Kenya’s Indian Ocean gateway is more than a launch pad to safari country, it’s a vibrant coastal melting pot where Arab, Swahili, Portuguese, British and Asian influences mingle under the equatorial sun.
From atmospheric Old Town alleys perfumed with cardamom to powder-soft stretches of Mombasa beaches backed by swaying palms, there is no shortage of memorable things to do in Mombasa and close to it. The attractions below showcase the very best places to visit in Mombasa in 2025 and beyond:
Why go: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most famous landmark in Mombasa, Fort Jesus was built by the Portuguese in 1593 to guard the harbour. Its thick coral-rag walls echo with centuries of sieges, and the small museum inside displays Portuguese cannons, Omani jewellery, Chinese porcelain and shipwreck finds.
Must-do: Take a guided evening tour capped by a sound-and-light show that dramatizes the fort’s tumultuous history; the night-time rampart views of lit-up dhows in Kilindini Harbour are spectacular.
Travel tip: Wear comfortable shoes, the fort’s staircases are steep and uneven. Arrive when it opens (8 a.m.) to photograph the stone bastions before tour groups arrive.
Why go: Just east of Fort Jesus, Mombasa’s Old Town is a maze of ivory-coloured balconies, brass-studded doors and spice-laden market stalls where the call to prayer mingles with the aroma of masala tea. Explore 19th-century mosques, a Portuguese chapel, Gujarati merchant houses and tiny antique shops brimming with carved chests and Lamu furniture.
Must-do: Join a Swahili food tour to sample viazi karai (deep-fried potatoes with mango chutney), kahawa tungu (spiced coffee) and mbaazi in coconut sauce.
Travel tip: Go in the late afternoon when the heat eases and the setting sun paints the coral-rag facades in golden hues; modest dress (covered knees and shoulders) is appreciated.
Why go: Ten minutes offshore, the sparkling, turquoise-rimmed Mombasa Marine National Park shelters vibrant coral gardens alive with parrotfish, angelfish, moray eels and the occasional green turtle. Glass-bottom boats depart daily from Nyali and Bamburi; serious snorkelers can drift over the reef led by Kenya Wildlife Service guides.
Must-do: Time your visit for low tide to picnic on glowing sandbars, then snorkel among branching acropora corals only waist-deep in water.
Travel tip: Park fees are separate from boat hire, carry Kenyan shillings or pay by card at the seaside KWS booth.
Why go: Once a barren limestone quarry, this 120-hectare ecological showpiece is now a lush nature reserve home to giraffes, hippos, eland, giant tortoises and more than 160 bird species. Redeveloped by Swiss naturalist Dr René Haller, it’s a model of habitat restoration and one of the most family-friendly places to visit in Mombasa.
Must-do: Join the 3 p.m. giraffe feeding and 4 p.m. hippo and crocodile feeding sessions; kids love the elevated walkways that bring them eye-to-eye with Rothschild’s giraffes.
Travel tip: Combine Haller Park with an afternoon on nearby Bamburi mombasa beach, you’re only a five-minute taxi ride from the coast.
Why go: Powder-fine sand, warm gin-clear water and a festive beach-bar scene make these adjacent strands the classic Mombasa beach experience. Water-sport centres rent kayaks, kites, SUPs and jet-skis, while beachfront resorts host Swahili seafood nights with live taarab music.
Must-do: Rise early for a sunrise jog along the tidal flats, then book a beginner kitesurfing lesson at Bamburi Lagoon, the steady onshore breeze is ideal for first-timers.
Travel tip: The beach is public, but sun-lounger fees are waived if you buy a drink from a hotel bar. Watch for the occasional sea urchin; lightweight reef shoes are handy.
Why go: East Africa’s largest crocodile farm houses 10,000 reptiles, from hatchlings to 5-metre adults with dinosaur-like jaws. Informative guides demystify crocodile biology and conservation, culminating in the electrifying 5 p.m. feeding when hundreds of crocs launch for meat. Horse riding, a botanical garden and an ostrich pen round out the family fun.
