Lamu

Lamu Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest continuously inhabited Swahili settlement in East Africa. Walking through its narrow coral stone alleyways feels like stepping back several centuries. There are no cars on the island. Transport happens by foot, donkey, or dhow. The call to prayer echoes from centuries old mosques, and the architecture tells the story of centuries of trade between Africa, Arabia, India, and Europe.

The pace of life here is genuinely different from anywhere else in Kenya. Mornings start slowly. Afternoons are for resting. Evenings come alive on the waterfront where fishermen sell the day's catch and families gather along the seawall. The island has a handful of beautiful boutique hotels converted from historic Swahili houses, with rooftop terraces looking out over the Indian Ocean.

Beyond the Old Town, Shela Beach is a twelve kilometer stretch of near empty white sand that regularly appears on lists of the world's most beautiful beaches. Dhow trips to the surrounding islands and mangrove channels fill lazy days. Lamu is not for everyone. There is no nightlife, limited WiFi, and the heat can be intense. But for those who connect with it, Lamu is unforgettable.