About Malindi - presentation, information, photos and recommendations

Malindi has been a Swahili settlement since the 14th century. Once rivaled only by Mombasa for dominance in this part of East Africa, Malindi has traditionally been a port city for foreign powers. In 1414, the town was visited by the fleet of the Chinese explorer Zheng He. Malindi's ruler sent a personal envoy with a giraffe as a present to China on that fleet.

The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama met Malindi authorities in 1498 to sign a trade agreement and hire a guide for the voyage to India, when he erected a coral pillar. The pillar stands to this day, though there have been calls by conservationists to take care of it, since soil erosion might make the pillar fall into the ocean. It is a fairly popular tourist attraction for both local and international tourists. In 1499 the Portuguese established a trading post in Malindi that served as a resting stop on the way to and from India. A church dates from this era.
Many traditional buildings survive, including the Juma Mosque and palace on the beach, a stretch popular with tourists.

Their friendliness and welcoming attitude among others is a charm that cannot be rivaled in any other tourist destination the world over. Malindi is known for its culinary prowess with its restaurants, hotels, coffeehouses and other eating places offering a wide range of cuisines ranging from local flavors to international cuisines. The revival of the architectural industry and carpentry specializing in local wood artifacts is something to be savored by all visitors.

Malindi has got various woodcarvers who can make very unique furniture and also the famous Lamu beds. There are also local tour guides to take you around to exotic places you have never seen before!

Given that Malindi is a seaside resort, do not forget to go out swimming in the warm waters, go deep sea fishing or visit the marine park alongside sunbathing and other beach sports in this lovely aquatic paradise. Various activities, religious, cultural and other activities which involve the whole of Malindi community do take place and tourists are invited to attend such functions and have a feeling of being part of the community, for example, participation in beach cleaning, tree planting and religious festivals.


Malindi | Malindi has been a Swahili settlement since the 14th century. Once rivaled only by Mombasa for dominance in this part of East Africa, Malindi has traditionally been a port city for foreign powers. In 1414, the town was visited by the fleet of the Chinese explorer Zheng He

Information source 

Top hotels in Malindi

Sandies Tropical Village, Malindi

Sandies Tropical Village  

Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

  • Hotel on the beach  
  • Airplane (09/11 - 03/14/2025)
  • No transport provided
Lion In The Sun, Malindi

Lion In The Sun

Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

    • No transport provided
    Stephanie Ocean Resort, Malindi

    Stephanie Ocean Resort

    Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

      • No transport provided
      Hotel Diamonds Dream Of Africa, Malindi

      Hotel Diamonds Dream Of Africa

      Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

      • Hotel with outdoor pool  
      • Airplane (11/29 - 03/14/2025)
      • No transport provided
      Silver Rock, Malindi

      Silver Rock

      Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

        • No transport provided
        Sandies Coconut Village, Malindi

        Sandies Coconut Village

        Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

          • No transport provided
          African Dada Resort, Malindi

          African Dada Resort

          Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

            • No transport provided
            Kilili Baharini Resort Spa, Malindi

            Kilili Baharini Resort Spa

            Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

              • No transport provided
              Joysvilla Guest House, Malindi

              Joysvilla Guest House

              Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

                • No transport provided
                Watamu Bay Ora Resort, Malindi

                Watamu Bay Ora Resort

                Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

                • Full Board  
                • No transport provided
                Ora Resort Twiga Beach, Malindi

                Ora Resort Twiga Beach

                Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

                  • No transport provided
                  Scorpio Villas, Malindi

                  Scorpio Villas

                  Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

                    • No transport provided
                    Coral Sea Villas, Malindi

                    Coral Sea Villas

                    Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

                      • No transport provided
                      Marine Holiday House, Malindi

                      Marine Holiday House

                      Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

                        • No transport provided
                        Jacaranda Beach Ora Resort, Malindi

                        Jacaranda Beach Ora Resort

                        Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

                          • No transport provided
                          Kenyan House Malindi, Malindi

                          Kenyan House Malindi

                          Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

                            • No transport provided
                            Samawati Conservancy Guest House, Malindi

                            Samawati Conservancy Guest House

                            Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

                              • No transport provided
                              Angel S Bay Resort, Malindi

                              Angel S Bay Resort

                              Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

                                • No transport provided
                                Ocean Beach Resort Spa, Malindi

                                Ocean Beach Resort Spa

                                Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

                                  • No transport provided
                                  Villa Malindi, Malindi

                                  Villa Malindi

                                  Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

                                    • No transport provided
                                    Sandies Tropical Village, Malindi

                                    Sandies Tropical Village

                                    Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

                                    • All Inclusive  
                                    • No transport provided
                                    Sandies Malindi Dream Garden, Malindi

                                    Sandies Malindi Dream Garden

                                    Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

                                    • Ultra All Inclusive  
                                    • No transport provided
                                    Villa Ameera, Malindi

                                    Villa Ameera

                                    Malindi, Malindi, Kenya

                                      • No transport provided

                                      Map of hotels Malindi

                                      Travel map Malindi

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