Must-do: Brave visitors can hold a baby crocodile (snout safely taped) for a memorable photo. Stay for dinner at the village restaurant.
Travel tip: Pair Mamba Village with nearby Nyali cinema and shopping malls for an air-conditioned escape from the afternoon heat.
Why go: Just 33 km southwest of Mombasa, Shimba Hills’ cool, mist-clad uplands shelter Kenya’s largest population of endangered sable antelope plus elephant, buffalo and leopard. The reserve’s coastal rainforest is a botanical treasure trove of rare cycads and orchids.
Must-do: Book a guided walk to Sheldrick Falls, a 25-metre cascade that plunges into a swimming-hole frequented by butterflies and Colobus monkeys.
Travel tip: Morning game drives are best, the hills often cloud over after lunch. Combine Shimba with an afternoon on nearby Diani mombasa beach for a bush-and-beach double bill.
Why go: Frequently voted Africa’s top beach, Diani’s 17 km ribbon of powder-white sand lies an hour south of Mombasa via the Likoni ferry. Beyond palm-fringed peace you’ll find stylish boutiques, Swahili-inspired restaurants and a reef-protected lagoon perfect for kite-surfing and diving with whale sharks (Nov–Mar).
Must-do: Book a full-moon dinner on the sand at Ali Barbour’s Cave, a natural coral grotto romantically lit by candles and starlight.
Travel tip: Day-trip shuttles run from Mombasa hotels, but stay overnight if you can, sunset dhow cruises with champagne are worth lingering for.
Why go: The giant aluminium elephant tusks arching over Moi Avenue are the city’s most photographed monument. Erected in 1956 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s visit, they form an “M” for Mombasa and symbolize the gateway to the coast.
Must-do: Snap the quintessential selfie under the tusks early in the morning before traffic builds. The adjacent Uhuru Garden is a handy shade spot to sip fresh coconut water.
Travel tip: Keep valuables tucked away, this is a busy urban traffic circle. Combine with a stroll through the Central Market for spices and colourful kikoys.
Why go: Ten kilometres north of the city, tidal Mtwapa Creek meanders through mangroves and opens into the Indian Ocean. By day it’s a tranquil kayaking and birding haven, by night Mtwapa town transforms into a lively bar-and-restaurant strip famous for seafood grills, live bands and pulsating clubesque lounges.
Must-do: Charter a dhow at sunset, most trips include grilled prawns, cold Tusker beer and a soundtrack of coastal taarab. Later, sample coconut crab curry at the floating Moorings restaurant or dance till late at the vibrant La Follia.
Travel tip: Use reliable taxis (Bolt/Uber) to hop between creekside spots after dark, and carry insect repellent for dusk boat cruises.
One day in Mombasa: Combine Fort Jesus, Old Town, the Tusks and an afternoon snorkel in Mombasa Marine Park.
Weekend city & beach break: Add Bamburi/Nyali beaches, an evening at Haller Park, and a dhow dinner on Mtwapa Creek.
Full coastal holiday: Mix city highlights with Shimba Hills and Diani for a bush-and-beach escape.
Getting Around: Tuk-tuks and ride-hail apps are cheap for short hops; self-drive is possible but traffic is hectic.
Best Time to Visit: July – October and December – March offer sunny skies and calm seas. We’d recommend avoiding booking between April–June when it is the long rainy season.
Dress Code: Light cottons for the heat and modest attire in Old Town and religious sites. Reef shoes are useful for low-tide coral.
Health & Safety: Use reef-safe sunscreen, stay hydrated, and heed lifeguard flags on public beaches.
Whether you’re hunting centuries-old secrets in Portuguese forts, sipping masala tea in spice-scented alleys, or kite-surfing across an impossibly blue lagoon, Mombasa delivers an intoxicating mix of culture, nature and sun-soaked leisure. Pin these ten highlights to your map and you’ll discover the quintessential places to visit in Mombasa.
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