops in henna body painting. It's a local initiative by the women of Stone Town, and 100% fair trade. And what a pleasure it is to leave the island with hands and feet delicately painted with oriental henna designs.

Rizwan sews cushion covers, computer cases, clothes, bags, cases for musical instruments, everything! Made-to-measure and with local kitengé and wax, also sold on the spot. Bananas, precious handbags, cases for handbags, flip-flops, wallets, luggage, hats, caps, everything in colour and solidly sewn. A beautiful inventiveness declined in a wide range of objects and accessories, made 100% in Zanzibar. Soaps made on the island from seaweed and spices harvested here are also sold in pretty packaging.

This brand new luxury concept store is located in the middle of Shangani. It is perhaps one of the most expensive and stylish in Stone Town. Catherine Africa Spirit's collection of women's clothing and accessories is designed for the holidays: many pieces are made from colourful Tanzanian kitengé fabric. There is also a line of girls' clothing, especially dresses. Everything has been cut and sewn by local dressmakers. Jewellery, delicate decorative objects, and many well-designed items at high prices.

This new Zuri Rituals boutique in Zanzibar is an enriching concept-store, first and foremost for the range of natural cosmetics it is beginning to develop based on plants with healing properties. But Zuri Rituals doesn't limit itself to beauty products: the store also offers high-quality spices sold in bulk and not crushed in sachets like in the market, old photos of the town beautifully framed in carved driftwood, essential oil compress balls draped in kitenge, and lots of other lovely surprises.