DEHUROEN

Plizio Visual Lab

Hamamni Persian Baths

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
Landmark
—°4
Hamamni Persian Baths (Tanzania)

Weather…

The Hamamni Persian Baths in Stone Town are Zanzibar's first public bathhouses and a significant example of 19th-century Islamic architecture. Built between 1870 and 1888 for Sultan Barghash bin Said, the complex was designed by Persian architects from Shiraz. The baths were part of a broader urban development plan and featured separate sections for hot and cold baths, as well as steam rooms. The layout follows the traditional Persian 'hamam' style, characterized by domed ceilings, symmetrical chambers, and circular roof openings for ventilation and lighting. Although they remained in operation until approximately 1920, the baths were strictly secular facilities intended for hygiene and social gathering. Today, visitors can tour the remaining changing areas, heating chambers, and intricate plasterwork. The site provides a fascinating glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle and sophisticated engineering of the Zanzibari elite during the era of the Sultanate.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C272727272524242425262727
Rain mm1188916327917128212741111164141

📋 Practical info

🚪
Visiting
The historical baths are open to the public, usually for a small entry fee. The interior can be viewed, often with informative panels about the history.
🕒
Typical hours
Opening hours are typically 9:00 to 17:00, except on religious holidays. It is recommended to check current times before visiting.
📷
Photography
Photography is usually allowed inside the baths but without flash. The Persian architecture with its domes and stone carvings provides unique subjects.
⏱️
Time needed
A visit takes about 30-45 minutes to see the rooms and exhibition. Those interested in history should allow an hour.
➕
Combine with
Combine the visit with Stone Town's old town, the nearby Christ Church Cathedral and the Slave Market Museum. The baths are in the heart of the historic area.
🧭
Getting there
The baths are located in Stone Town, Zanzibar City, and are within walking distance from most hotels in the old town. Taxis and daladala buses stop nearby.
💡
Insider tip
Visit the baths in the morning when it is not yet too hot and fewer visitors are present. A guide can explain the use of the different rooms.

Geography

Coordinates
-6.16330, 39.19110

Facts

  • Built between 1870 and 1888
  • Commissioned by Sultan Barghash bin Said
  • Designed by architects from Shiraz, Persia
  • Functioned as public baths until 1920
  • Featured hot, cold, and steam bath areas
  • Purely secular facility with no religious use

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Christ Church CathedralChrist Church Cathedral<1 km · NEExplore →
Maruhubi Palace RuinsMaruhubi Palace Ruins3 km · NEExplore →
Prison IslandPrison Island5 km · SEExplore →
Chumbe IslandChumbe Island10 km · WExplore →
UngujaUnguja12 km · NExplore →
Zanzibar Spice FarmZanzibar Spice Farm13 km · NEExplore →
Mangapwani Slave CavesMangapwani Slave Caves16 km · EExplore →
KiwengwaKiwengwa26 km · NEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Hamamni Persian Baths (4)

Dr. Bulugu Gallery🏛 museum

An art gallery in Stone Town showcasing local paintings and traditional cultural crafts.

Karume Monument🏺 historical

A memorial monument honoring Abeid Amani Karume, a key figure in Zanzibar's history.

Slavery Memorial📍 landmark

A solemn attraction featuring stone statues that commemorate the tragic history of the East African slave trade.

Cultural Arts Center🏛 museum

A spirited gallery space displaying traditional Zanzibari crafts and contemporary artistic works.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Can one still use the baths today?
No, they are only a historical monument and museum.
How long does the visit take?
About 20 to 30 minutes are sufficient.
Is there a guide?
A local guide is highly recommended to explain the functions of the rooms.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, it is an exciting place, even for small explorers.
Is the entrance expensive?
The entrance is very cheap and affordable.
Hamamni Persian Baths: where is it located?
Hamamni Persian Baths is located in Tanzania.
Hamamni Persian Baths: what is there to see?
Highlights include Dr. Bulugu Gallery, Karume Monument, Slavery Memorial.
Hamamni Persian Baths: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Hamamni Persian Baths: why is it worth visiting?
The Hamamni Persian Baths in Stone Town are Zanzibar's first public bathhouses and a significant example of 19th-century Islamic architecture.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Africa
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Africa
More places in Tanzania →

Nearby cities

Sumbawanga — Hamamni Persian Baths (Tanzania)
Sumbawanga
A regional center in the Ufipa Mountains, known for its isolated location.

History & landmarks

Christ Church Cathedral — Hamamni Persian Baths (Tanzania)
Christ Church Cathedral
A historical Anglican church in Stone Town, built on the site of the former slave market.
Forodhani Bandstand — Hamamni Persian Baths (Tanzania)
Forodhani Bandstand
A historic pavilion in the Forodhani Gardens, where the famous night market takes place in the evening.
Old Dispensary — Hamamni Persian Baths (Tanzania)
Old Dispensary
A magnificently decorated building in Stone Town that reflects Zanzibar's multicultural architecture.
Peace Memorial Museum (Beit el Amani) — Hamamni Persian Baths (Tanzania)
Peace Memorial Museum (Beit el Amani)
A significant museum in a circular building documenting the history of Zanzibar.
Malindi Mosque — Hamamni Persian Baths (Tanzania)
Malindi Mosque
One of the oldest mosques in Stone Town, known for its unusual minaret.

More places

Stone Town of Zanzibar — Hamamni Persian Baths (Tanzania)
Stone Town of Zanzibar
The historical center of Zanzibar City, renowned for its rich Swahili culture and unique coral stone architecture.
House of Wonders (Beit al-Ajaib) — Hamamni Persian Baths (Tanzania)
House of Wonders (Beit al-Ajaib)
A former sultan's palace in Zanzibar, known as the tallest building in Stone Town and the first in East Africa to have electricity and an…
Old Fort of Zanzibar — Hamamni Persian Baths (Tanzania)
Old Fort of Zanzibar
The oldest surviving structure in Stone Town, built by Omani Arabs to defend against the Portuguese.
Malindi Port (Zanzibar) — Hamamni Persian Baths (Tanzania)
Malindi Port (Zanzibar)
The main port of Stone Town, managing passenger and freight traffic to the island of Zanzibar (Unguja).
🗺️
Maruhubi Palace Ruins
The remains of a large palace in Zanzibar, built for the concubines of Sultan Barghash bin Said in the 19th century.
🗺️
Mtoni Palace Ruins
The oldest palace ruins in Zanzibar, built in the 1820s for Sultan Seyyid Said and described in the memoirs of his daughter, Princess Salme.
Unguja — Hamamni Persian Baths (Tanzania)
Unguja
The main island of Zanzibar.
Mangapwani Slave Caves — Hamamni Persian Baths (Tanzania)
Mangapwani Slave Caves
Natural and artificial caves on Zanzibar that served as a secret hiding place for slaves in the 19th century after the open slave trade w…