7 Best Areas To Stay In Mombasa

When you visit Mombasa City, you can be overwhelmed when choosing an area to stay especially when you don’t know much about the city.

I have been living in different parts of Mombasa long enough to determine which areas are best for you to stay.

You may think that Mombasa doesn’t offer much regarding the locations you may want to stay in.

The truth is that you can choose an area where you want to stay based on your preferences.

Every part of Mombasa has a unique thing to share with you; you will know all about that as you keep reading the article.

If you want to stay in Mombasa as a digital nomad, or explorer or just settle there — there is a specific location that caters to your needs.

Let me share the details of the best areas you should stay in Mombasa for you to make your decision.

THESE ARE THE BEST AREAS TO STAY IN MOMBASA;

1. Mombasa town (CBD).

Mombasa Central Business District (CBD) is one of the best areas you should consider staying in if it’s your first time in Mombasa.

Mombasa CBD is the city town centre that is within the island thus giving you access to everything you need.

If it is your first time in Mombasa and you want to get to explore the city you should consider staying within the CBD.

You will have so many activities at your disposal without spending so much money to move around.

Best things to do in Mombasa town;

Explore the streets of Mombasa.
See the tusk monuments at Moi Avenue.
Explore Mombasa’s old town.

Tour Fort Jesus Museum.
Enjoy street foods especially shawarmas, bajia, samosa and viazi karai.
Explore marikiti (MacKinnon) and biashara

Visit Shree Cutch Satsang Swaminarayan temple along Haile Selassie Avenue.
Dine Barka and Tarboush Restaurants.
Hang out at Treasury Square Gardens.

Shop for souvenirs in old town, marikiti and biashara streets.

Since it’s the town center, you will get access to malls, banks, shopping centers, recreational facilities, and beaches.

When you are staying on the island it is easier for you to reach every corner of the city via a tuktuk, matatu, or a taxi.

If you want to get to know the island to the fullest, it will be easier for you when you are within the town center.

Everything that happens in Mombasa begins from the CBD and then stretches to the rest parts of the city.

It’s hard for you to be in the dark about what is happening in the city when you are staying within the city center.

It’s within Mombasa town where you will easily access the best hotels and restaurants.

Qaffee Point is one of the best-rated coffee spots in Mombasa town. If you are within CBD it’s a few minutes drive to get there.

Along Makadara Road you will find Tarboush and Barka restaurants that are considered the best in Mombasa city when it comes to the local cuisine.

You will still easily get to Jahazi Coffee House, Forodhani, Kizingo BBQ, Blue Room Restaurant & Ice Cream, Milios Pizza, Pizza Inn Ola Habari and so many more amazing restaurants within your reach.

People out of the Island have to drive for half an hour just to get to these restaurants I have shared with you.

When there’s a traffic jam, it takes them hours and some minutes since the congestion usually starts within the main roads connecting to the city center.

So, if you are staying in Mombasa CBD you are likely to avoid the traffic jams since you will have all the services within, you can even walk to where you want to go.

If you are within Mombasa CBD you also have access to the best medical facilities like Pandya Memorial Hospital, Aga Khan Hospital, Mewa Hospital, Coast General Hospital, and so many others.

So, if you choose to stay within the CBD you have all these amenities within your reach.

Best hotels to stay in Mombasa;

Hotel Sapphire – it’s located along Mwembe Tayari Road which connects to Jomo Kenyatta Avenue. You will be close to the Major bus stations in Mombasa,
Royal Court Hotel – it’s located along Haile Selassie Avenue. You will be close to the Shri Cutch Satsang Swaminarayan temple and Quick Mart Bandari Branch shopping center. The road connects you directly to Digo Road.

Sheratton Regency Hotel – it is located along Moi Avenue which is a few minutes walk from the famous iconic Tusk Monuments. You will also be close to one of the best nightlife clubs — Casablanca.
Seaglass Mombasa Hotel – if you want to stay in a hotel facing the Indian Ocean and a view of the Nyali Bridge, this is the hotel you should stay in.

2. Ganjoni.

Another best area you should consider staying in if you don’t like the chaos of the city but still want easy access to it — Ganjoni is where you should find your accommodation.

When you stay in Ganjoni you still have access to most of the services you would like to have within town.

It’s one of the locations that saw tremendous growth over a short period thus inhabited by so many locals who run businesses within the city.

This area is highly inhabited by Indians, Arabs, and Swahilis — multicultural communities co-existing harmoniously.

The area is super calm and free from all the chaos of the city.

Ganjoni consists of middle-class and upper-class communities. It offers both luxurious and affordable apartments.

While staying within this area you will be close to Mombasa Sports Club, Mbaraki Sport Club, Casablanca Club, and Little Theatre Club.

