Menu

Youtube Instagram Facebook

Log In

CITY GUIDE

Lamu Old Town – Experience the Rich Kenyan Coastal Culture

Lamu Old Town
Lamu Old Town

Lamu Old Town

Lamu old town is Kenya’s oldest Town and is situated on the Lamu Island north of Mombasa (225miles) Conservation Area.

Lamu Old Town is the best-preserved Swahili settlement along the East African coast having been inhabited for over 700 years while other similar neighboring settlements were long abandoned.

Lamu Old Town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 due to its deep cultural and historical significance to the world.

The town has become a booming tourist attraction site and everyone deserves to experience the beauty of its culture, glorious architecture, sandy beaches and so much more.

History of Lamu Old Town

Lamu Old Town

Lamu Old Town is located in Lamu Town, Kenya along the East African coast.

The Lamu Fort was built around 200 years ago to protect the town from attacks. It was built at what used to be the northeastern corner of the town because it was the most vulnerable position from which the town could be attacked.

For this reason, it was built as a military installation in which case the thickness of the walls averages between 900 millimeters and 1.2 meters to withstand attacks.

The fort was later turned into a prison during the British colonial era from 1910 – 1984 and then rehabilitated to a social-cultural center after being handed over to the National Museums of Kenya in 1984.

The first floor currently holds the only public library within Lamu town. The courtyard is available for local weddings, meetings, and theatre productions and the museum is open to the public.

Magnificent Architecture of Lamu Old Town

Lamu Old Town

The architecture within the town is magnificent. The buildings have existed for such a long time thus having aged in all sorts of ways. The textures that have formed on the walls are all unique and their rustiness and old, faded, ancient nature has created such beautiful contrasts, it would be a photographer’s utopia.

The doors are made from large frames of quality wood each carved to such intricate perfection to form different patterns and designs.

The paths all over the town are so narrow that if we were to fit donkeys across, it would be four donkeys at most and they’d be squeezing each other to fit. For this reason, cars are not allowed within the town and the most common modes of transportation are donkeys and recently introduced motorcycles.

Getting to Lamu Old Town

Lamu is an island not so far from the mainland. To get there you could take a boat from Mombasa or Malindi. Alternatively, you could fly to Manda Island and take a 15-minute boat ride.

You could choose to book your accommodation within Lamu Old Town in a place like Swahili Dreams which has amazing Swahili decoration all over the apartment and a stunning uniquely designed swimming pool.

Nearby towns like Shela town which is a walking distance from Lamu Old town could be your option for accommodation as well. It has cleaner streets with more accommodation options. If you prefer high-end exclusive luxury living, Manda Island could be a place you’d want to try, it is a short boat ride to Lamu Old Town.

The sunset from Lamu is nothing short of breathtaking. The different shades of orange, pink, and turquoise split and reflect onto the water creating this amazing almost surreal moment of beauty. In that moment it’s peaceful, the waves are soft on the eyes and the ears and the breeze feels like it’s there to transport you to a paradise you are just learning about.

Swahili Culture in Lamu Old Town

In addition to your sunny, sandy, and chilled out vacation on the beaches of the country, you could pop up in Lamu Old Town to learn a thing or two about the Swahili culture; how they traded, the history of their structures, why they live how they do and so much more.

It would be a great opportunity as well to pick up traditional clothing, silver jewelry, and leatherwear from the local shops.

Travelling to Kenya.

NOTE: PLEASE CONSULT YOUR TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR COVID REGULATIONS WITH REGARD TO TRAVELLING TO KENYA

You can also check the Tourism ministry site here for all the latest travel information

Other Top Reads

Malawi

View Details

Windhoek, Namibia: Metropolis Amid An Oasis

View Details

10 Breathtaking Places to Visit in Africa

View Details
  • Things To Do:
  • What's Nearby:
  • Dhow safari
  • Cultural visit
  • Star gazing
  • Boat riding
  • Watch Sunset
  • Donkey rides
  • Sight Seeing
  • Shella Town

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Subscribe our Newsletter

TIMEOUT IN AFRICA

Time Out in Africa is a leading online magazine providing entertainment news, features on Health and Wellness, Living and Lifestyle, Travel and City Guide, as well as Movie and Music reviews from Africa.

Follow us

© 2017- 2022 Timeout In Africa is a Media Visto group company. All Rights Reserved.

Menu

Log In