Lamu

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Lamu town is the oldest living Swahili town in Kenya and has a rich history and texture increasingly threatened by modern interventions and the loss of its traditional socio-economic base. Lamu is comparable to others such as Zanzibar in Tanzania. It has managed to retain all its charm and character built up over centuries. The old city is inscribed on the World Heritage List as "the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa". Lamu appears to be a region almost frozen in time. The physical appearance and the character of the town have changed very little over the centuries.

The architecture of Lamu is uniquely Swahili, with storied buildings, intricately carved wooden doors and numerous mosques. Lamu is a dominant cultural centre reputable for its historic past and traditional socio-cultural traditions. As such visitors to Lamu can enjoy a large and diverse collection of heritage and cultural attractions. At the district level, Lamu has the remains of many heritage sites. These range from towns, like Shanga, Paté and Manda to hundreds of monuments. Some of these sites, such as Manda, are easily accessible, while others are located in thick vegetation making access difficult.

Due to the narrowness of the streets, automobiles are not allowed and the city is easily explored by foot, bicycle, or, as many locals favor donkey. Lamu also has world class hotel touts, who have the persistence of insurance salesmen, so be polite but firm in declining. Lamu is strictly Islamic, so visitors are advised to be sensitive in the way they dress.

Lamu is also unique in that it is host to three museums and a Fort with an impressive exhibition space, namely; Lamu Museum, Lamu Fort, German Post Office Museum, and Swahili House Museum. Lamu Museum can arrange guided tours to various archaeological and historical sites, whether to neighbouring Manda Island or further afield to Pate Island, where the ruins of the earliest known Swahili settlement of Shanga dated to the 8th century AD which can also be visited.