Top 10 Attractions in Yemen

Yemen is a land where the legendary and mysterious Queen of Sheba ruled many centuries ago. A large territory of the state is occupied by an endless desert without a hint of vegetation and mountain ranges, where it has not rained for years. Most Yemeni resorts are places associated with ancient history. The city of Marib was the capital of the Sabaean kingdom that existed during the time of King Solomon, the capital of the country, the city of Sana, according to legend, was founded by the beloved son of the builder of the Ark, Noah.

In Yemen, resorts located on the slopes of the Kharaz mountain range are also attractive for tourists. Here you can enjoy the views of the harsh and laconic nature of the south of the Arabian Peninsula. The pearl of the country is the unique island of Socotra, where, thanks to an isolated ecosystem, bizarre forms of flora and fauna have been preserved. It is better to plan a trip to Yemen with a reliable tour operator, since after the 2011 revolution, unrest has not yet subsided in the state.

What to see in Yemen?

The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a brief description.

City of Sana'a

The capital of Yemen, according to some travelers, is the most beautiful city in the Arab world. Centuries-old buildings of the Middle Ages coexist here with the palaces of the nobility and imams of the 19th century. and luxurious mosques. The walls of the houses are decorated with white figurative painting, which makes the city blocks seem to be dressed in flying lace.

Shibam city

It is called the "Manhattan of the Desert" due to the high-rise buildings built in the 16th century. Shibam has 506 identical eleven-story buildings made of raw brick, straw and clay. The buildings are located a few meters apart and are connected by balconies, the thickness of the walls of the first floors is more than one meter.

National Museum of Yemen

Previously, it was the palace of the Sultan of Lahej in the city of Aden. It is the city's main architectural landmark. This is an impressive and large-scale building in the style of Yemeni architecture, impressive in its size. The exposition of the museum presents ancient precious coins, documents, household items, antique jewelry.

Al Saleh Mosque

The mosque was built at the expense of the President of Yemen and named after him. It is a magnificent building richly decorated inside and out, which can accommodate 45,000 parishioners at the same time. In the evenings, spectacular illumination in yellow and blue colors turns on on the territory, which distinguishes the mosque from the surrounding landscape.

Dar al-Hajar Palace

An unusual historical monument, a palace standing on a rock. The exact date of the appearance of the structure is not known, but there is an assumption that it was erected before the rise of Islam. In the middle of the XX century. The palace served as the residence of the ruling Imam Yahya bin Mohammed Hamid-ad-Din, now there is a museum.

Rub al Khali desert

One of the hottest and largest deserts in the world - almost 1000 km. long and 500 wide. During the day, the red-orange sands heat up to 70 degrees. This desert is impenetrable and almost lifeless, but in ancient times there were several prosperous cities on its territory.

Camaran Island

An island in the Red Sea, one of the country's tourist centers. A picturesque and quite safe place, a real paradise for divers. The population is just over 2,000 people, almost all residents are employed in the tourism sector. On Camaran you can see wild forests, impressive coral reefs and unusual marine life.

Jambia Market

A specialized market in the city of Sana'a where ceremonial knives are made and sold. A richly decorated figured knife is a symbol of Yemen, many rituals, ceremonies and dances are accompanied by a demonstration of blades. All Yemenis are not indifferent to edged weapons, many keep collections at home. In the Jambia market you can buy a real collector's knife.

Bridge in Shikhara

Bridge of the 17th century, thrown over a 300-meter gorge. It connects two parts of the almost impregnable highland village of Shikhara. It is depicted on Yemeni 10 rial coins. The structure is an attractive attraction for tourists, as many do not understand what kind of force still holds it over the gorge.

Socotra Island

In Sanskrit, it means "Island of Happiness". A unique piece of land with bizarre nature, a real find for scientists and eco-tourists. Unusual trees grow on Socotra called "dragon's blood", which look like giant mushrooms with a base of intertwined thick branches and a green hat. It is they who create the unusual appearance of Socotra.