City Market Curio Shops: Photos and What You'll Find

What to photograph, what to buy, and how to navigate Nairobi's City Market curio stalls without the guesswork.

What You'll Actually See in the Curio Shops

The curio stalls fill the upper floor of City Market, a 1950s building on Muindi Mbingu Street between Koinange and Market streets. Stallholders display soapstone bowls from Kisii, carved ebony animals, beaded Maasai collars, kikoi textiles, and woven baskets from Ukambani. You will also find printed fabrics, wooden masks, and jewellery laid out on calico cloths. The light comes from high windows and bare bulbs, so colours read warm and slightly yellow. Most stalls open by 8am and close around 6pm, Monday to Saturday; Sunday is quiet and many shutters stay down.

The market sits beside the Central Bus Station and a ten-minute walk from the Nairobi Railway Station. That position means steady foot traffic from commuters and school groups, so expect a busy, working atmosphere rather than a quiet gallery. Vendors are used to photographers and generally welcome a polite request before you lift a camera. Keep your shots of individual stalls brief, ask first, and avoid photographing people who have not agreed. The upper floor is reached by concrete stairs at the Market Street end, and the route is straightforward once you are inside.

Photos: Best Angles and When to Shoot

Mid-morning, between 9am and 11am, gives the most even light on the upper floor before the sun climbs and throws hard shadows. Stand at the top of the stairs and shoot along the corridor of stalls for a sense of depth. Close-ups of beadwork and soapstone benefit from a shallow depth of field; keep the background soft so the texture reads. The exterior facade, with its concrete fins and worn lettering, photographs well from the Koinange Street corner in soft late-afternoon light. Flash is rarely needed and can flatten the colours.

If you want photographs of the wider market without blocking aisles, the mezzanine-level walkway above the produce section gives a clean overhead angle. The lower floor is busier and darker, so save your time for the upper curio level. Vendors sometimes ask for a small consideration after a portrait; it is reasonable to agree before you shoot. Do not photograph military or police posts near the market entrances. For the most relaxed visit, aim for a weekday morning; Saturdays bring larger crowds and slower movement through the aisles.

Buying Well: What to Choose and What to Skip

Quality varies stall by stall. Kisii soapstone is heavy and best bought later in your trip; check for even colour and no hairline cracks. Beaded collars should have tight, uniform stitching and strong leather ties. Ebony carvings should feel dense and show clear grain; avoid pieces that smell of fresh varnish. Kikoi cloth is a practical light purchase, and woven baskets from Ukambani are sturdy and pack flat. Skip anything labelled as antique without provenance, and treat 'one of a kind' claims with polite caution. Bargaining is normal, but keep it friendly and brief.

Bring small notes and coins, as change for larger denominations can be slow to appear.There are no fixed prices on display, so ask before you commit. If you are unsure, walk the full loop once and compare three or four stalls before returning. The market is a short walk from hotels around Kimathi Street and Muindi Mbingu Street, which makes an early start easy. For a base, I would book a mid-range hotel near the junction of Muindi Mbingu and Kenyatta Avenue: you can walk to the market in under ten minutes, return to drop purchases, and still reach the Nairobi National Museum or the railway station without a taxi.

Questions, answered

Are you allowed to take photos inside City Market?

Yes, generally. Ask each stallholder before photographing their display or themselves, keep shots brief, and avoid security areas near entrances. A polite request and a small consideration for portraits go a long way.

What is the best time to visit the curio stalls?

Weekday mornings between 9am and 11am offer the best light and fewer crowds. Most stalls open by 8am and close around 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Sundays are quiet with many shutters down.

What souvenirs are worth buying at City Market?

Kisii soapstone, tightly stitched beaded collars, kikoi cloth, and woven baskets from Ukambani are reliable buys. Check carving grain and stitching quality, and skip 'antique' claims without provenance.

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