The Complete Guide · Attractions
Things to Do in Mombasa
A UNESCO fortress, a spice-scented Old Town, wildlife parks carved from old quarries, coral reefs and family favourites — here are the best attractions and things to do in Mombasa, with fees, hours and how to fit them together.
Start Here
Few African cities pack as much into so small a space as Mombasa. In a single day you can walk the ramparts of a 16th-century Portuguese fort, get lost in the carved-door lanes of the Old Town, feed a giraffe at a reclaimed quarry, and snorkel a marine park before dinner. This guide is the complete rundown of the best things to do in Mombasa — every major attraction, sorted so you can plan by interest, whether you’re here for history, wildlife, the water, or keeping children happy. Below each entry you’ll find the practical details, and further down a fees-and-hours table and answers to the questions travellers ask most.
The 10 essential attractions
The Attractions
Mombasa’s best sights, one by one
Ranked roughly by how essential they are to a first visit. Tap any name for the full visitor guide.
Fort Jesus
Mombasa’s single most important sight and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by the Portuguese in 1593 to guard the Old Harbour, the coral-and-lime fortress changed hands more than nine times between Portuguese, Omani Arab and British forces. Inside are cannons, an Omani house, a small museum of Swahili and maritime artefacts, and sweeping harbour views. Come early or late to dodge the heat, and stay for the evening sound-and-light show if it’s running.
Mombasa Old Town
The historic quarter behind Fort Jesus is a living museum of Swahili, Omani and Indian heritage — narrow coral-stone lanes, ornately carved doors, balconied houses, spice and antique shops, and the Mandhry Mosque (1570), the oldest in the city. Walk down to the Old Port to see dhows, pause at a Swahili coffee house, and let yourself get pleasantly lost. Dress modestly and consider a local guide to unlock the stories behind the doors.
Haller Park
One of the world’s great rehabilitation stories: a barren cement quarry transformed into lush forest and wetland teeming with life. Follow shaded trails past giraffes, hippos, buffalo, waterbuck, crocodiles and a reptile park. Time your visit around the feedings — giraffe in the late morning, hippo and croc in the afternoon — which are the highlight for kids and adults alike.
Mombasa Marine National Park
The protected reef off the north-coast beaches is the city’s most accessible underwater experience. A short glass-bottom-boat or dhow ride from Nyali or Bamburi drops you over coral gardens full of parrotfish, angelfish and the occasional turtle. Snorkelling is best at low tide in the calm season; certified divers and kitesurfers are catered for too. Park entry is paid to Kenya Wildlife Service, usually bundled into your boat trip.
Mamba Village
East Africa’s largest crocodile farm, in leafy Nyali, is a reliable family hit. See crocs of every size, learn how the farm works, and — if you’ve got the nerve — catch the daily feeding around 5pm, when the pool erupts. There’s also a botanical garden, ostriches, horse riding and a restaurant, making it easy to fill a relaxed half-day.
The Tusks (Pembe za Ndovu)
The four giant aluminium tusks arching over Moi Avenue are Mombasa’s civic symbol, forming two letter “M”s that welcome you into the city centre. They were raised in 1952 to mark Princess Elizabeth’s visit. It’s a quick, free photo stop that pairs neatly with a stroll to the nearby markets and the Old Town.
Nguuni Nature Sanctuary
Haller Park’s quieter sibling: rolling grassland where giraffes, elands, ostriches and oryx roam, with excellent birdlife around the dam. It’s a favourite for low-key sundowners and picnics away from the crowds, and you can often walk close to the giraffes. Bring a camera and time it for golden hour.
Bombolulu Workshops & Cultural Centre
Part social enterprise, part cultural showcase, Bombolulu employs artisans with disabilities who craft jewellery, textiles and woodwork you can watch being made and buy on site. A reconstructed village of traditional Kenyan homesteads and scheduled cultural dances make it a meaningful, ethical stop — and a great place to pick up souvenirs with a story.
Wild Waters
Mombasa’s water park on the Nyali–Malindi road is the go-to for a day of slides, wave pools and rides, with a food court and evening entertainment. It’s firmly aimed at families and teens, and makes a good rainy-season or beach-break-day alternative when everyone needs a change of scene.
Mama Ngina Waterfront
The city’s revamped seafront park is where Mombasa comes out to play — a breezy clifftop promenade above the harbour mouth, busiest at sunset and on weekends. Graze on grilled cassava, mishkaki and fresh coconut from the food stalls, watch the ships come in, and soak up local life. It’s free, safe and one of the best no-cost things to do in the city.
Browse by Interest
Not sure where to start? Pick a theme
Everything above, regrouped by the kind of day you’re after.
Forts & heritage
Fort Jesus, Old Town, Bombolulu and the Tusks — the layered Swahili-Portuguese-Arab story.
Explore history → Wildlife & NatureWildlife parks
Haller Park, Nguuni and Mamba Village — giraffes, hippos and crocs, all close to the beach.
See wildlife → Beaches & WaterSea & reef
The marine park, snorkelling, kitesurfing and the north- and south-coast beaches.
Beach guide → FamilyWith kids
Wild Waters, Mamba Village, Haller Park feedings and the waterfront — easy family wins.
Family ideas →Practical Info
Fees, hours & areas at a glance
A quick reference for planning your days and budget.
| Attraction | Area | Ideal for | Approx. fee* | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Jesus | Old Town | History, first-timers | ~KES 1,200 / US$12 | 8am–6pm |
| Mombasa Old Town | Old Town | Culture, walking | Free | Anytime (daylight) |
| Haller Park | Bamburi | Wildlife, families | ~KES 1,200 | 8am–5pm |
| Mombasa Marine Park | Nyali/Bamburi | Snorkelling, diving | ~US$17 + boat | Daylight, low tide |
| Mamba Village | Nyali | Families, crocs | ~KES 1,000 | 8am–6pm (feed 5pm) |
| Nguuni Sanctuary | Bamburi | Sundowners, quiet | ~KES 800 | 9am–6pm |
| Bombolulu Workshops | Kisauni | Crafts, culture | ~KES 500 | 8am–5pm Mon–Sat |
| Wild Waters | Nyali | Families, teens | Day pass (varies) | From ~10am |
| Mama Ngina Waterfront | City centre | Sunset, street food | Free | Anytime |
| The Tusks | Moi Avenue | Photo stop | Free | Anytime |
*Fees are indicative for 2026 and quoted for non-resident adults; entry prices change and often differ for residents, citizens and children. Confirm on arrival or on each attraction’s page before you go.
Got more time? Head beyond the city
Some of the coast’s best experiences are a day trip away — a dolphin-and-snorkel dhow to Wasini Island, a big-game safari in Tsavo East, the green hills of Shimba Hills, or the white sand of Diani Beach across the Likoni ferry.
Good to Know
Things-to-do FAQ
What is the number one thing to do in Mombasa?
How many days do you need to see Mombasa’s attractions?
What are the best free things to do in Mombasa?
What can you do in Mombasa with kids?
Are Mombasa’s attractions walkable, or do you need transport?
Turn these sights into a trip
You’ve got the attractions — now match them with beaches, tours and a day-by-day plan.
See the 3-day itinerary →Our commitment · Conservation & restoration
Seeing the sights, safeguarding them too
Mombasa Kenya (mombasakenya.org) is committed to the restoration and conservation of the attractions that draw visitors to Mombasa — the marine parks and reefs, the wildlife of Haller Park and the reserves, and the World Heritage and Swahili monuments of the old city. Every sight on this list survives only with care.
Enjoy them responsibly: respect wildlife distances and marine-park rules, keep to paths at heritage sites, refuse single-use plastic, and choose operators who give back to conservation. The best day out leaves the place undiminished for the next visitor. Start with the beaches →