Location: Kampala
Top Things to do in Kampala
Top 10 Free Things to do in Kampala, Central Region
Near the banks of Lake Victoria, Kampala, the capital of Uganda, is a lively city with a long history. Before the British, the city was the capital of the Buganda Kingdom, and remains so to this day. The city sits on several hills, each housing an important government or religious building. Kasubi Hill is the home of the Kasubi Tombs, a sacred burial ground of Buganda Kings. The Uganda Museum sits atop Kololo Hill, and features a hands-on collection of traditional musical instruments.
Restaurants in Kampala
1. Free Guided Walking Tours Kampala
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 117 reviews
Join the most popular free walking tours in Kampala every day at 10:00Am or 2:00Pm, done by our competent local guides and tip what you can afford at the end of the tour . All our tours are based on tips, * Queen Elizabeth NP Safaris* * Cooking Class* * One day Jinja trip* * One day Equator tour* *Lake victoria tour* *Volunteering*
2. Maridadi Crafts
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
The Swahili word Maridadi translates to glamorous, stylish and elegant. We first opened our doors in Kampala, Uganda in 2008 and have established ourselves in the art and crafts market ever since. Our commitment to bringing you an exquisite range of African crafts, handpicked and selected for every taste is unparalleled. Whether you’re looking for a gift for a loved one or a new piece that will add the “maridadi” effect to your home, every taste and need is catered to. Our wares are sourced from some of the best artisans all over Africa. Each piece that you buy from Maridadi represents hours of intricate designing, careful crafting and the flourish of creativity. We believe in commitment to fair trade and promoting our products in an eco-friendly way. Our collections aim to showcase the different cultures of Africa and the unique and beautiful crafts of different regions. For all modern connoisseurs searching for the cultural, modern and yet glamorous piece art.Welcome to Maridadi
3. Good Glass
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
At Good Glass we up-cycle used bottles from the local area of Kampala into uniquely beautiful household items, reducing the damaging litter in the streets whilst promoting environmental sustainability. All of this is produced in Uganda, by Ugandans! If you're in the area, come visit to see an array of items from chandeliers to candle holders. Great gifts for yourself or a friend. You are most welcome!
Reviewed By dannys0 - New York City, United States
My wife and I stumbled onto this place when walking around Kampala, but I'd really recommend going out of your way to check out this shop. Really cool way to promote reuse of products and directly impacting the community in need.
4. Social Innovation Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
The Social Innovation Museum is a unique place that will inspire you to want to change the world. Social Innovations are dynamic and living, thereby you will see how they happen and be able to interact with our Social Innovators from the Social Innovation Academy (SINA). Scholars will give you a free tour (tips towards the museum encouraged) and tell you their story, what they are working on and show you our 25+ social enterprises and innovations. Some highlights are our upcycled buildings from plastic bottles and the beautiful hill where we are located. We also offer specific workshops (e.g. upcycling plastic bottle construction) and training in social innovation with our facilitators from the Social Innovation Academy (SINA).
Reviewed By MelissaR6 - Melbourne, Australia
This is such an inspiring place to visit. They are really making a difference to the lives of people and developing and delivering some great projects. Well worth supporting.
5. Kampala Fair
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 57 reviews
Kampala Fair is a small Fair Trade brand based in Uganda where color is everything. We use African Print Fabric to make beautiful high quality clothing and home decor that appeals to women (also men & kids) around the globe. We guarantee that all our products are made by staff earning a good salary that allows them to provide for themselves and their family and work under decent conditions. Thank you for your support!
Reviewed By frankie256 - Kampala, Uganda
Loved the experience, and am sure my friends will love the gifts am super excited for their reaction
6. Kona
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
We are an Unique, homegrown Ugandan brand making fun quirky accessories. we are a 100% women run organisation and we are working on creating a brand for HOME accessories, KIDs & FASHION. Must see t see how we constantly make new products from locally sourced materials. Creating a sustainable brand!
Reviewed By M6222DCcourtneyb
I stopped in during the Christmas Market, and ended up running out twice to get more cash, everything was so cute! The clothing is very well made, and the designer knows exactly what will look good on your body (I doubted at first but she knows her stuff!). The jewelry is gorgeous and there's also a selection of high-quality natural soaps and skin care products. This is a must-visit!
7. Gallery Antique
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Gallery Antique Uganda specialises in tribal art sculptures, masks, old bead work and pottery My name is Joe Nixon Ndyanabangi. I have been a dealer of tribal African art and antiquities for 20 years now and specialise in arts from the Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and South Sudan but also minimum artifacts from Rwanda and Burundi. The collections accumulated after 15 yrs running three gift shopsand purchasing a lot tribal art and after curating a contemporary art gallery – Tulifanya Gallery – for 12 years and owning three shops in Uganda. After a while I decided to specialise in old, authentic, field-collected pieces which I sell to reputable collectors and international dealers. For those who are curious enthusiasts, collecting or dealers, you are welcome to telephone us to view our humble gallery and showroom on Gayaza Road, eight miles from the city centre of Kampala.
Reviewed By joels0628 - Brooklyn, United States
The vibrancy of Kampala plays with all of your senses and, Gallery Antique curated by Joe and his staff, does not disappoint. Joe has masterfully acquired hundreds of authentic antique art pieces from the region and use the entire property to tastefully pepper the compound with artwork. You can find antique shields made of hippos hides, ceremonial masks, head rests, tapestries and many more. Most rewarding and beneficial is the wealth of knowledge and eye for detail which Joe effortless possess, is unparalleled. When in Kampala a visit to Gallery Antique is a must and ask to see Joe’s personal treasures. That’s the cherry on top.
8. Rubaga-Kathedrale
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62 reviews
Reviewed By allertstar
This Cathedral is located on Lubaga Hill and maybe that’s reason it gets a lot of attention from far away. The façade has a small resemblance of Notre-Dame in Paris, albeit the entrance of Rubaga Cathedral has only one. The Cathedral has also a painting of the Ugandan Martyrs. In times of Covid, the Cathedral is doing a great job keeping the social distance.
9. Baha'i Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 220 reviews
Reviewed By atupelem2018 - Lilongwe, Malawi
I had a friendly guide .The grounds are well kempt,serene..was eye opening as well about the Baha'i faith.This is the only temple in Africa...
10. Namirembe Kathedrale
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By stevenhshin1 - Brooklyn, United States
This particular cathedral holds a very special place in my heart because of the magical experience I had within. It's absolutely wonderful. The cathedral is somewhat close to the new bus station in the heart of the city, and yet strangely, up there atop that hill where the cathedral lies, it is almost like a monastery. Serene, peaceful, a sanctuary where the winds gently blows through the trees and where only the quiet presence of historical Christian martyrs accompanies you. There is a hundreds of years old graveyard of these martyrs in front of the cathedral. I stood atop that hill watching white clouds of smoke from the city slowly drifting into the sky as I forgot the frantic rush I came from only half a hour earlier. I also managed to sneak inside a few hours after service had ended while there were two music lessons going on. As Mozart played softly in the background, I walked through the interior of the cathedral. It was beautiful. Large stained glass windows filtered in the late afternoon sunlight where dust motes were suspended, all fragile in that golden matrix. It felt like a holy place. There is a lot of history contained within that cathedral. From the graveyard outside to various parts of the cathedral inside. It's supremely beautiful for not only the architecture but also for it's location, and part of the reason why the Ugandan elite use the cathedral for ceremonies and weddings. I believe you can request a tour of the area for either a fee or a request for a donation at the end.
