Malindi town centre

Malindi, Kenya

A historic seaside town where Arab traders established a port over a thousand years ago and Vasco da Gama landed in 1498.

Places in Malindi town centre

Billionaire Grill & Bar Serves Italian fusion cuisine, with Sunday brunch a local event.
Bar Bar Restaurant & Pizzeria Offers delectable cuisine meets a vibrant atmosphere.
Billionaire Grill & Bar Italian fusion cuisine and a lively bar scene, with Sunday brunch a local event.

Best time to visit: October to March offers the best chance to swim with whale sharks in Malindi Bay, while the dry season overall provides the most reliable beach weather.
Getting around: Malindi town centre sits along Tropical Beach, with Watamu 20km south for superior snorkelling, and Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve and Gede Ruins reachable as short day trips inland.
Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KSh)
Language: Swahili and English (both official).
Timezone: EAT (UTC+3)
Current trends: Malindi's dining scene continues to reflect its historic role as Kenya's original beach town, with Billionaire Resort's Italian fusion cuisine and Sunday brunch tradition serving the town's strong Italian-expat community, while October-to-March whale shark season in Malindi Bay remains the marquee draw alongside the Gede Ruins' ancient Swahili heritage.

Tropical Beach district — Where tourists and locals enjoy soothing dips in crystal-clear waters on soft, golden sands.
Gede Ruins / Arabuko-Sokoke district — Home to the ancient Swahili town ruins and a forest reserve harbouring elephants and 200+ bird species.