You can easily get to the markets around the CBD or if you prefer you can just shop within the streets.

There are many grocery spots within the area and street food spots.

Within Ganjoni there are a few hotels and restaurants where you can check your accommodation.

Hotels within Ganjoni

Ganjoni Wananchi Hotel.
Hotel Windsor.

These are the restaurants within Ganjoni and coffee spots;

Uganda dishes.

Mike Cafe

You are a few minutes away from the Tusk monuments and Uhuru Garden when you are staying within Ganjoni.

So, if you are within Ganjoni you haven’t moved that far from the CBD.

You can still access a lot of the services that a person who stays in the CBD has access to.

The advantage of staying in Ganjoni is that you are free from the city chaos because you are hidden away from the main roads that are used frequently to get to the city.

3. Kizingo.

Kizingo is another incredible area to stay in Mombasa. It is considered one of the richest neighborhoods in Mombasa.

The apartments you will get around Kizingo offer a view of the Indian Ocean.

So, if you want to stay in an apartment that offers you easy access to the view of the beach and Mama Ngina Waterfront, you should find your apartment around this area.

This area is well kept and the roads getting in and out of the estate are incredible.

One of the biggest problems in Mombasa is dumping — I have walked around this area so many times but I haven’t come across this issue.

The area is super clean and calm.

You will only find apartments around this area. The prices of these apartments are a little expensive compared to what you will find in Ganjoni or the CBD.

Kizingo offers a luxurious kinda vibe.

If you choose to stay within Kizingo you are also close to the city center. You still have access to all the amenities similar to someone staying within the city.

Within Kizingo you can get to Mama Ngina Waterfront easily and get to Mombasa Golf Club.

The lighthouse is also located within Kizingo.

Restaurants within Kizingo;

Royal House Mombasa

Al Waris
Milios Pizza Mombasa
Kizingo BBQ

The area is super safe since it’s just close to the State House of Mombasa. Security is super tight around this area.

4. Nyali.

Nyali is another incredible area to stay in Mombasa if you want to get out of the Island.

It’s also one of the rich neighborhoods in Mombasa that contains most of the amazing restaurants, hotels, beaches, and malls.

Apart from the city center in Mombasa, this is another area that most tourists consider staying at.

This is the New York Of Mombasa if you get what I mean. The area is super fancy.

What makes Nyali one of the best areas to stay in Mombasa are the hotels, banks, malls, shopping centers, beaches, and touristic sites.

Nyali is a little bit more organized compared to Mombasa CBD. It’s easier to get to any point since you won’t come across traffic jams within the area.

It’s super safe to walk within the neighborhoods. If you are the kind of person who likes morning runs this is the best place for you.

The roads are well-kept — even better compared to the roads within the town center.

When you are within Nyali you are close to the biggest market in Mombasa (Kongowea) where you can get anything you want at a cheaper price.

Things to do in Mombasa Nyali;

You can chill, swim, kitesurf, boat rides, and jet ski rides at Nyali Beach.
You can go to Nyali Cinemax to watch the latest movies.
When you are within Nyali you can go to Mamba Village.
Have fun at Wild Waters one of the largest water parks in Mombasa.
Walk and skate around the neighborhood.
Access Mombasa International Show Ground.
Visit Shiva Temple Gombeshwar – Shree Hindu Union Mombasa.

All the activities I have mentioned above you can do them within Nyali.

If it were up to me, I would have suggested that Nyali should be the city center instead of the Island.

Restaurants and coffee spots at Nyali in Mombasa;

The Oak.
Mugshotcafe
Roberto’s Italian.
Chicken Inn Shell Links Road.
Chop It Express Nyali.
Maasai Koroga Country Club.
Poco Loco Bistro.
Whiteball Lounge Nyali Mombasa.
BAPS Shayona Nyali.
Mikaye Restaurant.
Maasai Beach Bar & Restaurant.

There are so many classy and amazing restaurants within the Nyali area. If you choose to stay in Nyali you will have access to everything you can dream of in this little coastal paradise.

Best hotels and accommodations to stay in Nyali;

Tree House Nyali- TopStay’s Accommodation.
The Reef Hotel Mombasa.
PrideInn Hotel Nyali.
Bliss Resort.
Voyager Beach Resort.
La- Fattoria Resort.
Nyali Beach Holiday Resort.
Leinmach House.
Hotel Englishpoint Mombasa.
Kivulini Bahari Villas.
Trinder House.

Nyali is the best area to stay out of Mombasa Island, but you have to be ready to break your bank account.

5. Tudor.

Tudor is another best area to stay within Mombasa Island.

Tudor offers two sides; there is the fancy side where the rich stay in Mombasa while we have where the low-class people reside.

Where the lower class people reside is filled with slums and garbage areas. This is the area within Mombasa Island that has lots of slums.

