Top 5 Tourist Attractions in Mombasa

Fort Jesus in Mombasa, Kenya

There is so much to do in Mombasa, Kenya that it can be difficult to decide on just a few attractions. If you plan on vacationing in this tropical city for a week, that really isn’t enough time to see all of that it has to offer.

There are many Mombasa hotels throughout the region that can provide you with great comfort and amenities and also ideal proximity to some of the best attractions. While you will notice many different “Top 5” lists with regard to attractions in Mombasa, we have attempted to compile a list of the most consistently recommended tourist attractions throughout the city.

1. Fort Jesus.

This is arguably one of the most top rated attractions throughout Mombasa. It was built between 1593 and 1596 by the Portuguese. It is a World Heritage site and has a tremendous amount of history.

Fort Jesus was built in the shape of a person and earned its name based on the religious reference. It changed hands nine times throughout history, between 1631 and 1875. Here you will see many damaged and destroyed buildings within the compound from numerous battles throughout history.

2. Marine National Park.

If you enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling, the Mombasa Marine National Park is one of the ideal destinations to check out. Here you will see protected mangroves, sandy beaches and an incredible coral reef. You can swim or snorkel among seahorses, eels, stingrays, and an abundance of marine wildlife.

3. The North Coast beaches.

North of Mombasa tends to have more tourists than the southern coast. But these palm lined beaches and incredibly clear waters offer coral reefs and plenty of water sports to keep you occupied throughout your entire visit. If you didn’t have any real interest in visiting other tourist attractions, you would probably still have an incredible vacation just hanging out at beaches like Nyali Beach, Bamburi Beach, and Shanzu Beach.

4. Old Town.

Along the southeast portion of Mombasa Island is a place called Old Town. It is reminiscent of the period of time in which the Portuguese ruled this region. Most of the town’s inhabitants are either Arab, Asian, or of European origin and the various architecture reflects their background.

Here you can spend an afternoon checking out different cafés, shopping for antiques, and picking up some unique souvenirs to bring home.

5. The Mambo Village Center.

Located in Nyali, it is East Africa’s largest crocodile farm. Here you can learn all about these incredible creatures and you even have the option of going for a horseback ride throughout the area. You can also see an amazing botanical garden with an aquarium here.

These are just a few of the amazing attractions that you will find in Mombasa, so make sure you choose a hotel that makes it simple and convenient for you to enjoy as much as possible.