Mombasa is Kenya’s largest port city, an ancient melting pot that represents the epicenter of Swahili culture in Kenya. For many folks, Mombasa may serve as a pass-through city on the way to Kenya’s beach towns, such as Diani to the south, or Watamu and Kilifi to the north.
However, the bustling city of Mombasa has plenty of charm and deserves at least a day or two in its own right. If you’ve only got one weekend in the city, I would recommend spending it in the neighborhood of Old Town Mombasa.
Why Stay in Old Town Mombasa?
Old Town is a small neighborhood on the central island of Mombasa that takes you back in time. Narrow streets mean that tuk-tuks outnumber cars. All around you, the colonial architecture and stunning wood detailing on buildings present a rich tapestry for exploration.
The neighborhood is small enough to be easily walkable. For me, this was a breath of fresh air in a city where traffic often rules. If you do need to catch a ride somewhere, one of the many tuk-tuks can easily cart you where you need to go.
Old Town was the perfect place to spend a weekend in Mombasa as a solo female traveler because it allowed me to lean into the rhythm of the city and get to know the neighborhood by foot. This let me gain enough familiarity with vendors and locals to feel familiarity even in just one weekend. If you also have just a few days in Mombasa, here’s how to spend it in Old Town.
Where to stay in Old Town Mombasa
Tulia Backpackers Old Town
If you’re a budget traveler/backpacker, Tulia Old Town, or “Tulia House”, as the locals call it, is your absolute best bet in Old Town Mombasa. Tulia has two hostels in Mombasa, with Old Town being their original location. I stayed in Tulia House twice during my Kenya adventures, and I’d absolutely return should I find myself back in Mombasa.
Tulia Old Town has both private rooms and a 10-bed dorm in its space in the heart of Old Town Mombasa. The hostel has beautiful architecture, great water views, a lovely on-site cafe, and good wifi. All in all, it makes a great home base for solo travelers and backpackers in Mombasa.
I wrote up a full review of Tulia Old Town’s pricing, location, vibes, rooms, and more. Check it out if you’re looking for more details on a great budget stay in Old Town Mombasa!
What to do in Old Town Mombasa
Take a Mombasa Street Food Tour
Mombasa is well-known for its delicious Swahili food, and in particular, its Swahili street food! A street food tour is an excellent way to get to know Old Town Mombasa. While I was there, I took a street food tour with African Food Trail. On the tour, I had a great time trying savory bites, sweet treats, and some refreshing drinks.
Check out my full post on the Mombasa street food scene to get an idea of what you might try on a tour, or to know what to look out for if you want to DIY a street food adventure!
Visit Fort Jesus
Fort Jesus is a national monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site right in Old Town Mombasa! The Portuguese originally built Fort Jesus in the 1500s to protect the port city. Since then, it has changed hands many times, embodying different functions throughout history.
These days, Fort Jesus is open to the public as a museum. When you’re at the fort, be sure to take a look at the floor plan. The fort was built in the shape of a human body, but you only notice it from an aerial view! If you’re staying at Tulia Old Town, it’s less than a ten-minute walk. No excuse not to visit Fort Jesus while you’re there!
Support Local Artisans at Imani Collective and See a Kikoi Workshop
The Imani Collective is a beautiful space which brings together the work of local artisans under one roof. I stumbled into the space on a rainy afternoon while walking in Old Town. I’m so glad that I did, as I found my favorite souvenir of the trip!
I immediately noticed the selection of colorful kikoi cloth. Kikoi is a woven cotton cloth traditionally used by Kenyans as clothing. Beyond clothing, the woman running the store explained that kikoi can also be used as throw blankets, beach towels, shawls, tablecloths, and more. As I perused the colors, she mentioned that the kikoi workshop was actually just down the road.
I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see kikoi being made, so of course I asked if I could see the workshop. In the pouring rain, we hustled around the corner and into a bustling workshop. As promised, several artisans were busy at their looms, weaving kikoi. They explained that it takes them about a day to make one kikoi, and watching the process gave me an immense appreciation for my purchase. It’s a souvenir that I’ll treasure for a long time!
Shop at Bustling Mombasa Market and Biashara Street
Mombasa Market is on the edge of Old Town Mombasa, right in the heart of a maze of shopping streets. The market itself is a medium-sized building packed full of vendors selling fruits, vegetables, spices, crafts, and plenty more. Even if you’re not looking to buy, a stroll through the market is a sensory delight, with fantastic colors and scents in every corner.
All manner of vendors pack the streets around Mombasa Market. However, if you want the most dense, all-consuming experience, make your way to Biashara Street. Biashara Street is a very narrow road that is completely lined on both sides with vendors. Many fabric shops and tailors line this street, so if you’re feeling bold and in need of some custom clothes, you’re in the right place. Otherwise, keep an eye on your feet, belongings, and surroundings as you move with the sea of people flowing down Biashara Street.
Find the Mombasa Tusks
When you google Mombasa, one of the first images is a giant “M” of massive metallic tusks over a roadway. As such, many folks flock to the tusks as the defacto photo op of Mombasa. I’ll admit, the area that the Mombasa tusks are in isn’t particularly exciting, and the tusks are a bit of a one-hit-wonder – if you’re low on time, don’t feel bad about skipping the tusks. However, the tusks are within walking distance of Old Town (or a very quick tuk-tuk). If you want to check a quintessential photo op off your list, now is the time!
Where to Eat in Old Town Mombasa
Jahazi Coffee House
Jahazi Coffee House is an absolute gem in Old Town Mombasa. It is just down the road from Tulia hostel, and right next to Imani Collective. Jahazi offers traditional Swahili coffee and tea, as well as a fantastic variety of sweet and savory snacks. Don’t miss the freshly fried mandazi spiced with cardamom, which are lovely with a hot cup of chai. They also have larger lunch dishes if you’re looking for something more filling. The prices at Jahazi are fantastic and the ambiance is calm and lovely.
Jahazi also has very good wifi, something which isn’t always easy to find. I ended up hanging out for the better part of a day and working remotely from Jahazi on one of my days in Mombasa, and it was a perfect space to do so.
Tulia Old Town
Even if you’re not staying at Tulia Old Town, their cafe is worth a stop if you’re looking for a solid refreshment or a reasonable meal. While their front cafe space is peaceful and welcoming, be sure to ask if there is space on their small balcony. If you get a balcony seat, you’ll get to enjoy a stunning waterfront view with your food!
Forodhani
Forodhani is arguably the best-known restaurant in Old Town Mombasa. They serve traditional Swahili food at budget-friendly prices, and as a bonus, are right on the water! Don’t expect a luxury dining experience, but do expect fantastic flavors and great views. I visited Mombasa during Ramadan and wasn’t able to catch Forodhani’s opening hours, but will be sure to visit when I return.
Street Food in Old Town Mombasa
I already mentioned the joys of embarking on an Old Town Mombasa street food tour above. However, even if you don’t do a tour, don’t sleep on the street food! Particularly if you’re traveling on a budget, Mombasa street food is the cheapest and tastiest option available. A few of my favorite bites and sips included falafels, mandazi, cassava crisps, and fresh-pressed sugar cane juice
Old Town Mombasa is a great place to spend a weekend as a solo budget traveler. With lovely accommodations, food, and activities all within walking distance, it’s easy to settle into the neighborhood and feel at home. Do you have favorite spots in Old Town Mombasa that I missed? Let me know so that future travelers can find them!
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