Beit-el-Sahel in Wete

(By Sept 2022)Currently closed for renovations for unknown time.

Dont know what tours/visits other fellow reviewers were on, but we just walked by and the museum is CLOSED for long time, nice building though.

I impressed here very historical and base in reality of life how zanzibarian they was live

Good 👍

The best only if you wants to learn and see how the Sultans and their wives lived and you will also see they are furnitures everything in where they lived and lastly you can see some of their Graves there so it’s good for who is curious about Sultanate history and see some of their things

Ive been here oneday.. i got to know coup of histories that I couldnt understand them before, that was an unforgettable day in my life

😍

Been there and it looked like I have never been there before! It is such an amazing place

Great zanzibar historic site.

The museum is closed for renovations. Tragically the only interesting museum close by, the House of Wonders, collapsed a few years ago so there is nothing to visit around but the fort.

Sultans palace also known as the peoples palace museum is one of the best place to visit when your in Zanzibar the museum is packed with a rich history of Zanzibar during slavery and after revolution defiantly a worth visit for scholars, researchers and tourists. Please do enjoy your stay at Zanzibar.

People of this place very amazing and appriciating all tourists who came this place to get more info about.

Needs to be refurbished and a lot of attentionNeeds experienced and professional guides

Its closed. Apparently the janitor is running it as his own business bcoz he charged us 3 dollars each to let us in & when we got in, we discovered its actually completely empty, except for some paintings on the wall and it was then that he told us its closed for renovations. They even wanted us to pay 6 $ each at first but we found the price on the internet and told them its supposed to be 3 only so they said ok no problem!! Basically we got scammed. The place is empty and not even worth half a dollar

An overview to Sultans’ life and Princess Salme with a nice guide, precious pieces inside (l loved the Indian carving seats! and there is even a painting of young Queen Elisabeth), however it lacks maintenance.

While this museum may indeed not be freshly renovated or state of the art, it did offer what I personally look for in a history museum: a good introduction to local history! The quality of the tour guide (who work for a tipwas quiet good, he seemed knowledgeable and had answers to my questions, and seems to actually enjoy talking about the islands history. The place, though old and yes, probably underfunded, does show some rooms with original furniture, paintings and photographs. I would definitely recommend it for anyone interested in getting a glimpse into Zanzibari history

It is one of the main historical buildings in the city on the seafront. It was built in the 19th century as the residence of the Sultans family. After the Zanzibar Revolution, in 1964 it was officially renamed the Peoples Palace and was used as the seat of the government and in 1994 it became a museum about the royal family and Zanzibar.

Im giving this place a 5 star rating because it really is something that you should visit while you are in Zanzibar. The history here is really fascinating. The tour guides are also great. However, this place is falling apart due to old age and the weather. I dont know who to blame: the government or the museum director? Cant they apply to UNESCO to get a grant to fix the place up? Write some letter to different embassies to get some grants. One of the last princesses married a German and became a German citizen. Maybe the Germans could help? The last Sultan of Zanzibar moved to Britain. Maybe the Brits could help. Start doing something before you completely lose your history! As an example, the House of Wonders next door just collapsed!

Historical place located in stone town where sultan used to live with his family...worth visit to learn about sultans history

This historic monument lacks the preservation and conservation such a place should have. Fabrics are exposed to the elements, the furniture is run down and a shadow of what a Sultans Palace really looked like. No effort or funds are invested in this property and in a few years, nothing will be left. Very sad. Contains loads of pictures and furniture and some old cars which tell their own stories. One of the things Stone Town is known for and the story of the Princess who married a German is interesting

The history of this buildings is so nice,i really like it do not hasitate to visit this place.

One of the most historical place around stone town, the place is filled with historical items and furniture from Sultans palace. If you want to learn about Zanzibar you have to pass by this place. Its remarkable place.

A great historical site where you can see how the sultan live and work also you will be surprised by the advanced technology at the time !! Such as an elevator which was there Almost hundred years ago which is the first elevator in Africa as well as the electricity..

Located in Zanzibar Stone town, Beit el Sahel is a monumental house. You can see it as you take your walk along the town.

Old palace of sultan in Zanzibar. Some of the furniture from bygone days. The building is in need of maintenance. Shows a bit of what life was during Zanzibas days as capital.

So insightful place. Seeing so much about Sultanate history in Zanzibar

Good historical place. Museum a bit run down but interesting. Worth the 3 Euros entrance.

