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    Malindi
    Mgiganteus / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

    Kenya

    Malindi

    City

    Malindi is an ancient Swahili port city on Kenya's north coast, some 100 kilometres northeast of Mombasa. Vasco da Gama docked here in 1498 on his way to India; the column named after him commemorates his visit.

    by Felix Gillen

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    9. Malindi
    Malindi is an ancient Swahili port city on Kenya's north coast, some 100 kilometres northeast of Mombasa. Vasco da Gama docked here in 1498 on his way to India; the column named after him commemorates his visit. Today, with its marine national park, long beaches, and a large Italian community, the city is a popular holiday destination.The UK FCDO has specific travel advice for parts of the coast north of Malindi. Check the current FCDO travel advice before travelling.

    Sights in Malindi

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Vasco da Gama Pillar
    Attraction

    1Vasco da Gama Pillar

    The Padrão with a cross of Portuguese limestone commemorates Vasco da Gama's stay in 1498, when the Sultan provided him with a pilot for India. According to most historians, it was erected in 1499 on his return journey. Today, it is Malindi's most visited historical site.
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    The Portuguese Chapel
    Museum

    2The Portuguese Chapel

    The small chapel and cemetery are associated with Francis Xavier, who stopped in Malindi in 1542 on his way to Goa. It is managed by the National Museums of Kenya, and a mass is held here on December 3rd.
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    Marafa Hell's Kitchen
    Attraction

    3Marafa Hell's Kitchen

    Wind- and rain-sculpted gorge of red, yellow, and white sandstone, about 30 to 40 kilometers inland from Malindi. It gets very hot here at midday; a visit is most pleasant in the morning or late afternoon.
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    Restaurants in Malindi

    1

    The Old Man and the Sea

    One of the city's most recommended restaurants, known for its fish and seafood and well-mixed cocktails.
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    2

    Baby Marrow

    Italian restaurant and pizzeria on Silversands Road with art on the walls. Guests praise seafood and pizza at moderate prices.
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    3

    Coco Beach

    Italian restaurant right on Malindi beach, with ocean views, perfect for lunch between two swims.
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    4

    Mayungu Rasta Beach & Restaurant

    Simple beach restaurant on Mayungu Beach, south of Malindi, where a reef shelters the turquoise water from the surf. Expect mainly fish and seafood.
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    Food and Drink

    In Malindi, fresh fish from the port, Swahili cuisine, and a prominent Italian restaurant scene meet.

    The Fresh Fish

    Am Fischerhafen wird der Fang des Tages angelandet und gewogen, die Lokale am Wasser servieren ihn gegrillt.

    Pizza and Pasta

    Because of the large Italian community, there are numerous Italian restaurants in Malindi.

    Biryani

    Spiced rice with turmeric, fried onions and yogurt sauce, a classic of Swahili cuisine.

    Fish to be Coated

    Grilled fish in a coconut and tamarind sauce.

    History and Culture

    Vasco da Gama PillarVasco da Gama anchored off Malindi in April 1498; the Sultan provided a pilot for his voyage to India. Most historians believe he erected the Padrão, a cross-topped pillar of Portuguese limestone, on his return journey in 1499. It stands on a rocky promontory by the sea and is the city's most visited historical site.Portuguese and SwahiliThe small Portuguese Chapel and its cemetery are linked to Francis Xavier, who briefly visited Malindi in 1542 en route to Goa. They are currently managed by the National Museums of Kenya, with a mass celebrated there on December 3rd, the saint's feast day.Italian InfluenceMalindi has a large Italian community, reflected in the numerous Italian restaurants, pizzerias, and beach clubs.

    Nightlife

    1

    Fermento

    The upscale address for an evening in Malindi at the Galana Centre: The young, stylish crowd starts with cocktails, later they dance.
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    2

    Stars and Garters

    Bar with evening live music and Nyama Choma, grilled meat.
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    3

    Lost Beach Club

    Beach Club on Malindi Bay, opening late 2024, with a pool and sushi bar. On Thursdays, there are Beach Parties with Happy Hour, dinner, and a DJ until late.
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    Getting There & Around

    Getting ThereMalindi Airport is served by domestic flights from Nairobi.By road, Malindi is connected to Mombasa via Kilifi and Watamu.Around Town and ExcursionsTuk-tuks and taxis are the usual modes of transport.Glass-bottom boats run from Casuarina Point to Malindi Marine National Park. Non-resident adults pay US$25 per day as per KWS fee schedule effective October 1, 2025, payment via eCitizen.Around 30 to 40 kilometers inland lies the sandstone gorge of Marafa, known as Hell's Kitchen.SafetyFor current and authoritative travel and safety advice, see the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice, linked on the country page. The FCDO currently advises against all but essential travel to within 15 km of the coast between the Tana River and the Galana (Athi-Galana-Sabaki) River.

    Accommodations in Malindi

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    Nearby

    Gede Ruins

    Gede Ruins

    The ruins of Gede are the remains of a Swahili town in the coastal forest near Watamu, a few kilometers from the beaches. Since 2024, they have been a UNESCO World Heritage site, with mosques, a palace, and pillar tombs lying here among ancient trees.The town was probably founded in the 11th or 12th century and abandoned in the 17th century.

    Watamu is a small seaside resort south of Malindi on Kenya's North Coast, whose bays are part of one of Kenya's first marine national parks. Coral gardens lie only a few hundred metres offshore, and sea turtles nest on its beaches.Mida Creek with its mangroves, the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, and the Gede Ruins are in the immediate vicinity.
    Arabuko-Sokoke Forest

    Arabuko-Sokoke Forest

    The Arabuko-Sokoke Forest near Watamu, at approximately 420 square kilometers, is the largest preserved piece of coastal forest in East Africa. It is home to rare, globally threatened species like the Golden-rumped Sengi and Clarke's Weaver.For birdwatchers, it is one of the most rewarding destinations on the coast, and it is located directly next to the Gede Ruins and Watamu.
    Coast

    Coast

    Kenya's coast on the Indian Ocean stretches from the Tanzanian border to the Lamu Archipelago, combining white beaches, coral reefs, and a Swahili culture shaped over centuries. Here are several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Fort Jesus in Mombasa, Lamu Old Town, the Gede Ruins, and the sacred Kaya Forests of the Mijikenda.Many travelers combine an inland safari with a few days by the sea, for example in Diani, Watamu, or Malindi.
    Kilifi

    Kilifi

    Kilifi is situated on a wide creek, approximately halfway between Mombasa and Malindi. The Kilifi Creek, with its mangroves, sailboats, and birdlife, defines the area, and on the southern bank, atop a hill, stand the Mnarani ruins of a Swahili city.Kilifi also features Bofa Beach, a long sandy beach with several beach restaurants and a kitesurfing centre.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
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