The vibrant port city of Mombasa is Kenya's second largest, after its capital city, Nairobi.
Mombasa hosts a lively cultural mix, creating a dynamic city that is typically African, yet infused with outside influences, ranging from European to Indian and Arabic. This friendly coastal city is home to a population of more than one million people and is a major Kenyan tourist destination.
Mombasa is the capital of the Mombasa District of Kenya, serving as a regional centre of finance and culture.
Mombasa lies on the east coast of Kenya in the southeast of the country, near the Tanzanian border.
Located in the Coast Province, Mombasa has a unique geography with the bulk of the city situated on an island within a recessed bay. The Mombasa island is cut off from the Kenyan mainland by two creeks, Port Reitz and Tudor Creek. It is connected to the mainland of Kenya by the Nyali Bridge in the north, the Likoni Ferry to the south, and by the Makupa Causeway in the west.
Mombasa has a warm, tropical climate, and seasonal rainfall. The rainy season is at its peak in April and May, with January and February being the lowest rainfall months.
The Mombasa coastal area enjoys warm temperatures reaching about 32°C (89°F), ideal for beach holidays almost throughout the year.
Mambasa has hosted numerous immigrants, skilled workers, and traders over the centuries, mostly hailing from Iran, the Middle East, Somalia, and the sub-continent of India.
Mombasa's cuisine, architecture, and culture still show traces of the diverse historical influences the city has seen, from Portuguese and Arabic to British and Indian. Traders have been coming to the port city since as far back as the 12th century, with Mombasa being under Arabic-Swahili, then Portuguese and finally British rule during the 16th century.
Fort Jesus, one of the most popular attractions in Mombasa, is the 400-year-old historical ruin of a Portuguese fort. The winding lanes, old buildings, and bustling markets of the Old Town, also reflect the myriad of influences this city is built on.
Taarab music, originally from the Zanzibar Islands, has a strong presence in Mombasa, as do other musical styles native to Mombasa, including easy-listening Bango, fast-tempo Chakacha, and traditional Mwanzele, among others. Mombasa features numerous clubs, bars, and entertainment spots, making it a lively center of Kenyan nightlife.
Use the Google map to explore Mombasa.