Top places to visit in Mombasa

• Fort Jesus

  Fort · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · entry KES 1,200

  16th-century Portuguese fort guarding the Old Port — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and museum of Swahili-coast history.

• Nyali Beach

  Beach · 4.4 rating · about 3 h

  A long stretch of white sand north of the island with resorts, water sports and camel rides at low tide.

• Haller Park

  Nature · 4.3 rating · about 2.5 h · entry KES 1,200

  A former limestone quarry rehabilitated into a wildlife sanctuary with giraffe, hippos, crocodiles and a reptile park.

• Jumba la Mtwana

  Heritage · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · entry KES 500

  Ruins of a 14th-century Swahili settlement in a coastal grove north of Mombasa — mosques and houses of coral rag.

• Mombasa Tusks (Pembe za Ndovu)

  Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 0.3 h

  The aluminium elephant-tusk arches over Moi Avenue, built for a 1952 royal visit and now the city's emblem.

• Mamba Village

  Wildlife · 4.2 rating · about 1.5 h · entry KES 1,200

  East Africa's largest crocodile farm with feeding shows, a botanical garden and horse riding in Nyali.

• Mombasa Marine National Park

  Nature · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · entry USD 17

  A protected coral reef off Nyali and Bamburi — snorkelling and glass-bottom-boat trips over reef fish and coral gardens.

• Mombasa Old Town

  Heritage · about 2 h

  A warren of Swahili, Arab and Portuguese streets near Fort Jesus — carved doors, spice shops, mosques and cafes.

Things to do

• Fort Jesus & Old Town Guided Walk Walking Tour · 2.5 h · from KES 2,500 per person
• Mombasa Marine Park Snorkelling Trip Water Sports · 4 h · from KES 5,000 per person
• Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise Cruise · 3 h · from KES 7,000 per person
• Haller Park Nature Walk Nature · 2 h · from KES 1,500 per person

Day trips and tours

• Mombasa Old Town & Fort Jesus Heritage Day 6 h · from KES 6,000

Where to stay in Mombasa

• Nyali

  North-of-the-island beach suburb with resorts, Haller Park and easy access to town.

• Mombasa Old Town

  Atmospheric Swahili quarter beside Fort Jesus with guesthouses and history at every corner.

• Shanzu & Bamburi

  North-coast resort strip with all-inclusive hotels and long sandy beaches.

Hotels

• Tulia House Backpackers 2-star · KES 1,500 to KES 5,000 per night
• Serena Beach Resort & Spa 5-star · KES 22,000 to KES 40,000 per night
• Voyager Beach Resort 4-star · KES 15,000 to KES 26,000 per night
• Sentrim Castle Royal Hotel 3-star · KES 8,000 to KES 14,000 per night

Where to eat

• The Tamarind Mombasa Seafood, Swahili · about KES 4,000 per person
• Forodhani Sea Front Restaurant Seafood, Swahili · about KES 1,800 per person
• New Recoda Swahili, Kenyan · about KES 800 per person
• Blue Room Indian, Fast Food · about KES 900 per person
• New Chetna Indian, Vegetarian · about KES 800 per person
• Tarboush Cafe Middle Eastern, Swahili · about KES 1,000 per person

Getting around

• Ferry main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Minibus main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Ride Hail main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Tuktuk main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Walking

  Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.

Safety and scams to avoid

• Beach boys & 'papasi' touts

  Nyali, Bamburi & Diani beaches

  Touts attach themselves as unofficial guides or sell tours, curios or safaris at inflated prices and pressure for tips or deposits.

  How to avoid it: Politely decline and book through your hotel; agree any price in writing before starting.

• Curio 'special price' overcharging

  Old Town & beach markets

  Vendors quote foreigners several times the real price for carvings, kikoys and souvenirs.

  How to avoid it: Bargain hard (start around a third of the asking price) and compare a few stalls before buying.

More in Kenya

• Nairobi
• Maasai Mara
• Amboseli
• Diani Beach
• Malindi
• Nakuru