Nairobi attractions

Gleaming silver domes and geometric minarets rise above Nairobi’s Jamia Mosque, which is among the most important religious buildings in Kenya. While the interior is generally only accessible to Muslim visitors, all travelers can enjoy outside views of the mosque, easy to do while taking in nearby downtown sights.

Overlooking Nairobi and Nairobi National Park, the Ngong Hills are a ridge of peaks that are popular among hikers and lovers of the great outdoors. The area is an excellent place to go for a hike without having to stray too far from the city.

A certified Fair Trade organization, the Kazuri Beads Factory is an artisanal crafts studio in the green and lush Karen suburbs of Nairobi. It’s known for hand-crafted and brightly painted kiln-fired ceramic beads and pottery. What originally started as a tiny workshop in the 1970s has blossomed into a huge enterprise employing hundreds of local women, including single mothers.

One of the best places in Nairobi to pick up souvenirs or photograph colorful handicrafts is the Maasai Market, an open-air market that changes location daily. Here, you'll find everything from beaded jewelry to textiles, along with carvings, baskets, and other home decor items.

The largest urban memorial park in Kenya, Uhuru Gardens was erected after the country gained its independence from British colonizers. Uhuru, Swahili for “freedom,” is comprised of verdant, grassy fields with three major landmarks, and is frequented by local families who like to picnic there on the weekends.

A short drive from Nairobi will take you to Paradise Lost, a nature park that feels like it's worlds away. Situated on a coffee farm, the park features caves, a waterfall, and a lake, plus activities such as ziplining and horseback riding.