INTERESTING PLACES
Yemen
Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, is a 2500-year-old city, and it was declared a World Heritage City in 1984. It is a major tourist destination in the country, famous for its beautiful age old fortifications. Some of the buildings will simply fill the onlooker with awe for its creators. The city is home to beautiful mosques inscribed with quotes from the Holy Quran.
Aden is known for its beautiful natural harbour and picturesque landscape. It is also known for its numerous architectural wonders, lovely beaches, mosques, museums and so forth.
Tourists can visit one of the many islands in the country. These islands include Hanish Islands, Kamaran, Perim and Socotra. Socotra Islands houses some very rare and beautiful animals, birds and trees, and it would be a perfect place for those who are fond of wildlife.
Some local products worth taking home are exquisitely carved daggers, leather and silver pouches being local specialities.
Sanaa
In Sanaa there are more than 50 mosques, five with domes and many with minarets. The most important one is surely the Great Mosque, built during the life of Prophet Mohammed and ordered by him in the Eighth Hegira year 630 AD.
Walking through the over 700 years old Liberty Gate, formerly known as Bab Al-Yemen, the gateway to the Old City section, identified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Worth a visit is also the wonderful Suq al-Milh (Salt Market), a big 1000 years old market with spices, antiques, handicrafts, silverware and a host of other goods.
The National Museum, which displays collections of ancient Yemeni writings, coins, jewellery and traditional costumes.
The Old Town is full of impressive historic buildings made of alabaster and gypsum, just waiting to be admired.
The National Museum in Crater is an interesting archaeological site with remarkable architecture. The museum was a Sultan’s palace and is an exciting place for history lovers. It houses colonial artefacts and offers visitors a chance to explore the bygone era.
The Crater is the most ancient part of the city and is situated on an extinct volcano. It is the site where most of the old constructions of Aden are found. Also the Maallah district is home to the beautiful traditional boats of the region.
Al-Tawahi, or Steamer Point, is a calm place which is spacious and has pleasant climate. The restaurants located here have a colonial feel to them which makes the place worth a visit for relaxation and recreation.
Siral Island is an ancient fort used for defence purposes. Although it is a military site, the view from the area is spectacular.