Mwanakwerekwe Market

The basics

If you’re staying in accommodation with a kitchen, you can pick up many ingredients to make your own meals at this market. Even if you don’t have any cooking ambitions, it’s still a fun place to get a feel for everyday life on the island and see what kinds of fruits and vegetables are prevalent.

Things to know before you go

• It’s polite to ask first before taking photos. Never photograph anybody (or their wares) without asking their permission.

• Produce is usually sold by weight, not by the piece, and it’s not worth haggling if you’re just buying small amounts of items.

• The market is on uneven, unpaved ground and has narrow lanes, making it difficult to navigate using a wheelchair.

How to get there

The fastest way to get to the market is by taking a taxi from Stone Town, a 15-minute drive away. For a truly local—and less expensive—alternative, hop aboard a dalla-dalla, a converted minibus/share taxi that connects the island’s commercial and residential areas.

When to get there

For the quintessential market experience (and to avoid the heat of the day), visit the market first thing in the morning, when the market is busy with Zanzibar residents picking up essentials for the day. The evening is also a good time to visit, when the market is similarly abuzz, but the hot, dull middle part of the day is best avoided.

Darajani Market (Marikiti Kuu)

If you're short on time or prefer to explore on foot, Stone Town's Daranji Market is another excellent place to experience Zanzibar market life. You'll see more or less the same food items on display at both markets and as Daranji gets more foreign tourists, it has a better selection of souvenirs.