Nyali

The main tourist area in Mombasa with good security, modern facilities, and beach access. More expensive and less authentic, but straightforward to navigate and generally safe.

Nyali is the upscale part of Mombasa where most tourists stay. You'll find shopping malls, international restaurants, and beach hotels that cater to expats and visitors. Security guards stand outside hotels and residences, street lights work, and police patrol regularly. Most staff speak English since they're used to foreign guests. The area around City Mall and Nyali Beach stays busy into the evening with families and tourists. You'll see other women dining alone at cafes and restaurants - it's normal here. The beaches have hotel security, though stick to the main stretches after dark. It doesn't feel very Kenyan - more like an upscale tourist zone - but that's why it's easy to navigate and relatively safe.