Kilifi County district, Kenya

Places to visit near Malindi

Malindi is a city in Kilifi County district, Kenya, home to about 118,265 people. Within 50 km by road there are 171 places to visit — 93 churches, 27 mosques & dargahs, 19 beaches & coast and 8 wildlife, forests & gardens. The must-see places are Malindi Museum (1 km), Portuguese Chapel (1 km) and Vasco da Gama Pillar (2 km).

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

Malindi, Kenya
Malindi, Kilifi County district, Kenya. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Malindi at a glance

Location
Kilifi County district, Kenya
Population
about 118,265
Coordinates
3.2180° S, 40.1169° E
Places within 50 km
171 (7 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to March for beaches & coast; November to March for sightings for wildlife, forests & gardens; year-round for churches and mosques & dargahs

Top places to visit near Malindi

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

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Things to see near Malindi, by type

Churches near Malindi

109 churches within 100 km of Malindi. The closest is Ack St. Mary's Pro-cathedral (1 km); the best-known is Portuguese Chapel (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Mosques & dargahs near Malindi

32 mosques & dargahs within 100 km of Malindi. The closest is Masjid Al-Noor (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Beaches & coast near Malindi

26 beaches & coast within 100 km of Malindi. The closest is Beach @ Kilili Baharini (3 km); the best-known is Malindi Marine Reserve (6 km). Best time: october to march.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Malindi

11 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Malindi. The closest is Uhuru Garden (1 km); the best-known is Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve (31 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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Forts & heritage near Malindi

7 forts & heritage within 100 km of Malindi. The closest is Vasco da Gama Pillar (2 km). Best time: october to february.

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Rivers, islands & mangroves near Malindi

6 rivers, islands & mangroves within 100 km of Malindi. The closest is Kirepwe (27 km). Best time: september to february.

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A one-day trip from Malindi

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 46 km on the road.

  1. Start in Malindi
  2. 1 km Malindi Museum · museum, Kilifi County
  3. 1 km Portuguese Chapel · church, Kilifi County
  4. 1 km Vasco da Gama Pillar · heritage site, Kilifi County
  5. 5 km Malindi Marine Reserve · beach
  6. 19 km Ruins of Gedi · heritage site, Kilifi County
  7. 19 km Back to Malindi

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

From travellers near Malindi

No traveller has reported from around Malindi 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 Malindi

    All places near Malindi by distance

    Within 15 km of Malindi

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Malindi by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Churches93109Ack St. Mary's Pro-cathedral (1 km)
    Mosques & dargahs2732Masjid Al-Noor (1 km)
    Beaches & coast1926Beach @ Kilili Baharini (3 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens811Uhuru Garden (1 km)
    Forts & heritage57Vasco da Gama Pillar (2 km)
    Other attractions56Mastjid Nor (1 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves66Kirepwe (27 km)
    Parks25Shell (1 km)
    Museums34Malindi Museum (1 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs23Lake Chem Chem (11 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints12Nyari Viewpoint (39 km)
    Caves02Panga Ya Saidi (83 km)
    Temples01Tabernacle of Temple of Praise (68 km)

    Malindi: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Malindi?

    Malindi Museum (museum, about 1 km), Portuguese Chapel (church, about 1 km), Vasco da Gama Pillar (heritage site, about 2 km), Malindi Marine Reserve (beach, about 6 km), Ruins of Gedi (heritage site, about 19 km), House of Columns (museum, about 1 km).

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

    171 places on Spotwander: 93 churches, 27 mosques & dargahs, 19 beaches & coast, 8 wildlife, forests & gardens, 5 forts & heritage.

    Which is the nearest church to Malindi?

    Ack St. Mary's Pro-cathedral, about 1 km by road; Holy Gate Mountain Pentecostal Ministries, Hq (1 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest dargah to Malindi?

    Masjid Al-Noor, about 1 km by road; Sheikh Nassor Mosque (0 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest beach to Malindi?

    Beach @ Kilili Baharini, about 3 km by road; Malindi Bay (4 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Malindi?

    Start in Malindi, visit Malindi Museum, then Portuguese Chapel, then Vasco da Gama Pillar, then Malindi Marine Reserve, then Ruins of Gedi, and drive back — about 46 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Malindi?

    October to March for beaches & coast; November to March for sightings for wildlife, forests & gardens; year-round for churches and mosques & dargahs.

    Towns near Malindi

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