Kilimani ranked 28th among 'coolest neighbourhoods' in the world

Nairobi’s Kilimani estate has been ranked at position 28 out of 51 ‘Coolest Neighbourhoods’ worldwide. 

A survey by Time Out described Kilimani as “the place to find the heart and soul of Nairobian life.”

It said that Kilimani is compact enough to walk around and yet bursting with a vibrant arts and entertainment vibe. 

“It’s here that you can walk past the president’s formal residence at State House and, five minutes later, watch monkeys gambol in an indigenous forest at Nairobi Arboretum,” Time Out described the posh Nairobi neighbourhood.

“Like much of Nairobi, Kilimani’s gems are hidden beneath frenetic traffic and half-built high-rises, but scratch the surface and you’ll find a thriving social scene: art galleries, nightclubs, coffee shops and bars, together with some of Nairobi’s best restaurants, and new venues opening up all the time. Ditch the tourist trail and hang out where Nairobi goes to party,” it added. 

According to Time Out, the neighbourhoods that made it to the list are areas with accessible, cutting-edge culture and nightlife; brilliant and affordable food and drink; lively street life and big community vibes. 

The second African neighbourhood to make it to the list is Sea Point in Cape Town ranking at position 38 with the suburb being described as an Oceanside suburb with lovely sunsets. 

The final African neighbourhood to appear on the list was Festac Town in Lagos, Nigeria, which emerged at position 50 which was described as having a contemporary urban lifestyle.

For five years now Time Out has taken the canvas of thousands of city-dwellers around the world in their index survey. 

It combines their views with expert input from their global network of local editors and writers so as to compile an annual ranking of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods.