Yemen Things to Do

  SOCOTRA ISLAND
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  • SOCOTRA ISLAND
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Al-Hajjara and the Huraz Mountains

by travelinxs

10/10Al-Hujjara is an extraordinary village clinging precariously to the mountain top and set among some of the best scenery in all of Yemen. There is good, laid back accommodation but it is the chance to wander off into the mountains and villages scattered all around that make it so worth while. I would recommend 2 full days here if possible and you may want to consider a guide to make the most of it. Finding one in the village will not, believe me, be a problem! If you love mountains don't miss this!

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Shibam / Khokabam

by travelinxs

rating: 7/10There is more than one Shibam, hence why I've lumped these two neighbouring villages together. Only about 1 1/2 hours north west of Sana'a, Shibam, despite sounding interesting in the guide books I found to be little more than another scruffy little village, though in an interesting setting. It really is more just a gateway to Khokabam on the tabletop mountain above. There is a road up to Khokabam but if you have the energy to climb the path from Shibam this is the way to go. It will take about an hour. Khokabam is a wonderful village from where there are 360 degree views of the plains below, has good accommodation and friendly inhabitants.

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Manakha and the Huraz Mountains

by travelinxs

7/10West of Sana'a you climb into the stunning Manakha Mountains. The town itself, perched high on a ridge has great view all around though is very scruffy (as are many Yemeni towns). As a preference I would continue along the road about 2km to Al-Hajjara.

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Sana'a

by travelinxs

rating: 10/10First off, this rating above. Not everyone will have time to see all of Yemen and may need to make sacrifices, so I have rated the destinations how I found them ...10/10 being an absolute must-see5/10 being just about worth it but dont expect too much1/10 being I'd rather chew my own foot offOf course its only my personal view and everyone's is different, but it may help. Sana'a is a very beautiful city with a medieval feel to it. The suq is a fascinating maze of alleyways and tiny shops worth exploring but the highlight is simply the buildings themselves. There is the National Museum which is moderately interesting but in all one full day is probably all you are really going to need plus time to venture out to surrounding towns and villages.

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Best viewpoints - Sanaa

by MichaelFalk1969

Most hotels in the Old Town of Sanaa give free access to their roof where you can make exceptional photos of the Old Town architecture. The "Gallery no. 1" in the Old Town is located in a "samsarat" (=former trading post) with a great view on Sanaa as well, especially at night. You can climb on the ramparts of the "Bab al Yemen". There is an entrance to an art gallery on the left-hand side (seen from the city), the stairs to the right lead above. Here you have a fascinating look on the chaotic Suk.

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Kawkaban

by traveldave

Kawkaban is one of the most scenic and photogenic villages in Yemen. It is only one hour out of Sana'a, so it makes for a popular day trip from the capital. Because it is a popular tourist destination, this was the only place in Yemen where I encountered aggressive locals trying to sell souvenirs. Most were offering very rare and valuable ancient coins, but because almost everyone had these coins, they were not very rare, valuable, or ancient.Kawkaban was built on top of a 1,148-foot (350-meter) cliff as a refuge from the tribal warfare that was prevalent in Yemen at that time. The village also served as a fortress to protect the town of Shibam located at the foot of the cliff. (This is not the more famous Shibam known as the "Manhattan of the Desert" located in the Hadhramawt region). Kawkaban was never conquered, but much of the village was destroyed by aerial bombing during one of...

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Sana'a Old Town

by traveldave

Sana'a Old Town, or Alqadeemah in Arabic, is one of the great sights of the world. It was declared a World Heritage City in 1984 by UNESCO, and the Arab Cultural Capital in 2004. It is noted for its unique, ancient architecture which involves mud brick and elaborate friezes. Due to its importance not only to Yemen but to the world, preservation measures are underway, by both international agencies and the Yemeni government.There are over 6,500 houses in Sana'a Old Town. They are multi-storied, and can be considered the first "skyscrapers" in the world. The houses, many of which are more than 400 years old, are made of mud brick and have decorative whitewashed friezes and intricately carved frames around their windows and doors. And many have brightly colored stained glass windows.Sana'a Old Town is surrounded by mud-brick walls 20 to 30 feet (six to nine meters) high, in which massive...

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Al-Qahera Castle

by traveldave

One of the most impressive sights in Ta'iz is al-Qahera Castle, also known as Cairo Castle. Perched precariously on a sharp spine of Sabr Mountain 591 feet (180 meters) above the city, it can be seen from throughout the valley in which Ta'iz is located.The castle was constructed by the Ottoman Turks during their reign. The Ottoman Turks controlled Yemen from the fifteenth century until 1918. Al-Qahera Castle later played an important role in local history. Ahmad al Tolaia was the leader of a revolt to overthrow Imam Ahmad, who controlled the region. From the castle, Imam Ahmad ordered his military leader, al Maghany, to fire the castle cannons into the revolutionaries below. Many were killed, including the imam's brother, who had joined the revolutionaries. And during the civil war before unification of North Yemen and South Yemen, al-Qahera Castle was used as a military base, although...

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Sana'a - surrounding area

by travelinxs

A day trip out to Wadi Dhahr is really well worth it and doesnt require any permits.To get there leave through the Bab Al yemen gate, cross the road and pass through one of the alleys in the buildings opposite to the bus station. Ask for a bus to Jamal Al Jadete (20YR / 10c / UK0.05) - it will be a mid size bus, not a minibus.At Jamal Al Jadete jump off and onto a bus to Madaba. (20YR)You will be dropped off near a roundabout in the village of Madaba where you have a choice:Wait for a minibus going to Wadi Dhahr.Accept a lift from a motorist for 100YR (.50c / UK0.25)Walk - it will take about 1 1/2 hr to walk, the first half of which is flat and boring but the second half an enjoyable descent into the valley.Allow at least an hour to visit the Saltans Palace (500YR / $2.50 / UK1.25) and a stroll around the villages.

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Sultan`s Palace in Sayun

by MichaelFalk1969

The major attraction of Sayun is the former Sultan`s Palace, towering above the smaller houses of the city. On the different levels of the palace you get excellent photo opportunities for a birds-eye picture of Sayun. The palace features a small (boring) museum and a superb photo exhibition with interesting black- and white pictures from Yemen in the 30`s, plus some gift shops.

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Fun things to do in Yemen

Top 3 Hotels in Yemen

Arabia Felix  Sanaa

 6 Reviews and 22 Opinions  absolutely PERFECT! We had all we need - hot water, cable TV, views and very interesting stay.... 

 Hotels in Sanaa

Shibam Hotel  Shibam

 2 Reviews and 0 Opinions  I didn't stay there, but went there in early afternoon hoping for a cup of tea. But they don't have... 

 Hotels in Shibam

Al Hawta Palace Hotel  Say'un

 1 Review and 10 Opinions  Al Hawta Palace Hotel is situated on the outskirts of Say'un and is set in lovely landscaped... 

 Hotels in Say'un

9 Hotels in Yemen
 
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Reviews and photos of Yemen attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Yemen sightseeing.

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Things to Do: Cities in Yemen
  1. Sanaa Things to Do
  2. Socotra Things to Do
  3. Shibam Things to Do
  4. Tarim Things to Do
  5. Al Mukalla Things to Do
  6. Say'un Things to Do
  7. Shaharah Things to Do
  8. Ma'rib Things to Do
  9. Ta`izz Things to Do
  10. Ibb Things to Do
  11. Zabid Things to Do
  12. Hababah Things to Do
  13. Al Hudaydah Things to Do
  14. Kawkaban Things to Do
  15. `Amran Things to Do
  16. Al Hajarayn Things to Do
  17. Manakhah Things to Do
  18. Thila Things to Do
  19. Rada` Things to Do
  20. Al Mahwit Things to Do
  21. Widn Dhahr Things to Do
  22. Shibam Things to Do
  23. Al Hajara` Things to Do
  24. Sif Things to Do
  25. Jiblah Things to Do
  26. Sana' Things to Do

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Popular Regions in Yemen

Muhafazat Hadramawt Things to Do  Aden Municipality Things to Do  Muhafazat al Hudaydah Things to Do  Muhafazat al Mahwit Things to Do 

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Questions and Answers

natykrishna profile photo

Q:  Hi, i want to travel to hodeidah and then to Mukalla.Can I get flight from hod to Mukalla and Mukalla to saana? 

Fluffy_bunny profile photo

A: The only domestic carriers are Yemenia and Felix. There are no direct connections from Hodeidah to Mukhalla. You'd have to go via San'a. Of note, San'a airport has closed... 

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