Asia · Western Asia

Yemen

Republic of Yemen

Flag of Yemen
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+03:00
🏛️ Capital
Sana'a
👥 Population
32,684,503
📐 Area
527,968 km²
💱 Currency
Yemeni rial (﷼)
🗣️ Languages
Arabic
📞 Calling Code
+967
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+03:00
🌐 Region
Asia / Western Asia

About Yemen

Yemen is one of the Arabian Peninsula's most ancient and culturally profound destinations, a land where civilisation stretches back thousands of years and where the landscape itself seems to carry the weight of accumulated history. Before the devastating civil conflict that has gripped the country since 2015, Yemen captivated the rare travellers fortunate enough to visit with its extraordinary architectural heritage: the towering mud-brick skyscrapers of Sana'a, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth; the dramatic fortress city of Shibam in the Hadramawt Valley, whose 16th-century tower houses earned it the nickname "Manhattan of the Desert"; and the singular ecological wonder of Socotra Island, where evolution in isolation has produced a landscape that looks like nothing else on Earth.

The people of Yemen have historically been among the most hospitable in the Arab world, offering tea, qat-chewing sessions, and an openness to visitors that made travellers feel they had been welcomed into something genuine and rare. The country's geographical diversity is equally astonishing: from the Red Sea coast and the fertile Tihama coastal plain, through the cool green highlands of the Haraz Mountains where terraced villages cling to impossible cliff faces, to the vast and hauntingly beautiful Empty Quarter desert that merges into Saudi Arabia in the north. Coffee — the original Arabian coffee, from the historic port of al-Mokha — was first traded globally from Yemeni soil, a heritage the country carries with considerable pride.

It must be acknowledged honestly that Yemen is not currently a viable travel destination for most visitors. The ongoing civil war has caused catastrophic humanitarian suffering, destroyed much of the country's infrastructure, and created conditions that make independent travel extremely dangerous. The information here is offered in the hope of preserving and honouring Yemen's extraordinary cultural and natural heritage, and in the belief that one day, when peace is restored, this remarkable country will once again welcome the world. Until that day, Yemen stands as a reminder of how irreplaceable cultural heritage is and how much is lost when conflict tears through ancient civilisations.

History & Background

Yemen's history reaches back to some of the most ancient organised civilisations in the Arabian world. The Kingdom of Saba — identified by many scholars with the biblical Queen of Sheba — flourished from around 900 BCE, controlling the lucrative frankincense and myrrh trade routes that connected the Arabian Peninsula with the Mediterranean world. The Marib Dam, an extraordinary feat of ancient hydraulic engineering that irrigated vast agricultural lands in the desert interior, supported populations of hundreds of thousands and stood as one of the ancient world's great technical achievements. Its eventual collapse around the 6th century CE is recorded in the Quran and in South Arabian inscriptions as a defining moment in Yemeni memory.

Islam arrived in Yemen in 628 CE, and the country was among the first to embrace the new faith. Over the following centuries Yemen became a centre of Islamic scholarship, architecture, and trade — the port of Aden became one of the most important commercial hubs between the East and West, and the coffee trade from al-Mokha (Mocha) transformed global beverage culture. Ottoman rule in the 16th and 17th centuries left a complex architectural and cultural legacy, particularly in Sana'a, while British colonisation of Aden from 1839 created the division between North and South Yemen that persisted until unification in 1990. The current conflict, which began in 2014–2015 with the Houthi movement's takeover of Sana'a, represents the most severe rupture in this long and complex national story.

Culture & People

Yemeni culture is one of the Arab world's oldest and most distinctive, rooted in tribal structures and Islamic traditions that have shaped daily life for over a millennium. The country was the heartland of ancient South Arabian civilisations — the kingdoms of Saba (Sheba), Himyar, and Qataban — whose prosperity was built on the frankincense and myrrh trade and whose architectural legacies still stand in the desert. Yemeni architecture is celebrated worldwide: the multi-storey tower houses of Sana'a, decorated with elaborate alabaster fanlights and geometric plasterwork, represent one of the most distinctive vernacular building traditions in the world, and the UNESCO-listed old city of Sana'a contains over 6,000 of these extraordinary structures.

The tribal system remains deeply influential in Yemen, with hundreds of tribes maintaining distinct customs, dress codes, and social structures that cut across the national government's reach. The daily ritual of qat chewing — qat being a mild stimulant leaf grown widely in the Yemeni highlands — is perhaps the most universal social custom, with afternoon qat sessions providing the forum for political discussion, business negotiation, poetry recitation, and storytelling. Yemeni poetry has a particularly elevated status in the culture; improvised poetic duels (known as Balah or Zāmil) are a revered competitive art form. The country's musical traditions, particularly the lute-based songs of the Hadramawt and the Sana'ani muwashshah classical form, are of outstanding beauty and international significance.

