Gede Ruins

Gede is a Swahili town that was built in coral stone, lived in for centuries, and then abandoned — left to the forest, which has been quietly taking it back ever since. You walk among the walls of houses, a mosque and a palace, under enormous baobabs, with monkeys crashing about overhead.

It is shaded and flat, which makes it one of the easier outings with children. Guides at the gate are worth taking: the site makes much more sense with someone explaining what you are looking at.

Half a day is plenty, and it pairs well with the forest nearby.