What a memorial place this is? Practically it gave me a good understanding of what I had studied back in school. I would encourage schools to organize such trip for the students. I covered all the history of the sultans in just a few hours. Thanks to tour guide Issa Adam

Apart from being one of the UNESCO heritage sight, there are nearby local Food hotels and restaurants where you can get affordable meals while enjoying the beauty of Beit El Sahel

Nice historical building. Museum is under repairs when we visited so a pity.

The museum (Palacewas in a poor condition, and the restoration with funds from Oman and UNESCO is underway. The guide, included with the admission 6000 TZS, takes you around and explains the history of the palace quite well, and a good place to learn a little about Zanzibars history. Takes about 45-60mins. The view from the balcony is amazing.

My museum guide Sidu did a great job of taking me through the museum exhibits. Do not go without a guide. Entry ticket on the higher side but guide with a small tip makes it worthwhile.

Great Museum with interesting artifacts and stories from the past.

Fantastic Place located in Stone Town,Rich and full of Zanzibars History and has tour guides whom will educate you on the rich political history of Zanzibar with its previous rulers(Sultansand you get to have a view(From the Top Floorof the Islands surrounding the main island like prison island and the island of Graves. Cheap Price for non locals(Less than $5and $1 for the locals. Make sure to visit.

Im not sure that collection of that museum opens the door into sultans life. Youll just see bunch of furniture originated mostly from India and few rooms seem to have the space organized the way it was years ago.

Nice place and guide .enjoyed my tour hopeful will return with family n friends sometime to come

This is a very interesting stop for those who are history buffs, others may be a little bored by it.This is the original palace of the sultans completed in 1832 and was home to all of them, their concubines and family until the 12th sultan fled to the UK in the Zanzibar Revolution.It has period pieces and some copies on display of trade pacts, armaments, cars, furniture (most of the display is furniturefrom the sultans.A few of the stops along the way have beautiful views of the ocean.Worth a look.

It is the Zanzibar Museum but we found it closed for renovations

If you are visiting Zanzibar, Beit-el-Sahel or Palace museum is a Must to visit which will take you through the time travel. Zanzibar authorities preserved the place very nicely. The terrace overlooking the sea is simply refreshing and shall make you melancholy.

One of the main sights. Small entrance fee.

Its very sad and dissappointing that this historical place has been neglected and left in disrepair condition. This is my 3 visit in 15 years and every time I bring friends I am more dissapointed. Most rooms have been turned into offices. The furnitures are not in any order😕. My last visit in 2013 Seyyidah Selmas room was on the left hand side as you go up the stairs, now we are led to believe the room she stayed is on the right hand side? As you come up stairs. So which room did she stay. My research tells me she never stayed at this palace.Again the beautiful priceless oil paintings used to be have been un necessarly removed and shoved on another wall.The entrance to the place could be tidied up to make it more welcome to visitors. Thank fully the garden is better looked after than previous years. Please re invest the money into the building before it becomes anothet Beit Al Ajaib😢

If you expect something historic you will find the private and public space of a sultans house, mostly from 20th century. Although as wonder house is closed for repairing process. It is the only historic house in the city. It is worth a visit.

Visited while on holiday, on tour to prison island. Interesting trip. Enjoyed a meal at restaurant overlooking Indian ocean.

Quite interesting place for understanding Sultan in Zanzibar.

My husband and I visited late in the day (around 6 PMand were pleasantly surprised that they were still open. The museum staff welcomed us in, and we had the place to ourselves. The entrance fee was 10,000 TSH per person. There’s plenty to see, and I found the room for Princess Salme particularly interesting. There are old photos, mirrors, paintings, and furniture primarily with brief descriptions in Swahili and English. Like others have mentioned, the preservation is not comparable to what I might see in the US. There are some relevant souvenirs available for purchase like Princess Salme’s autobiography.

The Sultans Palace called in Arabic as Bait As-Sahel is one of the main historical buildings of Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania. The palace was built in late 19th century to serve as a residence for the Sultans family. After the Zanzibar Revolution, in 1964 it was formally renamed to Peoples Palace and used as a government seat. In 1994, it became a museum about the Zanzibar royal family and history.

Interesting place with several floors of historic furniture, paintings etc. I wouldnt recommend going to far out of your way to visit but if you are near stone town it is worth an hour of your time.

A 3$ entry fee will take you through the history of rulers in Zanzibar at the time of omani occupation, for history lovers

Interesting place with some cool history. Would give it another star if we werent saddled with an unwanted tour guide who was out for a tip (of course). We just wanted to browse the palace and read the info-graphics but he stuck with us.

Interesting place to see interior of royal home in Zanzibar style. In general it is beautiful, there are beautiful view from window, a lot of original old furniture, pictures, rare stuff. But it requires some repair.