Lamu district, Kenya

Places to visit near Lamu

Lamu is a town in Lamu district, Kenya, home to about 24,525 people. Within 50 km by road there are 72 places to visit — 20 forts & heritage, 17 rivers, islands & mangroves, 4 mosques & dargahs and 6 wildlife, forests & gardens. The must-see places are Riyadha Mosque (1 km), Lamu Museum (1 km) and Manda (6 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Lamu on the map

Lamu, Kenya
Lamu, Lamu district, Kenya. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Lamu at a glance

Location
Lamu district, Kenya
Population
about 24,525
Coordinates
2.2717° S, 40.9020° E
Places within 50 km
72 (5 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for forts & heritage; September to February for rivers, islands & mangroves; year-round for mosques & dargahs

Top places to visit near Lamu

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Lamu: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

More places near Lamu

Things to see near Lamu, by type

Forts & heritage near Lamu

26 forts & heritage within 100 km of Lamu. The closest is Lamu Fort (1 km); the best-known is Takwa Ruins (9 km). Best time: october to february.

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Rivers, islands & mangroves near Lamu

24 rivers, islands & mangroves within 100 km of Lamu. The closest is Shaka la Siyu (2 km); the best-known is Manda (6 km). Best time: september to february.

All rivers, islands & mangroves in Kenya →

Mosques & dargahs near Lamu

15 mosques & dargahs within 100 km of Lamu. The closest is Riyadha Mosque (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Lamu

15 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Lamu. The closest is KWS Kiunga Marine National Reserve (1 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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Churches near Lamu

10 churches within 100 km of Lamu. The closest is Lamu Mother of Jesus (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Beaches & coast near Lamu

5 beaches & coast within 100 km of Lamu. The closest is Shela,Coast,KE (3 km); the best-known is Shela Beach (4 km). Best time: october to march.

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A one-day trip from Lamu

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 22 km on the road.

  1. Start in Lamu
  2. 1 km Riyadha Mosque · mosque, Lamu
  3. 1 km Lamu Museum · museum, Lamu
  4. 2 km Shaka la Siyu · river spot, Lamu
  5. 4 km Manda · river spot, Lamu
  6. 5 km Takwa Ruins · heritage site, Lamu
  7. 9 km Back to Lamu

Plan a longer trip from Lamu — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Lamu

No traveller has reported from around Lamu yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Lamu

    All places near Lamu by distance

    Within 15 km of Lamu

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Lamu by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Forts & heritage2026Lamu Fort (1 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves1724Shaka la Siyu (2 km)
    Mosques & dargahs415Riyadha Mosque (1 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens615KWS Kiunga Marine National Reserve (1 km)
    Churches710Lamu Mother of Jesus (1 km)
    Other attractions55Baraka Gallery (1 km)
    Beaches & coast55Shela,Coast,KE (3 km)
    Museums44German Post Office (1 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs23Bele Bele (17 km)
    Parks11Sanctuary (5 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints11Pate Cliffs (33 km)

    Lamu: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Lamu?

    Riyadha Mosque (mosque, about 1 km), Lamu Museum (museum, about 1 km), Manda (river spot, about 6 km), Takwa Ruins (heritage site, about 9 km), Shaka la Siyu (river spot, about 2 km), Tawasal (heritage site, about 2 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Lamu?

    72 places on Spotwander: 20 forts & heritage, 17 rivers, islands & mangroves, 4 mosques & dargahs, 6 wildlife, forests & gardens, 7 churches.

    Which is the nearest fort to Lamu?

    Lamu Fort, about 1 km by road; Tawasal (2 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest river spot to Lamu?

    Shaka la Siyu, about 2 km by road; Lamu (6 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest dargah to Lamu?

    Riyadha Mosque, about 1 km by road; Shia Ithna-Asheri Mosque (0 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Lamu?

    Start in Lamu, visit Riyadha Mosque, then Lamu Museum, then Shaka la Siyu, then Manda, then Takwa Ruins, and drive back — about 22 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Lamu?

    October to February for forts & heritage; September to February for rivers, islands & mangroves; year-round for mosques & dargahs.

    Towns near Lamu

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Lamu’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Lamu on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.