The old City of Sana’a, Yemen is a World Heritage site and a unique living museum. It is without doubt the best preserved ancient Arab city.

Sana’a can stake a claim as being the oldest continuously inhabited City in the World. It is capital of Yemen, the biblical Sheeba. Many of the 6000 tower houses in the old city are four hundred years old built in the ornate style of over a thousand years ago. Parts of some of them date back one thousand years. They are up to nine stories high and are home to extended family groups.

The souk (market) as you enter by Bab al Yemen (Yemen gate) is among the most interesting in the Arab World.

Traditional Arab dress is worn by almost all Yemeni’s in the old city, including the Jambieh – a traditional dagger carried by the men in leather sheaves. Yemeni’s are proud of their traditions and culture.

There are a few souvenir shops aimed at tourists, but most of the shops sell to local people. Here you can but Arabian carpets, textiles, gold, silver and the traditional dagger.

It is also possible to buy Qat leaves, a stimulant that is chewed by many Yemeni men.

We stayed at the Sana’a Mercure hotel. Described as ‘mid range’ it is an economically priced hotel that is clean and basic, with helpful and friendly staff. We were attracted by the fact that it is walking distance from the old city.

Alcohol is not generally available in Yemen. However the authorities allow visitors to bring it in for their own use, and most hotels that visitors stay at sell alcohol - though the Mercure is not among them

Parts of Yemen are regarded as unsafe by the British Government because of tribal disputes. However Sana’a and the main tourist areas are safe to visit. We do recommend that you check that your travel insurance does not exclude Yemen

If you want to travel outside Sana’a we would suggest an escorted tour - contact us.

One possibility is to combine a short visit to Sana’a with a visit to Dubai, Cairo or Istanbul. Try a multi stop flight search on