Visa
For mainland Yemen, you will need to be on a guided tour with a sponsor in the country. In addition to this, you will also have to show a health certificate proving you don’t have any communicable diseases. Check out full details on our Yemen visa page .
Getting in and out
Land
It is no longer possible to cross into Yemen via land for foreigners. There have been some people that have crossed the border from Oman recently, however this only grants you access to the first small town over the border. You are not permitted to properly enter Yemen from this land border.
Air
It is now only possible to fly to Yemen from Cairo or Jeddah directly into Seiyun in the Hadramout region of eastern Yemen. This is with Yemenia and can be booked directly through us. It is still not possible for foreigners to fly directly into the capital Sana’a.
See and Do
While it is still not possible to visit Sana’a and the western region, the east of Yemen has some true gems to showcase. The geological beauty of Wadi Do’an and the coloured buildings are a must see.
The highlight of this region is the town of Shibam which showcases mudbrick sky scrapers giving rise to its name as the "Mahattan of the desert".
Shibam
Often referred to as the "Manhattan of the Desert", Shibam is a marvel of ancient urban planning. This mudbrick city in the Hadramaut Valley is home to high-rise buildings that date back to the 16th century, standing as some of the oldest skyscrapers in the world. The city’s architecture is a testament to the ingenuity of the Yemeni people, and it’s a great example of how traditional building techniques were used to adapt to the harsh desert climate. Shibam is a UNESCO World Heritage site and offers a unique glimpse into the past.
Seiyun
Seiyun, located in the heart of Yemen's Hadramaut Valley, is a fascinating city that offers a unique mix of history and architecture. Known as the "capital of the Hadramaut", Seiyun is famous for its tall, narrow mudbrick buildings, which have a distinctive architectural style that reflects the region's rich cultural heritage. The Al-Qal’a Castle is a must-see, perched above the city and offering panoramic views of the surrounding valley. Seiyun is also home to the Seiyun Museum, which houses a collection of historical artifacts from the region. With its blend of traditional and modern elements, Seiyun offers a glimpse into Yemen's past while maintaining a lively, vibrant atmosphere.
Wadi Sah
Wadi Sah, located in the Hadramaut region, is one of Yemen's most striking natural wonders. This wide, lush valley is surrounded by towering mountains, offering a breathtaking landscape of dramatic cliffs and winding rivers. The area is known for its terraced farming, where local farmers have cultivated the land for centuries. Wadi Sah is not just a beautiful escape into nature; it also has a deep cultural significance for the people of the Hadramaut. The valley is home to several traditional villages where life continues much as it has for generations, with homes built from mud and stone, blending harmoniously into the landscape.
Wadi Dawan
Wadi Dawan, also located in the Hadramaut region, is another beautiful valley that showcases Yemen’s natural beauty. This lush, green oasis in the heart of the desert is known for its fertile land, where locals grow a variety of crops, including dates, wheat, and vegetables. The valley is surrounded by high cliffs and rocky mountains, creating a dramatic backdrop to the fertile plains below. Wadi Dawan is home to several ancient villages, with traditional architecture that has been passed down through the generations. The valley’s tranquility and natural beauty make it a perfect spot for hiking, exploration, and a deeper understanding of rural life in Yemen.
Al Hawta
Al Hawta, located in the Shabwa Governorate of southern Yemen, is a historic town known for its beautiful architecture and traditional culture. The town is situated in a valley surrounded by rugged mountains, creating a stunning landscape. Al Hawta is famous for its ancient mosques and fortresses, which showcase the region's long history as an important center for trade and culture. The area has a rich Islamic heritage, with several historical buildings that date back centuries. The traditional houses in Al Hawta, made from mudbrick and stone, are beautifully preserved and offer a glimpse into the traditional way of life in Yemen.
Why visit
Yemen is considered the cradle of Arab civilisation with both the Arabic language and many cultural practices tracing their routes back here. This is even the place where coffee was supposedly first farmed for humans!
While it’s not possible to visit the whole country at the moment because of civil unrest, Yemen is considered one of the most beautiful countries on the Arabian Peninsula. The Hadramout region which is available to intrepid tourists has some epic scenery and is where you can find the amazing Manhattan of the Desert where mudbrick sky scrapers dot the rocky mountainous desert skyline of Shabam.
Yemenis are considered extremely hospitable and open to people visiting even in the current climate. In addition to this, Yemeni food is some of the best in the region and that for us is reason alone to visit!
Rules
The main rules when travelling in Yemen are to dress conservatively, don’t photograph sensitive areas, and always listen to your local guide. If your guide says that it’s time to move somewhere on short notice, you cannot argue as they know the areas well and are probably doing so to avoid harm.
Yemen is also a conservative Islamic country, which means that men interacting with women and vice versa, is frowned upon, unless you are related to or know them well already. Men and women should also never touch each other even with simple gestures such as handshakes.
