Middle East > Yemen

The climate varies according to the region: Hot weather and high humidity on the shores of the Red Sea, Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden, it is scorching hot in July/August in these areas. On the high and medium altitude plateaus there reigns a more temperate climate, rather humid in summer and dry in winter, with large temperature differences between day and night.

In the north and eastern areas you will find a desert climate, very hot and dry. The best times to visit the country are during April/May and September/October, thus avoiding the hot weather in summer and the cold nights of December.

Although it is little visited, Yemen is a surprisingly exotic destination: Wonderful landscapes, beautiful architecture, friendly people, ancient history, all those resources will surely surprise you.

Sanaa, an ancient city, has houses dating back over four centuries, a perfectly preserved Medina, a huge souk, and above all superb architecture, of which a beautiful example is the Al-Jami 'al-Kabir mosque, built in the year 630.

Marib is the most famous archaeological site in the country: Former capital of the kingdom of Saba, you can admire the ruins of the ancient dike and those of the temples, built in the 8th century BC

Shihara is especially notable for its situation at over 2,500 meters of altitude, making it very difficult to access, especially since the city is divided in two by a gorge which is crossed by a centuries old stone bridge.

You should also visit Rada to see its magnificent mosque, at the centre of the old town, with its very distinctive domes.

There are two weekly flights to Yemen from France and others from some of the major European capitals.
A visa is required to enter the territory.

The currency in circulation is the riyal. The standards of living in Yemen are quite low so the required budget is also quite low: You can eat for less than €10 per meal, and a double room will cost between €10 and €50 depending on your comfort requirements.

In relation to health, it is advisable to have your normal vaccinations up to date, as well as those against typhoid and hepatitis A. Do not drink tap water and avoid salads and raw vegetables. Protect yourself properly from the sun and dehydration. When staying on the coast, pay attention to mosquitoes that can transmit malaria.

For transportation within the country, buses and taxis are frequent and affordable. Airlines connect the big cities throughout the country.

Here are some examples of items to take home as souvenirs of your trip: Daggers, silver jewellery, straw hats, embroidered fabrics, hookahs, oil lamps, spices, incense and myrrh.

It should be noted that at present, the risk of kidnappings and attacks are increasing, the Foreign Office currently advises against travelling to Yemen.