Food & Cuisine

Yemeni cuisine is among the most distinctive and celebrated in the Arab world, characterised by bold spicing, slow-cooked meats, and bread-centred eating traditions that reflect both the country's agricultural heritage and its position on ancient trade routes. The most iconic Yemeni dish is saltah, the national dish — a hearty stew of meat, vegetables, and pulses finished with a frothy whipped fenugreek foam called hulba and served in a sizzling stone pot with flatbread for scooping. Mandi, tender slow-roasted lamb or chicken cooked in an underground tandoor pit over aromatic wood coals, is perhaps the most internationally recognised Yemeni dish and has spread throughout the Gulf states and diaspora communities worldwide.

Bread is the foundation of every Yemeni meal: lahoh, a spongy, slightly sour flatbread similar to Ethiopian injera, is eaten at breakfast with honey, clarified butter, and yoghurt; mulawwah, a flaky fried bread enriched with butter, is another beloved staple. Haradh, a Ramadan specialty of shredded flatbread soaked in broth with meat and eggs, and fahsa, a lamb and fenugreek stew cooked in clay, represent the extraordinary depth of a cuisine that remains little known internationally despite its quality. The coffee from the Haraz highlands and the famous Bani Matar region — qishr, made from coffee husks spiced with ginger, is the traditional Yemeni coffee drink — represents a heritage stretching back to the very origins of global coffee culture. Yemen's honey, particularly the prized Sidr honey from Hadramawt, is considered among the finest in the world.

Top Attractions

  • Old City of Sana'a — A UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary beauty, where thousands of decorated multi-storey mud-brick tower houses create one of the most visually stunning cityscapes in the Islamic world.
  • Shibam, Wadi Hadramawt — The "Manhattan of the Desert," where 16th-century mud-brick skyscrapers up to nine storeys high rise from the desert floor in a UNESCO-listed formation of stunning architectural ambition.
  • Socotra Island — A UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site of unparalleled ecological uniqueness, where dragon blood trees, bottle trees, and over 700 endemic plant species create an alien and magnificent landscape.
  • Marib — The ancient capital of the Sabaean Kingdom, site of the legendary Marib Dam and the Temple of the Moon God (Awam Temple), one of the most important archaeological sites in the Arabian Peninsula.
  • Shahara Bridge and Village — A 17th-century stone arch bridge connecting two mountain peaks in the Amran Governorate, with a dramatically sited hilltop village that exemplifies Yemeni highland architecture and engineering.

Practical Travel Tips

  • As of 2026, Yemen remains an active conflict zone — check your government's official travel advisory before making any plans and follow all guidance from authorities regarding safety and entry.
  • If travelling to Socotra Island, verify the current political and security situation carefully, as the island's status and accessibility have been subject to change during the ongoing conflict.
  • Historical travellers to Yemen emphasised the importance of local guides and tribal contacts — the country's social structure makes personal introductions and local networks essential for safe travel.
  • Learn basic Arabic phrases; Yemenis historically appreciated and responded warmly to visitors who made the effort to communicate in the local language.
  • Dress conservatively throughout Yemen — for women, loose-fitting clothing covering arms and legs and a headscarf are essential; for men, shorts are inappropriate outside of private settings.
  • The Yemeni rial has been subject to severe inflation during the conflict — carry US dollars or euros as they are more stable reference currencies in humanitarian and commercial contexts.

Visa Overview

Yemen's visa situation is currently complicated by the ongoing conflict and the presence of multiple competing authorities controlling different parts of the country. Prior to the conflict, most nationalities required a visa obtained in advance from a Yemeni embassy or consulate. Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council states could enter without a visa. All travellers must be aware that the security situation makes travel to most of Yemen extremely dangerous as of 2026, and most governments have issued "do not travel" advisories for the country. Any visa inquiries should be directed to the nearest Yemeni diplomatic representation, bearing in mind the limited functioning of normal government services.

Getting Around

Under normal circumstances, Yemen's main international airport at Sana'a and the southern hub at Aden connected the country to regional and international flights. Domestically, Yemenia Airlines provided inter-city air connections — important given the challenging terrain. Road travel through the highlands and wadis required 4WD vehicles and experienced drivers; many mountain routes were unpaved and remote. Public minibuses and shared taxis connected major towns. As of 2026, transport infrastructure has been severely disrupted by conflict. Visitors to any accessible areas, including Socotra, should arrange all transport through vetted local operators who understand current ground conditions.

