Mombasa Old Town

Mombasa

#7 Among Things To Do in Mombasa

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Weather :

Tags : Commercial Street

Timings : 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM every day

Entry Fee : Free but additional cost for attractions

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Old Town, Mombasa Overview

Mombasa Old Town in Kenya is a historic neighbourhood known for its narrow streets and diverse culture. It's home to Swahili, Arab, Asian, Portuguese, and British communities, and you can see their influence in the unique architecture. Visitors love exploring on walking tours, learning about the locals, and taking beautiful photos of the area.

At the center of Mombasa Old Town stands Fort Jesus, a 16th-century Portuguese fort built to protect the port. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers exhibitions displaying pottery and Omani jewelry, and hosts research programs. Visitors can explore the Mombasa Butterfly House inside the fort, home to various tropical butterflies, and the Hindu Temple center, which sheds light on the city's history and Hindu religion. Additionally, the Old Town provides chances to shop for souvenirs, enjoy local cafes, taste Kenyan coffee and tea, and experience nightlife at spots like Avanti or Bella Vista.

1. Fort Jesus

Fort Jesus in Mombasa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist spot. Designed by an Italian architect, Fort Jesus was built in the 16th century between 1593 and 1596 to protect Mombasa's (Read More)Old Port. Its thick walls, about a meter wide, are covered in graffiti from Europeans, writings in Arabic, and decorations from the Swahili culture. It's a great place to explore the region's history and cultural heritage.
Timing: Monday to Sunday - 08:00 AM to 05:30 PM
Entry Fee: Non-resident: Adults - $9, Child - $4.53 | Residents: Adult - Ksh 400, Child - Ksh 200 | Citizen: Adult - Ksh 200, Child - Ksh 100

One of Africa’s most popular live butterfly exhibits, the Mombasa Butterfly House, is located within the Fort Jesus Museum on Nkrumah Road. It consists of a large variety of butterflies bred and (Read More) preserved in their natural environment. The best time to visit is in the morning when the butterflies are the most active.
Timings: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Entry Fees : Non-Residents: Adult: KSH 500, Child: KSH 250
East Africans: Adult: KSH 200, Child: KSH 100
Kenyan Citizen: Adult: KSH 100, Child: KSH 50

The Mombasa Tusks is a monument over Moi Avenue. It is also known as Pembe za Ndovu, meaning elephant tusks in Swahili. It was originally made of wood and was built to resemble elephant tusks. But in (Read More)recent years, it has been reconstructed in aluminium to resemble an M shape, coincidentally standing for the first letter in Mombasa.