Lamu is a town in Coastal Kenya. Its old town is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Lamu is vastly different from most cities in Kenya, most particularly due to the small number of motor vehicles and corresponding traffic. Culturally, Lamu also differs from interior of the country as it has retained its historic character as the oldest continually inhabited town in the country and one of the most important Swahili settlements.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Lamu is the main town on Lamu Island, which is in turn part of the Lamu Archipelago. The Old Town is located on Lamu's North-Eastern shore. About 3 km South of the Old Town, at the Eastern end of Shela beach, you will find Shela village, which is a smaller and cleaner version of old town Lamu and prime territory for wazungu (foreigners... the plural of mzungu) who pack the village's cafes and restaurants. The Southern coast of Lamu is a 12 km long sand beach called Shela Beach.
The main forms of transport are boats and boda-boda (motorcycle taxis). The boda-boda can take you between Shela and Lamu if you want to avoid the 45-minute walk in the heat. They cost Ksh 100-150 during low tide, and Ksh 250-300 during high tide (2025). If you ride with two passengers you can get a little discount. Lighting of the narrow streets at night is minimal. A flashlight is a recommended accessory for walking around at night.
The main attraction is the old town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001) with its winding streets and traditional houses. 1 Lamu Fort, Kenyatta Rd. Constructed between 1813 and 1821 by the sultans of Pate Island, with Omani assistance. It was used as a military fortress until 1910 when the British colonial government reorganized it as a prison. It remained a prison until 1984 when it was restored and reorganized into a library and a museum of environmental conservation. (updated Nov 2017) 2 Lamu Museum, Kenyatta Rd. Built in 1891, the Lamu Museum was the former residence of the British Governors during the colonial era.
Dhow sailing. You can explore the Lamu archipelago by dhow, a traditional Arab sailing vessel with one or more lateen sails. Dhow trips are relatively inexpensive and you can go as far as Manda Island, Takwa Ruins or Matondoni. Kiwayu is the most pristine of the islands and it is in a biosphere reserve. Prices start at Ksh 3000 for a 2-hour sunset trip with no food, and increases from there. (updated Apr 2024) Kite surfing. Lamu is a hotspot for kite surfers (updated Jan 2019) Wind surfing. There is a shed next to Peponi Hotel where an instructor will teach you for Ksh 3000 per hour. On Lamu Island: 1 Shela Beach.
The seafront restaurants in Lamu Town offer excellent seafood at reasonable prices. Delve further back from the dock for more traditional Swahili fare. Traditionally, the food is eaten with your fingers. Sometimes it is good to bring your own utensils, otherwise you will find yourself trying to eat oil-soaked rice with your fingers - not the easiest task. All better restaurants provide cutlery, if you want. In the streets around the covered market you will find many stalls with cheap and delicious street food.
Don't expect party central in Lamu – this is a majority Muslim island – however there are plenty enough places to grab a drink. Alcohol is pricier than what you'd find on the mainland. 1 Petleys. Meet up and drink beer with fellow travellers. (updated Jan 2019) 2 Lamu Palace hotel. You can also enjoy a Tusker at the Lamu Palace hotel, but this is more expensive than Petley's, and very quiet, but OK if you want to hear the waves crash against the sea wall and read a book. (updated Jan 2019) 3 Floating Bar. Very busy bar on Friday and Saturday evenings. Floating between Manda and Lamu islands. They have an alcohol license.
Lamu has had a poor safety reputation over the years due to the threat of the al-Shabaab terrorist organisation based in Somalia. This reputation is somewhat unfair. Lamu Island and Lamu town itself has never been attacked; rather the terrorists tend to attack the villages in the eponymous Lamu County (although sometimes they simply emerge out of the forest to give impromptu sermons to the villagers) and the terms get conflated by the media.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Sep, Lamu typically sees ~28°C daytime highs and 14 rainy days.
Flight prices are real fares travellers found in the last 48 hours, refreshed daily — the booking site confirms the final price. Train, bus and ferry fares are shown on the operators' booking sites. Weather data by Open-Meteo; exchange rates: ECB reference. Data updated 2026-09-27. Some links earn Stayonomy a commission at no cost to you.
stayonomy