Mombasa

Mombasa is Kenya's second-largest city and an old port on the Indian Ocean. Visit for Fort Jesus, a Portuguese fort, and the Swahili Old Town, then add a day at the beach.

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Mombasa sits on Mombasa Island, on Kenya's Indian Ocean coast, and it is the country's second-largest city. Bridges and causeways connect the island to the mainland. Arab, Portuguese and Omani rule and trade shaped the port. The Portuguese built Fort Jesus in the late 1500s; it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city's best-known sight. The nearby Old Town has narrow lanes, coral-stone houses and carved wooden doors in the Swahili style.

Plan two days for the fort and the Old Town, and add time for the beaches north and south of the city. Trains from Nairobi, flights and road transfers all reach Mombasa. The climate is hot and humid all year. The long rains usually fall from March to May and the short rains in November, so pack light clothing, bring rain gear in those months and plan indoor stops for the middle of the day. The cooler, drier months from June to October suit beach days best.

Mombasa in five

Read the UK advice on the Old Town and LikoniThe UK says crime risk is higher in Mombasa's Old Town and on and around the Likoni Ferry, and asks visitors to dress conservatively in the city. Avoid walking alone in isolated areas, even by day.UK travel advice
Take the Madaraka Express from NairobiKenya Railways lists departures at 8:00, 15:00 and 22:00, reaching Mombasa Terminus at 14:00, 20:30 and 03:55. Book on its ticket site or by USSD, up to 60 days ahead.Nairobi to Mombasa options
See Fort Jesus early and pay without cashNational Museums of Kenya lists Fort Jesus at USD 17 for adults from outside Africa, open 8:30 to 17:30 daily, with payment through eCitizen and no cash. The fort dates from 1593 to 1596.Things to do in Mombasa
Snorkel the marine park by boat from the beachKWS describes a 10 km² no-take core and a 200 km² reserve, reached by boat from beach gates on the north shore, including Nyali Gate at the park headquarters. Check the tide and ask about the fee.
Choose the island or the north shore firstThe island puts the Old Town and fort within reach on foot. The north shore has beach hotels. If a long beach week is the goal, Diani on the south coast is the alternative.Mombasa or Diani Beach

Things to do in Mombasa

See all attractions in Mombasa

a view of a city with lots of tall buildings

Sight · MombasaSpice Market

Sight · MombasaFort Jesus Museum

Mosque · MombasaMandhry Mosque

Our things to do guide for Mombasa

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to MombasaPut the places you like in Mombasa on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Moi International Airport
Getting there: Madaraka Express to Mombasa Terminus; about 487 km by road from Nairobi (KWS)
Getting around: Taxis; the Likoni Ferry links the island to the south coast
Best base: North shore for beaches; the island for Fort Jesus and the Old Town
Time needed: 2 days; 3–4 nights if you add Diani

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hot, dry
FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Hot, dry
MarchRain17 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Hot, humid
AprilRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Long rains
MayRain22 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Heaviest rain
JuneRain18 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Cooler, drying
JulyRain20 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Cool, breezy
AugustRain19 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Cool, breezy
SeptemberRain18 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Dry, breezy
OctoberRain18 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Warm, dry
NovemberRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Short rains
DecemberRain20 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hot, busy

Average daily high and low in Mombasa, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Mombasa

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 29°
Humidity: 84%
Wind: 16 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Mombasa

11:06 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+3

Today30°25°100%Monday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 100%.
Tue30°25°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed30°24°63%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 63%.
Thu30°25°62%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 62%.
Fri30°24°40%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 40%.
Sat30°24°55%Saturday: Cloudy. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 55%.
Sun30°24°84%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 84%.

Updated 07:58 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 129.9 KES

Amount

Converted to

KES · Kenyan Shilling

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Shimba Hills National Reserve37 km south by road (KWS)Forest, viewpoints and sable antelope reached through Likoni and Ukunda.
Diani Beacha half day or more by roadThe south coast's long white beach, usually a stay rather than a day out.Read the guide
Watamu and Gede ruinsabout 120 km north (KWS)A marine park and a historic Swahili settlement, best with an early start.Read the guide

Before you go to Mombasa

Hotels on the island and north shoreCompare Old Town and beach basesCheck availability

Old Town and Fort Jesus toursGuided walks and harbor outingsCompare tours

eSIM for MombasaRide apps and train ticketsRead the guide

Insurance for a coast and train tripBag theft and missed connectionsRead the guide

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Rules for Mombasa, checked

Crime risk is higher in Mombasa's Old Town and on and around the Likoni Ferry; the UK advice asks visitors to dress conservatively in the city.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
Taking photographs of official buildings, including embassies, and at airports is illegal in Kenya and can lead to arrest.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
For the Madaraka Express, arrive 60 minutes before departure; platform gates close 10 minutes before the train leaves.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source

All Mombasa guides

Head to headMombasa or Diani Beach: which Kenyan coast base is better?Checked Oct 6, 2026

Things to doThings to do in Mombasa: Fort Jesus, Old Town and sea in two daysChecked Oct 6, 2026

How toNairobi to Mombasa: SGR train, flight or road, and which to chooseChecked Oct 6, 2026

Plan around Mombasa

Diani Beach

The south-coast resort strip beyond the ferry

Read the guide Malindi

The north-coast town with its own marine park

Read the guide Tsavo West

A bush stop on the train line to Nairobi

Read the guide All of Kenya

Parks, the coast and the Kenya eTA

Read the guide

Mombasa FAQ

How do I get from Nairobi to Mombasa?

The SGR Madaraka Express runs three daily services in each direction, with the morning inter-county train taking about 6 hours. Flights and the road are the alternatives; KWS gives about 487 km by road.

Is Mombasa worth visiting?

Yes for a night or two of history: Fort Jesus is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the Old Town is a working Swahili quarter. It is less suited to a pure beach week, where the north shore or Diani fits better.

Is Mombasa safe for tourists?

The UK advice reports higher crime in the Old Town and around the Likoni Ferry, plus a heightened terrorism threat across Kenya. Use arranged transport, keep valuables out of sight and read the advice before you go.

How many days do you need in Mombasa?

Two days covers Fort Jesus, the Old Town and a boat trip. If you arrive by the night train, add a morning to recover. A beach stay adds three or more nights on top.

Can I pay for Fort Jesus in cash?

National Museums of Kenya says payment is through eCitizen and marks its rates page as no cash. Check the current payment steps on its site and carry a phone that works in Kenya.