Mombasa's Top Religious Sites (Self Guided), Mombasa

Mombasa has a strong Arab influence, a fact which is reflected in the great number of old mosques in this Kenyan city. But here you’ll also find many Hindu temples and Christian churches that have been established over time. Take our self-guided tour to explore the religious life of the city.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and AroundTheGlobe.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in Mombasa

Guide Name: Mombasa's Top Religious Sites
Guide Location: Kenya » Mombasa (See other walking tours in Mombasa)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 8
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Author: vickyc
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:

Burhani Mosque
Azhar Mosque
Dawoodi Bohra Mosque
Mombasa Memorial Cathedral
Shiva Temple
Holy Ghost Roman Cathedral
Jain Temple
Swaminarayan Temple

1) Burhani Mosque

The Burhani Mosque is the largest mosque in Old Town Mombasa. Like the others, it is located near the old harbor, facing the ocean. This mosque is an especially good example of the best in Islamic architecture of Mombasa, because both itself and all the surrounding buildings are the top quality edifices from the centuries-ago Muslim period of this African island.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Matteo.

2) Azhar Mosque

The Azhar Mosque is another beautiful mosque in the Old Town area of Mombasa. It is a very pleasant district to walk around in and see the narrow Arab-style streets with beautiful historic homes and balconies. Set near the old harbor, this mosque also offers splendid ocean views.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and mrehan.

3) Dawoodi Bohra Mosque

The Dawoodi Bohra Mosque is one of the city’s top historic sights, as well as being a functioning place of worship. Constructed in 1902, it lies near the top of a cliff in the Old Town district, facing out into the ocean. Its architecture and its view are equally magnificent, making it a must-see for any visitor to the town.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Outwards.

4) Mombasa Memorial Cathedral

The Mombasa Memorial Cathedral is an Anglican Church that dates from British colonial times. Interestingly, the church has a similar appearance to that of the many mosques in the city, because it was designed to blend in with the local architecture. This white-colored church has arches and a silver-colored dome.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Zahra Abdulmajid.

5) Shiva Temple

The Lord Shiva Temple is a beautiful Hindu edifice that offers much to admire in its architecture, including a gold spire on its roof. There are also impressive lion statues standing guard outside the temple entrance. This temple is also a symbol of the religious and cultural diversity of the city.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and David Pirmann.

6) Holy Ghost Roman Cathedral

The Holy Ghost Cathedral is the primary Roman Catholic church in Mombasa. The Catholic faith started to appear on this African island around the end of the 19th Century. At the time of this church’s construction, the building was situated in the very heart of the city. While typical in appearance for a Christian church, the building looks quite unique in this exotic island context.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Zahra Abdulmajid.

7) Jain Temple (must see)

The Jain Temple is both a religious and a historic sight of Mombasa. This beautiful white edifice is decorated with numerous amazing figurines and sculptures. Members of the Jain community from all over the world come here to pray. Of course, any visitor who comes here can admire this magnificent building, no matter what their faith is.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Aart Rietveld collection.

8) Swaminarayan Temple (must see)

The Shree Cutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple, to give its full name, is one of the most magnificent examples of Hindu architecture in Kenya. Tourists from all over the world come here to experience its beauty. Inside, you can see the temple that in large part forms the way of life of the city people from a Gujarati background.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and AroundTheGlobe.

Walking Tours in Mombasa, Kenya

Create Your Own Walk in Mombasa

Creating your own self-guided walk in Mombasa is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Mombasa Introduction Walking Tour

Kenya's second-largest city Mombasa is a bustling metropolis and a major regional cultural and economic hub. Owing to its strategic location on the country's east coast, facing the Indian ocean, Mombasa enjoys steady influx of visitors as both, a seaport and tourist destination. The most notable local landmarks include the famous "Tusks", Swaminarayan Temple, Jain Temple, Fort... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles

Mombasa Shopping Tour

Mombasa is the best place in Kenya for souvenirs, because most of the country’s unique handicrafts are made right here in the city. You can get many amazing African art pieces, handmade jewelry and home decorations like captivating wooden statues. Take our tour to find the best shopping spots in the city, from the beach to the Old Town district.

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles