Sanaa Things to Do

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If you want to enjoy a view over the roof tops of Old Sana'a then visit Taj Talha Hotel. Get there at dawn or dusk for nice views. Unfortunately despite the excellent view, the management doesn't seem to take advantage of it. There should have been a nice terrace bar. instead of that some chairs. Complete neglect!! There is only a spacious indoors mafraj but with limited views.

A common route for us between the old city and our hotel to at-Tahrir square was the wide pedestrian road through Bab as-Sabah.
Full of various shops (fruit stores, clothing etc) and crowded it can give you a short idea of what everyday life in the new city looks like.

This large square is the administrative heart of the city where the post office, the museum of traditional arts and cafts, shops and several telecoms are. Though not impressive, it is a meting point for locals.
Specially interesting is to visit At-Tahrir on Friday morning where a lot of local men have their leisure walk and street vendors sell things like books. We also saw some photographers owing nicely decorated horses which you could ride and have a nice photo.

There are numerous mosques in the old city but most of them are open only to Muslims though sometimes you can take a peek into their interior from the doorstep.
The Great Mosque is the most significant as it has served for a long time as an Islamic school. It is said to have a state of the art carved ceiling and a library containing a large collection of manuscripts.

From the galleries inside the Gate you can climb up the stairs to the top of the Gate and enjoy a wonderful view over the old city and the souq entrance plus the colorful crowd moving around.
A nice spot for endless photos....

The (Gate) Bab al-Yaman was built by the occupying Ottoman forces in 1870 and now provides a focal point for the trading activity of the old town. It is also a landmark separating the old city from the new one. Besides it is illuminated by night.
It now houses the Gallery Al-Bab and the Atelier where local artists exhibit their work (rather pricey but beautiful work).
Just inside the gate is a courtyard just before the souq starts. Old Sana'a was encircled by rampart which used to have six gates. Today only the southern gate (Bab Al-Yaman) has survived. Many parts of the rampart together with its towers have collapsed but still some parts exist. Particularly the eastern and the southern part adjacent to Bab AI-Yaman

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Unfortunately most travel agencies itineraries include a stay in Sana'a for just 1-2 days. This is big mistake. Sana'a old city is almost a fairytale and you never get bored looking at it!
By day and particularly by night.
As safety is not a major issue, walking around the old city after sunset is an unforgettable memory. The beautiful tower houses are nicely illuminated, the narrow streets are almost desserted...Very romantic!

This place whose name means Yemen's Door is one of the old city gates at Sanaa. It is swarming with people and a most interesting place. Going through it you find yourself in a large square and then the old souq lures you into it further on across the square from the gate.