Historic Towns in Mombasa
Old Town: Ancient Heart of Mombasa Awaits
Today’s Mombasa is a curious mix of tropical paradise and nostalgia, enliven by the quiet hospitality of the coastal people. The island is renowned for its resorts and ancient relics. To understand Mombasa today you have to go yonder to Old Town, to its ancient roots. Since the 9th century Mombasa has been a hotbed of upheaval and, more importantly, a hub of East Africa ocean trade. It is within Old Town Mombasa that the Portuguese, Omani Arab, Indian traders, missioners and explorers commenced their journey. It holds a special regard as a must-see, too!
Covering 180-acres at the southeast end of Mombasa Island, across from Tudor Creek, A.S.K Mombasa Grounds and English Point Marina on the mainland, Old Town Mombasa is a most captivating historic asset with centuries old buildings, an interesting combination of architecture and an unadulterated Swahili culture. It is roughly demarcated by Fort Jesus Museum in the south, Makadara Road in the west, Mombasa Hospital in the north, and the Indian Ocean along the east flank.
Although the 21st Century has indeed reached Mombasa County, it is certainly not over-much in evidence at Old Town where Taarab, one of Swahilis’ oldest music genres, voiced as music that makes the heart fly, heard all around, sets the mood for a fetching cultural passage akin to walking through a living museum. Old Town consists of a maze of alleys and beige coral-rag houses sometimes enlivened with charming ornate carved doors, which have hardly changed for over a centuries. It resembles the ancient Arab “mtaa” towns. Arabs, who were first to use the island for settlement, founded Old Town in their unique way and left an indelible mark.
Wander through a labyrinth of narrow, sun-dappled streets where the air hums with centuries of history, and every corner whispers tales of sultans, traders, and explorers. A glimpse into the past via rustic architecture and fascinating stories. It is a mesmerizing blend of Swahili, Arab, Portuguese, and British influences ergo living museum of ornate balconies, intricately carved doors, and bustling bazaars fragrant with spices. The distant call to prayer mingles with laughter of children playing, while the scent of freshly brewed coffee drifts from hidden courtyards.
Here, time moves at its own rhythm—slow, storied, and utterly enchanting. A rich tapestry of history, culture and shopping. Old Town Mombasa always makes for an agreeable afternoon walking adventure on a tour that could last one to two hours, or more. The crown-jewel at Old Town is, of course, Fort Jesus Museum, that is also the preferred start-point. From Fort Jesus the narrow path goes past a tiny mosque via Mbarak Hinawy Road, taking one deep into the lovely Old Town.
There is plenty to see at Old Town, to include: Mombasa Club [oldest club in Kenya], Africa Hotel [the oldest eatery in Kenya], Mandhry Mosque [built in 1830], Old Post Office [founded in 1899], Old Port [with over 1,000 years of history], Sanaa Gallery [office of Allidina Visram], Bohra Mosque [founded in 1892], the Leven House and Steps [named after HMS Leven that toured Mombasa in 1824], Reitz House [former Portuguese warehouse], Mombasa House [built around 1880], White House [station for the Church Missionary Society], Lookmanji Curio Shop, Jubilee Hall [built in 1850 to mark Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee], Mazrui Graveyard, Old Law Courts [opened in 1902 by Sir Charles Eliot], Pigott Place and Swahili Centre.
Historic towns around the world offer a glimpse into the past, preserving architecture, culture, and stories from different eras. In Kenya, some of the oldest towns are found along the coast, where medieval trade put on the map long before developments in the hinterland. Among these is Lamu town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its Swahili architecture and cultural traditions.
Index of Relic & Historic Towns Around Kenya
Baringo County - Tambach, Homa Bay County - Old Kendu Bay Town, Isiolo County - Isiolo Town, Garba Tula, Kilifi County - Old Town Takaungu, Mambrui, Kwale County - Old Town Vanga, Vumba Kuu, Kwale, Lamu County - Lamu Old Town, Witu, Shela, Faza, Manda, Mandera County - El Wak, Migori County - Awendo-Sori, Mombasa County - Old Town Mombasa, Nyandarua County - Njabini town, Samburu County - Archer's Post, Tana River County - Old Town Kipini, Wajir County - Old Town Wajir
outlook
Well-famous for its rich Swahili culture, stunning beaches, and vibrant nightlife – acclaimed as one of the top destinations in Kenya – Mombasa County is home to Mombasa City, Kenya’s second-largest city and a primary port town that has been a key trade center for centuries. Mombasa County is more than just beaches—it’s a cultural melting pot with history, adventure, and guaranteed jambos.
You Are Here: Old Town Mombasa
Where to Next?
Explore Destinations in Old Town Mombasa
A Guide to Mombasa County
A Summa Digest of Mombasa
About Mombasa Way Back When
80 Destinations in Mombasa County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north then east - with the aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Arab Rifle's Monument, Buli Monument, Fort Jesus Curio Shop, Camel Joint, Old Town Mombasa, Fort Jesus Museum I World Heritage Site, Mombasa Butterfly House, Santo Antonio de Tanna, Swahili Cultural Center, Sanaa Gallery, Old Port Mombasa, Leven House I Steps, Forodhani Restaurant, The Mandhry Mosque, Burhani Mosque, Tulia Backpackers, Bahdala Mosque, Mazrui Cemetery, Old Law Courts, Treasury Square, Africa Hotel, Kizingo BBQ, St. Joseph's Fort, Ras Serani Lighthouse, Kizingo War Camp, Mombasa Golf Club, Mama Ngina Waterfront Park, Shelly Beach, The Likoni Floating Bridge, Mbaraki Creek, Mombasa Yatch Club, Mbaraki Pillar, The Mombasa Mbaraki Cemetery, The Little Theatre Club, Kilindini Harbour, The Mombasa Memorial Church, The Holy Ghost Catholic Cathedral, Lord Shiva Temple, The Old Mombasa Railway Station, Railways Park, Mombasa African Memorial, Mombasa’s Tusks, Fort Makupa, Kibarani Recreation Park, Akamba Handicraft Shop, Manyimbo War Cemetery, Tudor Water Sports Marina, Nyali Bridge, ACK Emmanuel, The Kengeleni Monument, Bahari Beach Resort, Tamarind Dhow Cruise, Krapf Memorial Heritage Park, Kenyatta Public Beach, Bombolulu Workshop, Haller Park, Mombasa Butterfly Pavilion, Bamburi Rifle Range, Mombasa Go-Kart, Suli Suli Fishing, Nguuni Nature Sanctuary, Mamba Village, Nyali Golf & Country Club, Wild Waters, Nyali Shopping Mall, Mombasa Marine Park I Reserve, Ngomongo Village, Shimo la Tewa Site, The Moorings, La Marina Restaurant
Know More About Mombasa County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - with the aid of a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Mombasa County can be split into 3 zones: 1. Coastal plain, covering parts the Island; 2. The hilly areas rising gently from 45 ms to 132 ms asl in the west; and 3. The Indian Ocean, creeks and the shoreline.
Mombasa County is generally warm and humid. A tropical wet and dry climate influenced by warm sea breezes year-round. May is generally the wettest month, then April and June. March is the hottest, peaking at 33oC, with average temperatures across the year rarely falling below 24oC; July and August.
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