Historic and picturesque, preserving the facade of the old building. Interesting history and you cannot miss it. Located directly opposite the Zanzibar Ports Authority. The building has been repurposed but the architecture still tells its own stories. Pop.inside for a few pictures if you can. Restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture

I’d have been happy to pay an entrance fee, but the Old Dispensary is free to visit. So when the men working here (who sit at the front with the guest book doing nothing) pleaded me for a tip when I was leaving - I asked them ‘does it go towards the maintenance of the building? Or to your pocket?’ The response I received was ‘all tips go to the pocket’. So I’m supposed to tip you for sitting on your backside?It would be nice if they set up a small admission fee to actually support the restoration and maintenance of this historical building, as opposed to all the visitors’ cash ending up in someones pocket. The men working here will continue to take advantage of this until something changes.

Very nice place. Peaceful and informative. It hosts businesses on the upper floors. Worth a visit ! Free to enter too !

It was nice place to be, such a wonderful memory.Zanzibar is best and beautiful

Not much to see; you could only explore the details of architecture itself.

The oldest building on the island been renovated and reused for other purposes by the government.I could only view it from the outside, sadly.

One of the stunning and outstanding historical landmarks in Zanzibar.

The Old Dispensary, also known as Ithnashiri Dispensary, is a historical building in Stone Town, Zanzibar. It is located on the seafront, in Mizingani Road, halfway between the Palace Museum and the harbour. It owes its name to the fact that it served as a dispensary in the first half of the 20th century.

A historic building that is very attractive

Very cool historic place. Absolutely a hidden gem. Walk around the old building and then enjoy a drink at the bar/little cafe downstairs. Also a great place to wait for the ferry if youre sick of the terrible ambience at the Freddie Mercury bar 😂😂

Nice place to escape from busy shopping street of Zanzibar. Beautiful outside and peaceful inside. Good to walk around the historic building.

Nice place to refresh mind

Nice place for real🥰🥰

One of the best restored buildings in town and home to a very good restaurant

Its a very nice place with lots of history,also theres a bar and offices

Pretty amazing first stop in Zanzibar. Late night, yet, the guy was beyond proud to show around.Safe as secured.

Landmark, historical place

It was old dispensary but now this building is used as commercial building where there are offices, shops etc. It is very interesting building which is neat and a lot of tourist walking much time

Great place to visit

One of the best historical building. Beautiful

Magnificent building with cultural heritage

Best historical place

They cares about the passengers

A very nice building with many stories within. 2$ and all the doors will be open to you bottom to roof top where you can see the city from the top.In front of the building you can get coconut for 1000tzs

One of the oldest buildings in stone town

It was nice place

Nice looking build in the Indian colonial style. It also features one of the best restaurants in Stone Town (in my opinion). The Abbysinians Steak House.

Great restaurant!

Historical place in Zanzibar

Interesting building and history. Great views.

Old Dispensary is one of the historical landmarks in Stonetown Zanzibar. It is from this ancient Building you can hear about THE LUCKY ESCAPE ; the story of a young Indian man known as Thuria Toppan!

Visited Zanzibar on 16th November 2019. This place is just outside the ferry terminal. Nice sky blue shade old structure. Clean and Nice place to visit while roaming around in stone town. While going to Zanzibar must carry Cap and cover your body. Happy Holidays

Well kept building

Also known as Ithnashiri Dispensary. One of the historical building in Stone town with small museum inside about Zanzibar History. Clean well preserved. Some small gift shops are operating inside.Just as sophisticated, with a covered courtyard and carved bridges connecting the floors. No wheelchairs accessible.

Beautiful old building was refurbished by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. If you can, go to the top to get a great view of the gardens, ferry terminal, and prison island. They also have an Ethiopian steakhouse and a craft fair on the first floor. You can sometimes find information guides with facts about stone town.

Multi architectural building in stone town, Zanzibar

Great

Great

Unless youre taking a swahili course, you dont have much of a reason to go in.

Historically site

Needed a break from the sun and the papasi (aggressive hawkers) on the streets. Despite Ramadan, this was open and friendly. LOVED the banana with honey and cinnamon!

Nice

Extraordinary indian architecture

Awesome

An old dispensary. Intricate architecture

So beautiful and historical

Better service

Amazing wooden architecture

Beautiful

Its a beautiful, historic building close to the Ferry. But right now it is an office building, so if youre looking to find some artifacts, or expect it to be a museum, youll be disappointed.The Ethiopian Restaurant has been closed for months now (August 2018 to now in Feb 2019) and we tenants are eagerly waiting for it to reopen so we can have good Ethiopian coffee again.Theres a Zanzibar handicraft store thats just sad. I wish it had more things to see, or if its limited, at least have tastefully curated items for sale. But sadly, it is like any other store in Stone town, but without the variety.The pink office is a shared office that has nothing to do with tourism or the history of the building. But if you must, you can ask us about marine mammals and renewable energy.

Nice

Its a must place to see where antiques with old items inside the building

Its cool and nice

Nice place

I love the pich

I normally passby every day

Nice place

This is where my OFFICE is....

Good

Perfect

Remarkable

Historic

Dispensary

Beautiful building, free admission. Inside, the gentleman shows you around the building where you cannot enter by yourself, because the door is locked. There is a school and a gallery inside. From the top you can observe beautiful views. At the end you can sign up for the book. Its worth seeing this place. :)

In the 1890s, it was a private residence built by an Indian merchant. It was made available as a hospital in 1899, and is now used as the Stone Town Cultural Center.Admission is free, and the balcony overlooks the Ferry Terminal and the dazzling blue waters.Exotic colors, patterns, and materials are awkward but unique structures.

Beautiful terrace to watch the sunset, one of the most stocked bars in the area

The most beautiful and well-kept building in the old town. You can go upstairs, the caretaker even opened the roof for us and conducted a short excursion.

One of the most beautiful buildings in Stone Town

Antique building, originally built as a hospital. Free to explore from the inside. We were lucky that the caretaker (presumably) gave us a lead. First, we thought he was one of those self-proclaimed guides we were approached about before. But then it turned out to be a super nice lead. Although rather with hand and foot than English, but very warm. Among other things, he unlocked the access to the roof for us, from which we had a great view over Stonetown and the harbor. Small tip was then of course (without him asking).

The most beautiful building in the Old Town, wooden, formerly a medical center, today an administrative ...

Historic architecture. 😍 It was originally a hospital. Interiors are still in good condition. You can visit. 👍🏻

Lightweight and lace. Handsomely!

Restored years ago. Still one of the best photo opportunities in Stonetown.

Well preserved / retired Haud with lots of flourishes

Very beautiful building

Beautiful old building.