Dress code
Yemen is a conservative Islamic country, which means for men you should be wearing long pants/trousers and women, you should have your head covered. For women an abaya is also recommended as cover for your body – whilst it’s not required to wear an abaya as such, it’s a very easy, convenient and relatively comfortable way to adhere to the clothing requirements.
Light cool clothing is recommended as the climate is always warm along the coast.
There is also the opportunity when traveling in Yemen to dress in local clothes. These are often more comfortable for travellers as they are both suitable for the climate and they are conservative in nature.
Men in Yemen often wear a thawb-like white dress, similar to what you find in other parts of the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia or other Gulf States. Yemenis will often wear this with a large belt (which sometimes will have a decorative knife on it). Yemenis will often wear a headdress which is either a scarf wrapped around or an alquaweq which is a more formal style of cloth hat usually worn by wealthier Yemenis. Yemenis will also wear a suit jacket over the traditional dress, especially in more formal settings.
Topics of discussion
While in Yemen, feel free to discuss all kinds of topics with both your Saiga and local Yemeni guide. Feel free to ask about the current situation and to talk about the conflict in general, but just be aware that some people you talk to may not want to talk about it.
When discussing international politics, this is best not done in public as many people may have differing opinions and they may get upset if you disagree. The current conflict although it is relaxing as of recent is still an active conflict and so it is best to stay out of it.
Religion
Yemen is 99% Muslim, the majority of which are Shia, with a total of 65% of the population, most of which are found in the populated areas in the north and around the capital. 34% of the population are also Sunni Muslim, most of which are found in the southeast of the country.
Yemen is considered one of the top countries in the world where Christians face extreme persecution. The last estimates of the country’s Christian population were between 25,000 and 41,000, as of 2015.
There are also estimated to be around 50 Jewish people remaining in the country. According to a UN report there is currently only one official Jewish person living in the country. If there are others, they are Muslim on paper, but continue to practice Judaism in secret.
Politics
We think it’s safe to say you have heard Yemen mentioned on the news once or twice. Yemen is currently split into 3 main areas. Hadramout, bordering Oman is considered the safest part and has some of the best tourist spots (this is also where our Yemen tour goes). The southern coast and Aden which is administered mainly by the UAE government as is Socotra. The remaining region where Sana’a the capital is, is run by the Houthis. This is the most populaous area of the country, however is considered one of the more unstable regions for tourists to visit and so at this point it is not advised to attempt going there.
Ethnicity
The people of Yemen are almost all Arabs, with some small minority groups. In fact, Yemen is considered the birthplace of Arabs and the Arabic language. The Qahtanite Arabs who are considered to be one of the original Arabic tribes has its origins in Yemen, which has led to them being deemed the ‘original’ Arabs.
Most migrant workers and minority groups have departed from Yemen, such as Yemenite Jews and migrant workers from South and Southeast Asia, who were mostly found in the port city of Aden.
Yemen still remains a very tribal society and each person will still have an affiliation with their family’s tribe, similar to Saudi Arabia.
Photography
Photography in Yemen is no issue, and the country has a lot on offer in terms of both natural and man-made beauty that you will want to snap a photo of. However, some things are considered sensitive and should not be photographed.
Anything to do with the military or any checkpoints are strictly off limits to photos and can cause big issues for you and the group if you get caught. This rule is pretty stock standard to most countries though, and shouldn’t be a surprise for anyone travelling to Yemen. However, that doesn’t mean it goes without saying – it definitely still needs to be said!
Photographing women is also considered off limits especially, for men, not surprisingly. If females want to take photos with other females that is not an issue. Just as always, interact with the people, ask their permission, and don’t push it if they’re not comfortable – just like we want in return.
Hotels
Hotels in Yemen range from cheap basic guesthouses to nicer resort hotels. The resort style hotels aren’t going to be as flash as Saudi or Dubai, but they will offer amazing views a bed and some great food. Overall accommodation is more on the basic side however it is still quite nice, just don’t be expecting the Ritz!
Nightlife
Yemen is a dry country, so nightclubs and bars are not a thing, however just like with many of the surrounding Arab countries there is a culture of staying up late drinking coffee, smoking shisha and chewing qat.
Shopping
The main thing you will probably want to grab while in Yemen is some of the local clothes as well as the traditional ornamental knife worn by the men. Yemen is also a great place to pick up local coffee and dates which are some of the best in the entire world!
When is the best time to visit?
Yemen gets extremely hot. The country is located at the end of the Arabian pennisula, and is also in the tropics, meaning all the country knows is hot! In the mountains it can get to as low as 15 degrees Celcius in winter, making this the time to visit Yemen. Yemen's winter runs from November to February.
What to eat?
Yemen has some of the best cuisine in the region, and if you’re outside the country in other parts of the Middle East it’s not uncommon to find Yemeni restaurants. From amazing oven cooked flat breads to deep green chilli sauces and slow cooked meats, Yemeni food is a true highlight to any trip. For more details and information on specific dishes check out our Yemen food and drink page .