The other side of Tudor where the rich reside is well-kept with amazing hotels, restaurants, and fancy apartments.

I was able to explore both sides of Tudor and I ended up finding out that Tudor Nora is where the fancy hotels and apartments are located.

If you will manage to find an apartment around Tudor Nora you will have an incredible view of the Indian Ocean Creek that extends from Nyali Bridge.

One of the best things to do in Tudor is get drenched at Tudor Water Sports Marina. It’s an amazing water park that is a must-visit when living around here.

Tudor is a good area to stay especially when you want to have quick access out of the Island via Nyali Bridge.

You will also be close to the Technical University of Mombasa if you are thinking of applying for a gig around there.

Best hotels to stay in Tudor;

Ivory Residences | Armaan
Seaglass Mombasa.
White Rhino.
Wogect Hotel.

Restaurants within Tudor;

M restaurants.
Mombasa Oasis.
Grand Oceanic Seafood.
The Alishaan Sea View.

6. Shanzu.

If you want to stay a little far out of Mombasa Island but be within the city to enjoy the coastal vibe, you should consider staying in Shanzu.

Shanzu is another hot spot in Mombasa since it holds most of the scenic beaches, amazing apartments, hotels, resorts, and restaurants.

The vibe of Shanzu is similar to the one you will get at Nyali.

If you want to be able to enjoy two counties at the same time (Mombasa and Kilifi county) you should stay around Shanzu.

You will be close to Mtwapa Creek where the Mtwapa bridge crosses to Kilifi County.

Shanzu is considered one of the tourist hot spots because it offers amazing hotels and restaurants.

Best hotels to stay in Shanzu;

PrideInn Flamingo Beach Resort & Spa Mombasa.
Serena Beach Resort & Spa
Mombasa Continental Resort.
Kilua Beach Resort
La Mera Beach Apartments.
Royal Shaza Suites.
Santori Villas

Within Shanzu you will easily access Mombasa Marine Park & Reserve since it’s a few minutes away from the center.

You also have access to Marina Bay Beach where you can spend a lovely day chilling and swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean.

Shanzu is also one of the richest neighborhoods in Mombasa. Living around this area requires you to be financially stable.

7. Bamburi.

Bamburi is another incredible area to stay in Mombasa.

Other parts of Bamburi are dodgy and sketchy (Bamburi Kiembeni and Mwisho), these are the areas you should avoid.

The areas you should consider living are around the Vescon Estate and along the Malindi highway.

There are many fancy restaurants, apartments, and hotels still coming up around this area.

Bamburi offers an incredible nightlife experience since some of the best clubs and bars are around this area.

Where to drink and relax at Bamburi in Mombasa;

001 club.
Hi-Way Lounge.
Mzazi Bar & Restaurant.
Kingston Beach Lounge.
Pirates Beach Club & Restaurant.
New Cheers Bar & Restaurant.

It also offers a serene environment for those who prefer to relax and spend their days watching the waves of the Indian Ocean.

When you stay within Bamburi you are a few minutes drive away from most of the prominent public beaches in Mombasa.

Beaches in Bamburi;

Pirates Public Beach.
Jomo Kenyatta Public Beach.
Bamburi Beach.

Within Bamburi you can easily get to two of the biggest tourist attraction sites and nature parks in Mombasa — Haller Park And Nguuni Nature Sanctuary are within Bamburi.

One of the best hotels to stay in Bamburi is Blue Pacific Holiday Inn. You are also a few minutes’ drive to City Mall, Naivas, And Nyali Center.

Where to stay in Bamburi;

Blue Pacific Holiday Inn.
Baobab holiday resort.
Milele Beach.
Pollmans resort.
Sheratton Beach Villagio.
Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa Mombasa.
Travellers Beach Hotel & Club
Maasai Resort.
Neptune Beach Resort.
Severin Sea Lodge.

You can stay in Bamburi with your family since it also offers incredible areas to hang out and have fun without breaking the bank account.

Lastly…

Mombasa City offers you different environments to stay it’s up to you to choose which environment suits you most.

If you are done with Mombasa and you want a little bit more of party life 24/7 you should head to Mtwapa.

But you can still get the party and nightlife within Bamburi.

The best areas to stay with your family in Mombasa are Tudor, Nyali, and Kizingo.

If you want to stay with your partner you should consider staying at Nyali or Bamburi.

For those who are visiting Mombasa for the first time, the best area to stay is within Mombasa CBD or Ganjoni.

If the weather is too hot for you in Mombasa, you should consider moving South Coast (Kwale County). You will still have access to incredible beaches and so many activities to do.

The only thing you will miss is the Mombasa City vibe — it surely hits differently. The city is lively compared to other parts of the coast.