Top things to do in Mombasa’s old town
Top things to do in Mombasa’s old town: Mombasa Old Town is a 72 hectares area situated on the southeast side of Mombasa Island adjacent to Tudor Creek. Mombasa’s Old town is part of Mombasa and it is a very fascinating town to visit while on a Mombasa Kenya Beach safari.
This town is a historical town inhabited by a mix of local people, Arabs, Asians, Portuguese and British settlers and consists of many architecturally impressive buildings influenced by Mombasa trade culture, with most of them reflecting Portuguese and Islamic architecture.
Mombasa Old Town is an entertaining destination to visit on Beach Holidays offering many activities. The top things to do in Mombasa’s Old Town while on a visit are as follows:
Visit fort Jesus
Fort Jesus is the most popular and visited attraction in the Old Town. Fort Jesus is a UNESCO World Heritage site constructed by the Portuguese under the orders of King Philip I of Portugal from 1953 to 1596 and designed by an Italian architect, Cairati.
Fort Jesus has a unique architectural form built in the shape of a man and a fine display of 16th-century Portuguese military architecture. Fort Jesus exhibits a wide collection of ceramics and pottery reflecting various cultures of people who once engaged in trade at the coast (Arabs, Persians, Portuguese and the British). Other exhibits to see on the visit to Fort Jesus are battlements in the compound of the fort and an Omani house exhibiting Omani jewelry and pieces of the Swahili people.
Visit Mombasa Butterfly house
Mombasa Butterfly house is a live butterfly exhibit located on the premises of Fort Jesus next to the Swahili Research Centre. Mombasa Butterfly house is the best live butterfly exhibit in Africa, showcasing a paradise of tropical butterflies and offering an experience of a natural environment and an opportunity to learn about biodiversity.
Mombasa Butterfly house is a world-class ecotourism facility featuring manicured lawns and beautiful gardens ideal for quiet picnic getaways.
Mombasa Butterfly house is an ideal environment for events such as exhibitions, picnic sites, receptions, photo/film shooting, research and lectures on biodiversity and environmental conservation.
Take a walk in the town
Mombasa’s Old Town is a very rewarding destination for a walk while on a Kenya safari in Mombasa. Mombasa’s Old Town is a very historic town comprised of Portuguese history, who were once the rulers of this town. Up to now this city comprises impressive structures with architectural styles reflecting various cultures of the people who once lived in this town, such as the Arabs, British and Portuguese; these structures have curved doors and balconies. Among the residents living here are people of Asian, Arab and European origin, while walking in this town, you will encounter many scenic streets and antique shops where you get to buy antiques, souvenirs, spices and fragrance oils. There are many cafes and restaurants offering local dishes.
Enjoy Kenyan coffee or tea
Kenya is worldly known for producing some of the best Arabic coffee; a visit to Kenya, particularly Mombasa’s Old Town, can never be complete and memorable without getting a taste of Kenyan coffee or tea. Old town has a variety of coffee shops, such as Jahazi Coffee House serving great coffee and tea.
Sightseeing and take memorable pictures at elephant tusks
Elephant tusks are a very remarkable feature in Mombasa and a feature not to miss while on a Kenya visit in Mombasa, Elephant tusks are a pair of giant aluminum tusks crossing the dual carriageway to form the letter M for Mombasa and mark the entrance to the heart of the city. The Mombasa Elephant Tusks were built in 1952 and were commemorated by Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Kenya, these tusks are nicknamed “Pembe Za Ndovu” by the locals, which means “elephant ivory in Swahili and they have a resemblance to elephant ivory.
Mombasa’s elephant ivory is situated just outside the Old Town and while on a visit to Mombasa city and Mombasa’s Old Town, the tusks are great for taking memorable pictures.
Visit Hindu temple center.
The Hindu temple center is one of the cultural centers found in Mombasa’s Old Town; this center is a remarkable religious site for Hindu believers and religious travelers. The Hindu temple in Mombasa’s Old Town showcases the history of Mombasa, which helps travelers learn more about the past of Mombasa, other amazing items displayed in this temple include fascinating portraits of Hindu gods, stone carvings on the walls, paintings, pictures and many artifacts of religious importance to Hinduism.
While visiting the Hindu temple center offers insight into the past of Mombasa and the Hindu religion and travellers get an opportunity to engage worshipers in reciting Hindu prayers, songs and many other activities related to the Hindu religion.
Go for a drink
Mombasa’s Old Town is a very vibrant city full of life; this city is a perfect stopover while on a Kenya safari for travelers who are the life of the party. This old town comprises many bars and clubs best for relaxing in the evening after a hectic day of touring, such as Avanti, Bella Vista and many more. In these sports, travelers get to enjoy a cold drink such as a beer or other drinks, sandwich and dance the night away in a nightclub. For sports lovers, Bella Vista is your perfect sports bar to visit as travelers enjoy drinks and sports matches on a wide-screen Television.
Shopping
Mombasa’s Old town is a very rewarding site for shopping sprees for unique artifacts and souvenirs; this town comprises similar-looking streets and several Swahili architectural buildings transformed into shops and artisan stores selling attics, souvenirs and artifacts.
Shopping is a very relaxing and thrilling experience to take part in while in the Stone city of Mombasa, items purchased in Old town of Mombasa include silver jewelry, perfumes, beaded sandals, small furniture, cute little trinkets and many other items to take home as souvenirs and gifts at reasonable prices. Because of the similar-looking streets, getting around the town might become difficult, which is a reason why you need a Kenya tour guide familiar with the town while on your visit to the stone town.
