Mombasa

Kenya's second city and a thousand-year-old Swahili port, with Fort Jesus and the Old Town, Nyali's north-coast beaches, and the eastern terminus of the Mombasa–Nairobi railway.

Mombasa is Kenya's second-largest city and the biggest port in East Africa. At its heart is Mombasa Island, ringed by creeks and linked to the north coast by Nyali Bridge, to the south coast by the Likoni Ferry and to the mainland by a causeway. The city has more than a thousand years of Swahili trading history, and Fort Jesus (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), built by the Portuguese, stands beside the Arab-style Old Town — the core of any visit, easily explored on foot in half a day to a day. The north coast around Nyali, Bamburi and Shanzu is lined with beach resorts; from here you can head out to snorkel in Mombasa Marine National Park, feed giraffes at Haller Park or take a sunset dhow cruise. It is hot year-round; July–March is drier and best for a beach holiday, while April–June is the long rainy season, humid and muggy. Getting there: take the Madaraka Express on the Standard Gauge Railway from Nairobi (about 5–6 hours), or fly into Moi International Airport. Plan on 2–4 days: one for the Old Town and Fort Jesus, the rest at a north-coast beach. Diani Beach on the south coast, Tsavo National Park and Malindi/Watamu make good separate bases. Watch your belongings in the Old Town and city center, take taxis at night, and dress respectfully in keeping with local Muslim customs.

Top sights

• Fort Jesus – A coastal defence fortress built by the Portuguese in 1593. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Mombasa's most iconic historic landmark.
• Mombasa Old Town – A Swahili old town just north of Fort Jesus, where narrow lanes are lined with carved wooden doors, wooden balconies, mosques, and spice sh…
• Haller Park – An ecological park created from a disused quarry. You can feed giraffes up close, see hippos and giant tortoises, and it is a top choice fo…
• Nyali Beach – The white-sand beach closest to the city on the north coast, lined with resort hotels. Its calm lagoon makes it ideal for swimming and snor…
• Bamburi Beach – The liveliest long sandy beach on the north coast, with resorts and beach bars clustered together. Locals crowd in on weekends, giving it a…
• Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve – A coral reef conservation area offshore between Nyali and Bamburi. Take a boat out to snorkel among tropical fish and starfish, and you may…
• Mombasa Tusks – Two intersecting giant aluminum tusk arches on Moi Avenue, built in 1952 to welcome a British princess and now a symbol of the city.
• Mombasa Terminus (SGR) – The eastern terminus of the Standard Gauge Railway built by China. Riding the Madaraka Express to and from Nairobi is a classic experience.
• Tamarind Dhow Sunset Cruise – Sail on a traditional Arab dhow along Tudor Creek to watch the sun set over the Old Town and Fort Jesus, with a seafood dinner on board.
• Jumba la Mtwana – A 14th–15th-century Swahili stone-town ruin on the Mtwapa Creek, where the foundations of mosques and old houses lie hidden among seaside t…
• Shanzu Beach – A quieter, upscale resort beach on the north coast, with white sand and clear water, ideal for escaping the crowds and relaxing at a resort.
• Mamba Village – A crocodile farm and viewing center in Nyali where you can watch crocodiles being fed at dusk. The park also offers horse riding, a botanic…
• Wild Waters – A large water park in Nyali with multiple slides and a wave pool, plus go-karts and other rides. Great for families.
• Bombolulu Workshops & Cultural Centre – Craft workshops and a cultural village run by a disability association, where you can watch jewelry and wood carving being made and shop in…
• Nguuni Nature Sanctuary – Haller Park's sister sanctuary, where giraffes, ostriches, and antelopes roam open grassland. Ideal for a sunset picnic.
• Mackinnon Market (Marikiti) – A colonial-era market in the city center, with heaps of tropical fruit, spices, and vegetables that offer a taste of Mombasa's everyday lif…
• Shree Jain Temple Mombasa – One of Africa's earliest Jain temples, with a white marble facade, gilded spires, and finely carved decoration. Visitors can go inside.
• Holy Ghost Cathedral, Mombasa – A Catholic cathedral completed in 1918, with twin towers and a dome that blend Neoclassical and Romanesque styles. A striking landmark in t…
• Akamba Handicraft Cooperative – A woodcarving cooperative beside the airport road, where hundreds of Akamba artisans carve on site and ebony animal sculptures can be bough…

Where to eat

• Tamarind Mombasa – Mombasa's flagship seafood restaurant, opened in 1972. It overlooks the Old Town across Tudor Creek from Nyali and is b…
• Tarboush Restaurant – A very popular, affordable halal eatery on Makadara Road, serving charcoal-grilled chicken tikka and chicken shawarma w…
• Forodhani Restaurant – A seaside terrace restaurant by the Old Port in Mombasa's Old Town, five minutes' walk from Fort Jesus. It serves a sea…
• Shehnai Restaurant – A long-established Mughlai Indian restaurant in Mombasa, open since 1984. Its tandoori grills, biryani and coconut praw…

Itineraries

• Amboseli, Tsavo & Diani Beach – A southern safari route combined with a Madaraka Express train ride to the coast, connecting savannah and beach without…
• Swahili Coast: South to North – Travel from south to north visiting Diani, Mombasa, Watamu, and Lamu to experience pristine beaches and historic towns.