Mombasa
Kenya
- Fort Jesus
- Mombasa Old Town
- Haller Park
- Diani Beach
- Mombasa Marine National Park
About Mombasa
Mombasa, built largely on an island on the Indian Ocean, is Kenya's second-largest city and East Africa's busiest port. For centuries it was a Swahili trading hub where Arab, Persian, Indian and Portuguese merchants met.
Fort Jesus, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the narrow lanes of the Old Town, white beaches and coral reefs are its main draws.
How many days do you need?
Allow three days: one for Fort Jesus and the Old Town, one for Haller Park and the north-coast beaches of Nyali and Bamburi, and one for Diani Beach to the south. Boat trips offer snorkelling on the coral reefs.
Where to stay
- Nyali — On the north coast, with hotels, malls and a beach.
- Bamburi and Shanzu — A beach strip lined with resort hotels.
- Diani — South of the city, a resort area with a long white beach.
From the airport to the city
Moi International Airport (MBA) is on the mainland west of the city; take a taxi or a ride-hailing car into town. The Madaraka Express (SGR) train from Nairobi arrives at Mombasa Terminus in Miritini.
Getting around
Taxis, tuk-tuks and matatus, the shared minibuses, are the main ways to get around, and ride-hailing apps are common. The Likoni ferry crosses to the south coast.
Good to know
- Wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees in the Old Town and near mosques.
- It is hot and humid year-round; the long rains fall mainly from about April to June.
- The official languages are Swahili and English. The currency is the Kenyan shilling.
Useful links
- Kenya Railways (Madaraka Express) krc.co.ke
When to go?
Best time to visit for the weather: April and June–November. The warmest month is February (average high 96 °F); the wettest is May (9.6 in).
Monthly climate
| Month | Avg. high °F | Rain in | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 94.1 | 0.79 | Very hot |
| February | 95.7 | 0.69 | Very hot |
| March | 93.2 | 2.54 | Very hot |
| April | 88.0 | 5.90 | Good |
| May | 84.4 | 9.56 | Cool or rainy |
| June | 83.1 | 3.20 | Good |
| July | 83.1 | 1.70 | Good |
| August | 84.9 | 1.27 | Good |
| September | 87.1 | 2.00 | Good |
| October | 88.9 | 3.61 | Good |
| November | 89.6 | 4.76 | Good |
| December | 90.9 | 3.08 | Very hot |
Source: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), 2005–2024 monthly averages of daily high temperature and total rainfall. Values are estimates for an area of about 50 km and may differ from the city-centre weather station.
More in this region
Public holidays 2027
- New Year's DayJanuary 1
- End of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) *March 9
- Good FridayMarch 26
- Easter SundayMarch 28
- Easter MondayMarch 29
- Labour DayMay 1
- Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) *May 16
- Madaraka DayJune 1
- Moi DayOctober 10
- Mashujaa DayOctober 20
- Jamhuri DayDecember 12
- Christmas DayDecember 25
- Boxing DayDecember 26
* Date follows the lunar calendar and may shift by a few days.
Sources: date-holidays and python-holidays open data projects; for Northern Cyprus, its public holidays law.
Practical info
- CurrencyKenyan Shilling (Sh)
- Dialling code+254
- Plugs & voltageType G · 240 V · 50 Hz
- Emergency999 / 112
- DrivingOn the left
Sources: IEC plug types, Wikidata, Wikipedia; unverified details are left blank.