Kenya’s second largest city is not much like Nairobi at all. The hustle-bustle, cell phones, and expensive suits of the capital are replaced by a laid-back attitude, where locals dressed in traditional Islamic garb move as slowly as possible in the blistering heat.
The Arabic influence is quite evident in the dress, architecture, and food of Mombasa.
Mombasa is just an hour or two from three nice beaches. When you’re not in the water or soaking up the sun, take a stroll into Old Town to get a taste of Swahili culture and street food, then visit the historic Fort Jesus, or check out some of the hottest clubs in the country.
Mombasa has one of the most efficient public transport systems in Kenya. The streets are filled with Nissan matatus running several major loops around town, or north and south of Mombasa Island. You can get most of these at the Post Office on Digo and Makadara Roads, which is like a huge matatu stage. Hang around for a few minutes and listen to the matatu touts creatively yelling docks or ferry or other routes. Ask someone at your hotel where to get the Nissan you want.
If you can stand the heat, you can certainly walk around Mombasa. The main road is Digo Road, which turns into Nyerere Ave south of Moi Ave. Digo is intersected by the other three main roads, Jomo Kenyatta Ave to the north, then Haile Selassie Road, and finally the southernmost Moi Ave. Walking around Mombasa is considerable safer than Nairobi, but as always, watch what you carry around.
The old town is a section of town situated in the eastern part of Mombasa Island, east of Digo Road and Jamhuri Park. Take Makadara Rd, Nkrumah Rd, or any smaller road off of Digo east a few blocks, and you’ll find yourself in Old Town.
It is maze of narrow roads slicing between tall white buildings and stunning mosques dating back to the early 19th century. It’s easy to get lost in this maze while exploring, so make sure you always know where west is. Old Town isn’t that big, so you won’t stay lost for long.
While checking out the Swahili architecture and beautify dressed people, stop into a bakery, restaurant, market, or curio shop. After 6 pm venders set up barbecue grills on the street corners and sell snacks for few shillings a piece. The street food beats most food you get in restaurants, for a fraction of the price.
While in Old Town, don’t miss its major attraction, Fort Jesus. Fort Jesus began as a Portuguese fort in 1593, then changed hands many times in the next three centuries. Today it has been turned into a museum that is open from 8:30 am to 6 pm. Admission is KSh 200.
