Culture & Heritage · Lamu Island, Coast Province
Lamu Old Town
The oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa, continuously inhabited for over 700 years, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001.
How to get there
By scheduled flight to Lamu, or a longer road-and-ferry route from Mombasa.
What to find
Car-free streets, coral-stone architecture with carved wooden doors, and the annual Lamu Cultural Festival.
Overview
Lamu Old Town is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa, continuously lived in for more than 700 years. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.
There are almost no cars on the island. You get around on foot, by donkey or by dhow, through narrow streets of coral-stone houses with carved wooden doors. It's a unique place to experience Swahili culture, Islamic heritage and the slow rhythm of island life.
Highlights
- Car-free streets, donkeys and carved Swahili doors
- The Lamu Museum and Lamu Fort
- Sunset dhow sailing
- Shela village and its long sand beach
- Festivals such as the Lamu Cultural Festival and Maulidi
Things to do
Old Town walk
A guided walk through the lanes and landmarks.
Dhow trips
Sunset sails and island-hopping.
Beach time
Shela beach and Manda Island.
Best time to visit
The dry seasons, roughly December to March and July to October. April to June brings heavy rain.
Getting there
By scheduled flight to Manda Island airstrip, then a short boat ride to Lamu.
Where to stay
Restored Swahili houses and boutique hotels in Lamu town and Shela.
Lamu
A selection of well-known options, not a complete list. See all accommodation in Kenya →
Good to know
- Dress modestly in town, especially outside the beach areas.
- Check current travel advice: guidance for Lamu and Manda islands is often different from parts of the wider Lamu County.
Permit prices, park rules and access can change. We always confirm the latest details when we plan your trip.