Yemen Travel Guide

You would not be the first to visit Yemen - the Queen of Sheba, Cain and Abel have all been here before! You would however be one of the few visitors in this mysterious and unspoilt country each year to see the mud-brick tower houses sprouting out of mountainside, to smell the frankincense and myrrh which permeates the bustling souks and to witness the ethereal landscapes, from prehistoric islands to vast deserts and mountain villages shrouded in clouds. Oh, and there are endless beaches, coral reefs and a guarantee of sun too!

Since 2008, Yemen has had four World Heritage Sites; no other country in Arabia has more. Moreover, in addition to being extremely hospitable and generous, Yemenis maintain strong and rich traditions, lending soul and authenticity to the dazzling display of culture.

Mainland Yemen with its pristine and diverse landscapes offers boundless opportunities for nature-based activities, including hiking in mountains, horse riding, trekking in deserts and diving. Perhaps the jewel in the crown however is the Socotra Archipelago. It has often been described as the ‘Galapagos of the Indian Ocean’, this isolated and remote archipelago in the Indian Ocean is of international importance because of its biodiversity, much of which is unique. With 825 species of coral, 730 species of fish and 300 species of lobster and crab, Socotra is a naturalist’s paradise.

Whilst some areas of Yemen are still recovering from recent conflict, the country is open for business with new and effective security arrangements in place for visitors. Yemen has kept its identity with an unbelievable range of natural and cultural treasures this unique travel destination offers an exceptionally diverse vacation to the traveler.

• Aden
• al-Mukalla

• Sanaa
• Thila