What to do in Mombasa when it rains
The weather needn't spoil Mombasa. Its galleries, museums and indoor markets are at their best on a grey day, with cafés on every corner.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- Fort Jesus Museum Fort Jesus, Nkurumah Rd, Mombasa, Kenya
- Swahili Cultural Centre Mombasa, Kenya
- Africa Hotel Mji wa Kale, Sir Mbarak Hinawy Road, Mombasa, Kenya
- Kenya National Archives-Mombasa Mji wa Kale/Makadara Nkurumah Road NSSF Building Mvita, Mombasa, Kenya
- Baloch gallery Fort Jesus Museum, P. O. Box 82412, Mombasa, Kenya
- Phudah Mayor Legacy Lumumba Rd, Mombasa, Kenya
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- Africa Nomads Art Space Kilima Rd, Mombasa, Kenya
- Imani School of Art. Simba Estate gate B, Mombasa, Kenya
- Sheilah Sheldone Nyali,Kenya, Mombasa, Kenya
- MULLENUM ART AND DESIGN 81150, Mombasa, Kenya
- Umoja Art Craft Husein Manzil House, Opposite Dalal House, Mombasa Old Town, WMQH+MR6, Sir Mbarak Hinawy Road, Mombasa, Kenya
- Divo Craft And Curio Shop WMQH+VFC, Ndia Kuu Rd, Mombasa, Kenya
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- Old town of Mombasa – Mji Wa Kale WMRG+P94, Nehru Rd, Mombasa, Kenya
- Jubilee hall WMQH+7PP, Nkurumah Rd, Mombasa, Kenya
- Vasco De Gama Well WMRH+J8F, Mzizima Rd, Mombasa, Kenya
- makaburini XM9R+29X, Mombasa, Kenya
- Mazrui Cemetery Opposite Fort Jesus Museum, Mombasa - Old Town, WMQH+7H7, Nkurumah Rd, Mombasa, Kenya
- Leven Steps WMRH+J8F, Mzizima Rd, Mombasa, Kenya
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Kongowea Market junction, Mombasa, Kenya
- Meat Market WMRF+R6X, Nehru Rd, Mombasa, Kenya
- Majengo Sega XM26+7CR, 23 Majengo Rd, Mombasa, Kenya
- Mwembe Tayari Market (soko la papa) WMRC+W47 New Mwembe Tayari Stalls, Mombasa, Kenya
- Molli Shopping Centre Old Malindi Rd, Mombasa, Kenya
- Ferry Market WMF8+399, A14, Mombasa, Kenya
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- Floating Island Restaurant New Nyali Brg, Mombasa, Kenya
- Blue Room Restaurant & Ice Cream Haile Selasie Rd, Mombasa, Kenya
- The Oak Simba Rd, Mombasa, Kenya
- MNKafé Kaunda Ave, Mombasa, Kenya
- Dine District Cafe & Restaurant Greenwood village, Greenwood Drive, Moyne Dr, Mombasa, Kenya
- Jahazi Coffee House WMQH+QCX, Ndia Kuu Rd, Mombasa, Kenya
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- Mombasa Mall Jomo Kenyatta Avenue Mwembe, Mombasa, Kenya
- Kongowea Market junction, Mombasa, Kenya
- Greenwood Village Greenwood Drive, off Moyne Dr, Mombasa, Kenya
- Burhani Tower Abdel Nasser Rd, Mombasa, Kenya
- Likoni Mall Nyerere Rd, Mombasa, Kenya
- Ratna Square Shopping Centre Fidel Odinga Road, Nyali Rd, Mombasa, Kenya
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.