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On Kenya’s east coast, Mombasa Island is surrounded by the Indian Ocean. The second-largest city in Kenya, Mombasa is a one-stop shop for everything African. Mombasa is a bustling hub full of life and crammed with markets. Many have been operating for hundreds of years and are tourist attractions. Shopping is one of the best things to do in Mombasa. But first, you need to find the best place to stay in Mombasa.
Top 10 Places to Go in Mombasa for Shopping
Image credit: iStockphoto
From fine art, and jewelry to wooden carvings, and souvenirs, you will everything here. Nairobi may have more space for stores, but Mombasa markets unique, unusual goods in style. Are you visiting Mombasa for shopping? Do you want to know where to find the best stores in Mombasa? This city can be intimidating for first-timers, which is why we’ve provided a guide to the best shopping places to go in Mombasa.
1. Fort Jesus & Old Mombasa Town
Image credit: Richard Mureithi via HapaKenya.com
Mombasa Old Town area is home to a charming variety of tourist-friendly stores and souvenir shops. The Asian, Portuguese, and Arab influences reflect the town’s history in many of the shops. From clothing and artwork to jewelry, spices, and fragrances, you can find a lot of great deals.
A nearby historical site is Fort Jesus, which offers a view of the harbor in Old Town. Fort Jesus area is worth visiting for a leisurely stroll through the charming streets built in the 16th century. Keep an eye out for any attractive paintings that might give your collection an African flair because the region is also known for its artists.
2. Biashara Street and Mwembe Tayari
Wondering about more places to go in Mombasa? After you’ve savored the old-world charm, it’s time to travel to central Mombasa for a true taste of Kenyan shopping. To get a feel for the sights, sounds, and smells of the city, start by strolling through Biashara Street and Mwembe Tayari.
On Biashara Street in downtown Mombasa, you can find various stores selling crafts and clothing for summer. There are multiple other textile and apparel items, such as slippers, curtains, and scarves. Both these places have many tourist stores where you can pick Maasai sandals or a shuka (traditional red-check fabric worn by the Maasai tribe) for friends and family.
3. Akamba Wood Carvers & Ambika Handicrafts Near Airport Road
Tired of usual places to go in Mombasa? Following the airport road will lead you to intricately carved wooden sculptures at Akamba Handicrafts. A large number of local residents are employed by this nonprofit organization to craft exquisite African masks, Maasai figureheads, and more. Explore the showroom for a wide selection of items and observe the crafting taking place in the nearby workshops.
4. City Mall Nyali & Nyali Cinemax
The City Mall in Nyali is a great getaway for tourists looking for a laid-back shopping experience in a beautiful setting. On the second floor, there are many dining options like Indian and Chinese cuisines. Also, it has top brands like Converse and Woolworths making it one of the most-visited Mombasa shopping malls.
For both shopping and a meal with friends and family, the Nyali Cinemax shopping center is one of the best places to go in Mombasa. In the mall, you can buy gorgeous jewelry and high-end clothing, and accessories like hats, jeans, and watches. The cinema is a fun place to spend some time after finishing your shopping. After checking the Cinemax Nyali schedule, you can watch all of the most recent Bollywood and Hollywood films in theatres.
5. Bombolulu Workshops & Cultural Center
There are many more places to go in Mombasa! On the Mombasa-Malindi highway, the Bombolulu Workshops have employed locals with disabilities to make wood, textile, jewelry, and leather goods. Also, it’s worthwhile to pause for fresh juice and some snacks at the Ziga Restaurant. It is one of the best places to visit in Mombasa.
6. A1 Supermarket Mombasa & Digo Road Market
One of the best places to find food and buy local produce is the A1 Supermarket on Digo Road in Mombasa. The A1 has a tonne of options whether you’re looking for fine wine, cheese, in-season fruits, or party supplies. Plenty of Kenyan produce is available, along with some imported brands and snacks.
Make sure to visit Mombasa’s covered food market before leaving the city. At this Digo Road market, hundreds of local shops compete with one another to sell their fruits, vegetables, and spices. Stock up on cardamom, cumin, and cinnamon bark—all common ingredients in Swahili cuisine.
7. Coast Zanzibar Curio Shop – Moi Avenue
Looking for places to go in Mombasa where you can bargain? Crafts and souvenirs can be found at the Coast Zanzibar Curio Shop on Moi Avenue. You can buy many things like framed paintings, leather bags, basket decorations, and pictures. Also, since it’s close to a beach, you can take an afternoon stroll and buy African earrings, pendants, and necklaces. You can get unusual items that are not offered elsewhere for a bargain here.
8. Diani Beach Shopping Center
Beaches are also among the top places to go in Mombasa for shopping! The Diani Beach Shopping Center is a great place to start your shopping experience in Kenya because you’ll find a wide variety of African and international designers here, just an hour’s drive south of central Mombasa.
