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Memories of Zanzibar

Memories of Zanzibar, Stone Town: Address, Phone Number, Memories of Zanzibar Reviews: 4/5

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Memories of Zanzibar

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Memories of Zanzibar
4
165
#4 of 27 Shopping in Stone Town
Speciality & Gift Shops
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About
The biggest souvenir store in Zanzibar, Memories of Zanzibar offers the most extensive selection of quality items all under one roof, at reasonable prices. Situated within walking distance of major Stone Town hotels such as Serena, Tembo, Dhow Palace and upcoming Hilton, you can count on a pleasant shopping atmosphere and service with a smile.
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The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
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110 within 5 kms
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Attractions
33 within 10 kms
Freddie Mercury Museum
763
43 mSpeciality Museums
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6
0.1 kmIslands
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0.1 kmFerries
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Cathedral
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0.1 kmReligious Sites
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0.1 kmArt Galleries
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0.2 kmArt Galleries
The Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)
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0.2 kmAncient Ruins
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0.3 kmHistoric Walking Areas
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Popular mentions
4.0
165 reviews
Excellent
50
Very good
66
Average
33
Poor
10
Terrible
6
Mohnomishe
Lusaka, Zambia319 contributions
One stop shop
Dec. 2021
Normally I don’t review shops but I’ll make an exception for Memories. The reason being this was the only place in Stone Town where I found a couple of titles by Zanzibar author and Nobel prize laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah. This is certainly worth mentioning!

Of course it’s convenient to have everything from spices to gemstones under one roof. But for shopping souvenirs, clothes, etc I’d rather support one of the myriad of hole-in-the-wall shops scattered around the maze of alleys.
Written 4 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Stina S
Helsinki, Finland37 contributions
Good selection, shop in peace
Oct. 2021 • Solo
This was the first stop of my shopping trip in Stone Town and I enjoyed it. I was able to shop in peace and found a lot of souvenirs. The selection is good and I found prices mostly sensible. I’d definitely go back to get a few more things if I was still around!
Written 13 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Shane B
Te Awamutu, New Zealand744 contributions
Believe there a lot cheaper and better shopping options
Oct. 2019
There are hundreds of shops in Stone Town most of them don't have names out the front or addresses etc etc so don't appear in Trip Advisor we found these very good although some are a bit pushy.

We went to Memories a couple of times in our 4 days in Stone Town as they did have some smaller stuff (key rings etc) we couldn't find elsewhere. Generally we found their stuff over priced in comparison to others. An example tee shirts probably paying $10us more here than you could pay in the lane ways.

Our second visit found the staff a little pushy in fact was going to buy an overpriced tee shirt but was put off by the staff member. When I went to pay by mastercard made an error so the staff member had to re-enter the purchase she got a bit miffy with me. Didn't really expect that from a shop that prides it self on superior service.

Worth a look be careful of the prices.
Written 27 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Rachael L
2 contributions
shopping!
Aug. 2019 • Solo
lots of places to shop in Stone Town, this was one shop that didn't need people dragging you inside to see the different products.
Written 14 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
AndrewM
Sydney32 contributions
AVOID! DISHONEST!! SHOP SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!
Sep. 2018 • Solo
Hello fellow traveller,

May I suggest you buy your souviners from elsewhere!!!

On a recent visit, I selected a face carved from an ebony piece, showing the 2 colours of the wood, for my father and they offered to wrap it for me. In good faith, I waited and they returned with a wrapped item for which I paid and left. They knew they would not see me again and I wasn't expecting to go there again my self.
When I presented the gift to my Dad (who's a carpenter by trade), I WAS HORRIFIED AND LIVID TO DISCOVER THEY HAD SWAPPED IT FOR A DIFFERENT PIECE WHICH WAS SMALLER AND INFERIOR!!!!!!
My father didn't know what I had originally selected but appreciated it as all Dads do.

The following year, my travels took me near enough and my anger straight back into the store to change the piece. I was met with incredulousness and told I could not get any retribution bc "No no no. We would neVer do such a thing. If you want a different piece, you'll have to buy it like every one else".

What they did to me really hurt and every time I look at the piece, I am reminded of how was tricked. Don't let it happen to you. Shop some where else!
Written 4 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Domigirl
Goffstown, NH36 contributions
Nice store!
Oct. 2018
There were 2 floors packed with quality souvenirs. We did pick up a number of shirts and other items but they aren't giving anything away. If you are looking for 1-stop shopping this is it. Parking and driving in this area of Stone Town was a nightmare. My advise is take a cab!
Written 9 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
George KS
Dubai, United Arab Emirates12 contributions
High quality souvenir shop
Dec. 2018 • Couples
Top quality souvenirs; prices are of course higher than elsewhere.
No pressure from staff to buy.
Space is air conditioned and they accept credit cards
Written 17 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jazulu
Wexford, Ireland65 contributions
The most convenient spot for souvenir shopping
Nov. 2018
I read a lot of great reviews on Trip Advisor, how this was great for having good aircon, and you could get everything under one roof. I didn't think it was great. The aircon was nice, but not brilliant, and there was somewhere for my old Dad to sit while I shopped, they take credit cards and there is a large selection - all of that is true. Which makes it very very convenient. But apart from the Christmas decorations (pretty impossible to find in a Muslim country, and which I try to buy wherever I go), pretty much everything else could be found in greater variety and at better prices in the streets of Stonetown. But if convenience is important to you, this is the place to go. Oh, and the excellent free map they distribute.
Written 1 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
88AVANTI
176 contributions
As Good As Souvenir Shopping In Stonetown Gets
Oct. 2018 • Couples
Memories is a big AIR CONDITIONED store, with a huge and varied inventory at reasonable prices. Also, the large staff is friendly and very helpful. It's hands down the best souvenir shopping venue in Stonetown and unless you just like to stand in the heat and hondle with shopkeepers to save a few shillings there's really no competition. One disappointment, Memories doesn't stock any of the famous Zanzibar boxes. Go figure.
Written 15 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
25wanderlings
185 contributions
For tourists, but real stuff and no haggling
Sep. 2018 • Couples
Stonetown is filled with shops, but the problems are: you can't tell in most places which stuff is authentic and what is Chinese made junk and you have to haggle. Memories has two floors of goods, all prices are clearly marked, and goods contain labels telling you where they were made. Top that off with working air conditioning and you should make a stop in here when finishing up gift shopping in Zanzibar.
Written 2 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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