Top Things to Do in the Mombasa | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

Plan Your Travel To Mombasa

Places To Visit In Mombasa

Diani Beach

Diani Beach is one of Mombasa's most popular beaches for a spot of rest and relaxation. It is a long white sand beach with watersports like windsurfing, sailing, snorkelling, kitesurfing, diving, water-skiing and parasailing. Diani beach also has an excellent nightlife. Stretching to about 10 kms, this beach is a famous beach resort of Mombasa. Spot beautiful sunsets here as well as the cheeky black and white colobus monkeys. You can indulge in kitesurfing at this beach as well. Read More

You cannot leave the city without visiting this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Designed by an Italian architect, Fort Jesus has become a major tourist attraction. It may not be in the best condition, but the ruins give it an aura of mystery and majesty. It houses a museum with a couple of exhibits as well as Omani House, which displays the jewellery of the Omanis and tells you about how they lived.

Haller Park is a nature reserve that is a must-visit for all animal lovers. Zebras, hippos, giraffes and more call this nature reserve their home. The park also housed a tortoise that was 130 years old! You can view all the animals and birds and even ask to feed the giraffes.

If you are travelling with children, take them to this marine park. Mombasa Marine National Park is a great place to visit if you want to spot different fish. Take a clear glass bottom boat to get to the park, and on the way, you can view the beautiful world of the waters below. You can dive in for some snorkelling and feed the fish with the help of your instructor or guide.

If you don't mind crowds and lots of stalls, visit Mombasa's Spice Market. The market is always filled with lots of people bargaining, shouting at the top of their voices and bustling around. But go here to spot amazing spices like turmeric, curry leaf powder, cardamom, cloves and more. Bargain hard and strike a fair deal to take these spices back home.

One of the hidden gems of Kenya, the Avicennia Island is secluded and stunningly beautiful. Located in the Funzi Keys, it is named after the Avicennia marina, a type of mangrove tree. The island is also known for adventure activities, such as kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, swimming, boating, bird-watching, etc. Kayaking is one of the best ways to explore the mangrove forests and the natural beauty of the island. Besides silently cruising along the waters, one can also discover the thriving biodiversity of the island which includes different bird species, oysters, mudskippers, crabs, etc. Some of the common birds found here are herons, storks, kingfishers, fish eagles, palm-nut vultures, and more. One can also camp along the island’s beach coast. Read More

Bamburi Beach on the northern coast of Mombasa is a calm and picturesque beach boasting tranquil blue waters and soft whitish sand. It is ideal for swimming and water sports like snorkelling and scuba diving. Camel riding is also popular here. One can walk around the beach while enjoying its stunning views, relax on a sunbed under a beach umbrella, read or even watch the sunset. The Bamburi Beach is close to the Mombasa Marina National Park Reserve’s protected coral reefs. There are several restaurants and cafes around the beach, along with several nightclubs. There might be a few vendors around selling small items as well. Read More

Jomo Kenyatta Public Beach, locally known as Pirates Beach, is the only public beach in Mombasa. It borders Bamburi beach in the south and Nyali beach in the north. Many locals come to the sandy beach for swimming, relaxing and enjoying the stunning views of the Indian ocean. The shores are lined with numerous vendors who sell swimwear, beach equipment, and second-hand clothes, and haggling is a common practice at these kiosks. In addition, there are private changing booths along the beach and many eateries serving Swahili food. A few nightclubs and bars are in the surrounding area, with Pirates beach club and restaurant, after which the beach is locally known, being the most famous. The warmest months to visit the beach are March, April or December. It was closed to the public in 2019 for renovation purposes and reopened in 2021. Read More

Jumba la Mtwana is located in Mombasa, close to Mtwapa Creek, and is well known for its archeological relics. The ceramic remnants hint that this ruined village was built sometime in the fourteenth century. The surviving structures amidst the ruins include four mosques, one tomb and four houses.

Mama Ngina Waterfront is a seaside public park overlooking the Kilindini Channel in Mombasa County. It is visited for its expansive greenery, breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean, open alfresco restaurants, cafés and cultural exhibitions. It is popular for walking and jogging with a long palm-tree walkway from Likoni Ferry Crossing to Mombasa Golf Club. Kenya's first public landscaped waterfront, the park has an amphitheatre for cultural events and performances and Kilindini Cultural Centre. There are food vendors serving lip-smacking fried potatoes and pastries here. Mama Ngina Waterfront has two entry and exit points marked by massive gates. Reopened to the general public in 2019 after elaborate refurbishing, the park was named after the first Kenyan president, Jomo Kenyatta's wife. Read More