Image credit: Khadija Farah for The New York Times
Visit The Kikoy Co. for beachwear. Many famous celebrities like Madonna, Brad Pitt, and Prince William, have worn their products. For example, Kikoy, an east African sarong made of woven fabric. You can also stock up on beach bags, paper-bead necklaces, and scarves. Similarly, Zanzara Boutique is the ideal place with rare Kenyan souvenirs on sale. Buy bone crockery, handmade wooden cutlery, and hand-printed textiles from Mombasa.
Image credit: Khadija Farah for The New York Times
Visit the Diani Beach Art Gallery before you leave to view and buy fine African artwork from artists from across the continent, including prints, canvases, sculptures, and photography.
9. Bamburi Beach & Pirates Beach
Image credit: iStockphoto
You can buy a variety of exquisite souvenirs at the best beach in Mombasa to keep as a reminder of your visit to Bamburi Beach like African crafts, oil paintings, curio bracelets, and necklaces. There is no set price so you can bargain for a cheap price and if you have a local guide, you can score some good deals.
Similarly, when you visit Pirates beach in Mombasa, you can shop wherever you want because there are so many hawkers and vendors who set up shops right on the beach. While admiring the scenic waves, you can shop for brightly colored clothing and hats.
10. Marikiti Market
Image credit: National Museums of Kenya
Visit Marikiti Market in the city for a fantastic Kenyan shopping experience. You’ll find plenty of beautiful souvenirs and original artwork at this bustling market, making the trip worthwhile. You can purchase stunningly diverse clothes and khangas from Kenya. Along the way, there are many places to eat, with street food being a popular option.
Travellers Beach Hotel – One of the Best Places to Go in Mombasa
Do you want to plan your holidays in Mombasa? Are you looking for hotels in Bamburi beach Mombasa? 10 km from Mombasa’s city center in Bamburi Beach you’ll find one of the top 4 star hotels in Mombasa. When you are at the Travellers Beach Hotel & Club, enjoy the private white sand beach, try snorkeling, relax at 1 of the 3 outdoor swimming pools or eat mouth-watering food at 4 exquisite restaurants. There is also a shuttle service to the 23 km away Moi International Airport.
Rooms & Suites
The 288 air-conditioned rooms at Mombasa Travellers Beach Hotel have spacious, air-conditioned suites, and rooms have balconies with majestic views of the Indian Ocean.
Some of them also have four-poster beds that give a heritage look and feel.
Egyptian cotton sheets and luxury bedding add comfort to your stay. The 32-inch Smart TVs have cable channels. Separate bathtubs and showers with rainfall showerheads, premium toiletries, and hair dryers are provided in the bathrooms. The wireless Internet access at this Mombasa hotel is free. Desks and phones are examples of business-friendly amenities.
Restaurants
Safina Restaurant offers a breakfast buffet each day and is the best restaurant in Mombasa. There is also La Pergola Italian restaurant, Sher e Punjab – one of the top Indian restaurants in Mombasa as well as a Suli Suli Grill restaurant next to the pool with a thatch roof. It has a delicious menu of the best seafood in Mombasa.
Not just one but this luxurious beach hotel has 3 bars – Pwani Kofi Bar, Msafiri Bar, and Kisima Bar. Pwani Kofi Bar is ideal for the evening as it is close to the beach. As you watch the tide and feel the ocean breeze, treat yourself to your favorite cocktail or mocktail. Msafiri Bar has healthy drinking options with a live band & Karaoke. Enjoy music, play pool, or table tennis as you savor your drink of choice at Kisima Bar.
Activities
Why is Travellers Beach Hotel one of the best places to go in Mombasa? The hotel offers a health club, an outdoor tennis court, and a private beach. There are 3 outdoor swimming pools on the property, as well as a kid’s pool. A sauna and a fitness center are other available amenities. Visitors can go snorkeling, take diving lessons, or go on a glass-bottom boat tour. More amenities include laundry facilities, kids’ activities, and the best gift shop in Mombasa.
Being one of the finest beach hotels in north coast Mombasa, the relaxing spa services are for guests to indulge in. There are six treatment rooms, including a couple’s room and outdoor space. Deep-tissue massages, Swedish massages, Thai massages, and hot stone massages are offered. There are many treatment therapies like hydrotherapy, Ayurveda, and aromatherapy.
Meeting Rooms
One of the most opulent hotels in Mombasa near the beach provides some of the best conference and meeting services along with cutting-edge facilities. Travellers Beach Hotel & Club, one of the best hotels in Mombasa, is the ideal choice for your high-class business conference, a lavish wedding, or private party.
The conference rooms come fully furnished with modern amenities, high-speed internet access, and seating for up to 400 people. In addition, the hotel provides some relishing snacks for your coffee break that can also be tailored to your tastes.
Once you are settled on the relaxing shores of the Bamburi beach and in the luxurious embrace of the Travellers Beach Hotel, you can enjoy its luxurious amenities, go try adventure activities or check out our top places to go in Mombasa to make your stay even more memorable.
Don’t forget to tag us @travellersbeachhotelmsa on Instagram! Unable to find Travellers Beach Hotel contacts? For reservations email us at reservations@travellershtl.com or call us at +254 720 648 708
