Art, music, theater and more in Mombasa

A historically cultural port city, the city of Mombasa boasts of a unique blend of culture developed through centuries of contacts with local and foreign cultures encompassing colorful clothing, fine Swahili delicacies, modern and traditional sports, music and dance, and arts and handicrafts.

The indigenous people of Mombasa are collectivists by nature, and as a result, they engage in various cultural activities as a means not only to spend their free time, but also to enhance their social togetherness and sense of community.

art in mombasa

Museums and art galleries

Diani Beach Art Gallery

Located less than 45 minutes from the city center on Diani Beach, the gallery is an ideal meeting point for art enthusiasts.

• It offers a variety of contemporary Kenyan and African artworks including paintings, surreal creations that come in all sizes, photography, and sculptures that are finely finished.
• There are also art classes and theme nights.

strong jesus

An Italian fortress built in the 16th century by the Portuguese to safeguard the entrance to the port, Fort Jesus is an architectural marvel. made in the form of a man who currently evidences the political and economic history of the city of Mombasa.

• Strong Jesus is a UNESCO World Heritage site which exhibits various artifacts from the different local and foreign cultures that have occupied the island over the centuries, from the Arabs and Indians to the Omanis, Persians and Portuguese.
• Currently used as a museum, Fort Jesus displays preserved military fortifications, pottery and ceramics, and relics from a Portuguese frigate that sank in 1698.
• If you want to learn a thing or two about preserving ancient artifacts, Fort Jesus has a fully equipped education unit and conservation lab.

Center for Heritage Development in Africa (CHDA)

A gallery located downtown in the Old Law Courts Building along Nkrumah Road, CHDA has well-preserved cultural artifacts that enhance Africa’s cultural heritage.

• Most of the artifacts preserved here are movable or immovable.

Gede Ruins National Monument and Museum

An officially published national museum and monument, the Gede Ruins is a centuries-old Swahili village that was established in the 12th century and is currently covered in a splendid indigenous forest cover comprising tamarind and giant baobab trees.

• It is located along the Mombasa-Malindi highway, 94 km north of the city.
• The ruins feature narrow, winding paths and more than fifty species of exotic trees.
• In addition to offering a serene and peaceful environment, the ruins are home to a variety of birds of malachite kingfisher and African Harrier Hawks to Paradise flycatchers and African green-tinkerbird, etc.
• The ruins offer a rare insight into the exciting Swahili culture.

Coastal Arts Gallery

Located along the Nyali Links road, Coast Gallery of Arts quenches your thirst for authentic handcrafted picture frames, embellished with African designs and made from local materials.

It is an ideal place to get unique gift items and African artwork.

Cinemas

Nyali Cinemax

It is ultra-modern Cinemax that is the latest addition to the movie culture in the city showing the latest box office releases.

Located in Nyali, less than 30 minutes from the city center

lotus cinema

Located in Mombasa’s city center along Makadara Rd, the Lotus Cinema offers a diverse array of entertainment

Kenyan cinema

Located a few minutes from the Lotus Cinema along Nkrumah Road

Other movie theaters and cinema includes

• Moons Cinema – Tononoka Wajir Road
• Indo African Theaters Ltd – Makadara Road

casinos

A growing culture among the upper and middle class in Mombasa, going to the casino is taking root as a cultural activity in the city where people spend their free time, connect with friends and win/lose a coin while doing it.

Major casinos include

• Nyali Beach Hotel Casino
• golden key casino
• Florida Beach Casino
• the royal casino

Music

Music is an important cultural activity in Mombasa and is used to express oneself. People enjoy their music, especially taarab (local music genre).

• Numerous music and dance clubs clustered in the city.
• Live music concerts and marching bands

Sports

A cultural activity, sport takes a considerable part in the life of the locals.

• Both older and younger men play games such as “draft” (chess) on wooden boards.
• Diving, boat racing, banana boat rides and kitesurfing, etc., are some of the different water sports practiced by the city given its ideal location and proximity to the Indian Ocean.

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