[2025 Mombasa Stay] Travel Guide for Hotel English Point Marina & Spa (Updated Feb)

After ending our safari, we spent 4 days in Mombasa, Kenya's second largest city, to rest. There is a historic old town by the sea, as well as excellent beach resorts. Here are a few things to do in Mombasa — 🏖️Holiday at Diani Beach Diani Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Kenya. The sea is beautiful and it's a one and a half hour drive from Mombasa city. There are many resorts along the beach, and after the safari, you can find one to lie down for two days to fully recover. We stayed at Diamond Leisure, where you can see blue 🪺 monkeys everywhere in the hotel, which is a sight in itself 😂. 🐫Camel riding on the beach Every day on the beach, there are people who herd camels for tourists to take photos. This is a very commercialized activity, but the photos are really good! African camels are very tall and gentle, and it's worth a ride if you encounter them. 🪨Cave restaurant This is a famous restaurant near Diani Beach. The environment is indeed great, located in a natural cave formed tens of thousands of years ago, and it's very romantic at dusk. However, the food is very average, mainly for the atmosphere, and you need to book in advance. 🛕Old town walking tour Mombasa's old town is undeniably charming. Influenced by Arabs for centuries, the streets are heavily Islamic. Women walk in incredibly vibrant folk costumes, the streets are crowded with various tuk-tuks, and the old streets form a very characteristic cityscape. But ❗️There are few tourists on the old town road, and you should not go out alone. We joined a free walking tour and dared to move around the city with a local guide. The itinerary includes Mombasa's most important historical site, Jesus Fort, as well as old town alleys, spice markets, and ivory gates. We met a few children asking for money and brokers trying to solicit business. If there is no guide, it is not safe, so be careful. 🚤View the city coastline In Mombasa, we stayed in the newer and wealthier area of English Point Hotel, which is relatively better and safer. From here you can see the old town across a bay, the staggered buildings and the piers stretching out from the sea surface reminded me of Venice for a moment. · ⚠️Finally, be aware of safety in Mombasa. On our last day here, we were discriminated against by an Uber driver, which was the only unpleasant experience of the trip. This place is very distinctive, but if you are not an experienced traveler, you can skip Mombasa city and spend two or three days at a beach resort.

I’ve always been drawn to Mombasa’s unique charm—a blend of coastal beauty, rich history, and laid-back lifestyle that feels worlds apart from the hustle of larger cities. From the moment I arrived, I could sense a slower, more peaceful rhythm, where life flows with the tides of the Indian Ocean. Living in Mombasa has been nothing short of refreshing. The city offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere, where everyone seems to know each other, and the sense of community is strong. Life here revolves around the ocean, and I’ve loved how easy it is to escape to the beach whenever I need a breather. Diani Beach, with its soft white sands and crystal-clear waters, has become my go-to for unwinding. Whether I’m taking a leisurely stroll along the shore or enjoying a seafood feast at a local beachside restaurant, there’s always a sense of calm. Mombasa’s Swahili culture is woven into everyday life. The blend of African, Arab, and Portuguese influences is evident everywhere—from the food, with its spicy coastal flavors, to the architecture of the old town, where narrow streets are lined with intricately carved wooden doors and historic buildings. It’s impossible not to be captivated by Fort Jesus, standing tall as a reminder of the city’s deep history. Every visit feels like a journey through time. What I love most about Mombasa is how life feels unhurried. People take time to enjoy the little things—whether it’s sipping on fresh madafu (coconut water) from a street vendor or watching the sun set over the horizon. The city may not have the towering skyscrapers or massive malls of Nairobi, but it makes up for it with its authenticity, and the way it allows you to breathe deeply and savor life. Mombasa’s design is a fascinating fusion of traditional and modern influences. Walking through the old town feels like stepping into a different era, with its carved wooden doors, coral stone buildings, and colorful markets full of local crafts and textiles. The architecture is distinctly Swahili, with a mix of Islamic and Portuguese influences that tell the story of the city’s diverse past. The newer parts of the city offer a more contemporary feel, with modern apartments and shopping centers springing up. But what stands out to me is how even the newer developments manage to keep the coastal vibe alive. Buildings are often painted in soft pastel colors, and many have wide balconies to take advantage of the ocean breeze. The palm trees and bougainvillea lining the streets give the city a lush, tropical feel that’s hard to resist. Mombasa may not boast the cutting-edge design of global cities, but that’s part of its appeal. It’s a city that holds on to its roots, even as it moves forward, offering a way of life that is authentic, beautiful, and deeply connected to the ocean. Whether I’m navigating the bustling streets of the old town or lounging by the sea, Mombasa feels like a place that allows you to slow down, reconnect, and truly live in the moment.