This large, white building dominates the waterfront area of Zanzibar Town, and is one of its best-known landmarks. A perfect rectangle, it is one of the largest buildings on the island even today, rising over several storeys, surrounded by tiers of pillars and balconies, and topped by a large clock tower. After more than a century of use as a palace and government offices, it opened in 2002 as the Museum of History and Culture and showcasing aspects of traditional Swahili and Zanzibari cultures along with artefacts from the wider East Africa region.

The large interior courtyard is dominated by a Mtepe, a traditional Swahili boat. Next to it is a car that belonged to the first president of semi-autonomous Zanzibar, Abeid Karume. Other notable exhibits include a portrait of the notorious slave trader, Tippu Tip, ceremonial Swahili garments known as kangas, and traditional Swahili fishing tools.