Safety Notes

Yemen is classified as an extremely high-risk destination due to the ongoing civil war, which has involved aerial bombardment, ground fighting, landmines, and severe disruption to all public services. Most governments advise against all travel to Yemen, including Socotra Island. Kidnapping of foreigners has occurred in the past. Humanitarian workers operating in Yemen do so under strict security protocols. Any person considering travel to Yemen must conduct thorough due diligence, consult professional security advisors, and ensure comprehensive evacuation insurance and plans are in place. This is not a destination for independent tourism in current conditions.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Yemen.

Yemeni rial (YER) ﷼
Updated: 2026-10-06
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.040047
AAVE 0.000023
ADA 0.015712
AED 0.015548
AFN 0.273547
AKT 0.005532
ALGO 0.032966
ALL 0.347269
AMD 1.531669
AMP 6.602657
ANG 0.007613
AOA 3.878161
APE 0.026425
APT 0.005157
AR 0.000939
ARB 0.020767
ARS 6.434955
ATOM 0.002325
ATS 0.051947
AUD 0.006075
AVAX 0.000373
AWG 0.007578
AXS 0.003233
AZM 35.987293
AZN 0.007197
BAKE 16.494660
BAM 0.007383
BAT 0.040137
BBD 0.008467
BCH 0.000013
BDT 0.520454
BEF 0.152288
BGN 0.007383
BHD 0.001592
BIF 12.719944
BMD 0.004234
BNB 0.000005
BND 0.005417
BOB 0.050787
BRL 0.021163
BSD 0.004234
BSV 0.000212
BSW 10.288606
BTC 0.000000
BTCB 0.060595
BTG 0.006417
BTN 0.408209
BTT 11,388.108116
BUSD 0.004233
BWP 0.058270
BYN 0.012916
BYR 82.992811
BZD 0.008514
CAD 0.006041
CAKE 0.001731
CDF 9.784158
CELO 0.040710
CFX 0.077158
CHF 0.003521
CHZ 0.253099
CLP 4.119553
CNH 0.028379
CNY 0.028388
COMP 0.000173
COP 13.542211
CRC 1.937304
CRO 0.062346
CRV 0.011485
CSPR 1.659766
CUC 0.004234
CUP 0.101414
CVE 0.416282
CVX 0.001913
CYP 0.002209
CZK 0.092354
DAI 0.004235
DASH 0.000075
DCR 0.000230
DEM 0.007383
DFI 4.632354
DJF 0.753187
DKK 0.028215
DOGE 0.044651
DOP 0.253733
DOT 0.003422
DYDX 0.028977
DZD 0.569127
EEK 0.059068
EGLD 0.000947
EGP 0.221967
ENJ 0.127889
EOS 0.041662
ERN 0.063506
ESP 0.628126
ETB 0.688668
ETC 0.000477
ETH 0.000002
EUR 0.003775
EURC 0.003775
FEI 0.004236
FIL 0.003547
FIM 0.022446
FJD 0.009526
FKP 0.003204
FLOW 0.133812
FLR 0.587358
FRAX 0.004277
FRF 0.024763
FTT 0.016389
GALA 1.747432
GBP 0.003204
GEL 0.010989
GGP 0.003204
GHC 497.746398
GHS 0.049775
GIP 0.003204
GMD 0.313344
GMX 0.000482
GNF 37.223767
GNO 0.000035
GRD 1.286370
GRT 0.145403
GT 0.000378
GTQ 0.032309
GUSD 0.004242
GYD 0.883791
HBAR 0.042056
HKD 0.033224
HNL 0.113523
HNT 0.008159
HOT 9.244790
HRK 0.028444
HT 0.116077
HTG 0.553231
HUF 1.386800
ICP 0.001214
IDR 75.848491
IEP 0.002973
ILS 0.012947
IMP 0.003204
IMX 0.023090
INJ 0.000559
INR 0.408209
IQD 5.534933
IRR 7,614.495134
ISK 0.516932
ITL 7.309642
JEP 0.003204
JMD 0.669971
JOD 0.003002
JPY 0.669403
KAS 0.098686
KAVA 0.061071
KCS 0.000558
KDA 0.433644
KES 0.549577
KGS 0.370277
KHR 17.151326
KLAY 0.101654
KMF 1.857235
KNC 0.029558
KPW 3.810896
KRW 5.683645
KSM 0.000826
KWD 0.001309
KYD 0.003520
KZT 1.927533
LAK 94.999778
LBP 381.809839
LDO 0.009242
LEO 0.000476
LINK 0.000306
LKR 1.396425
LRC 0.412371
LRD 0.722483
LSL 0.070487
LTC 0.000061
LTL 0.013035
LUF 0.152288
LUNA 0.082907
LUNC 80.069564
LVL 0.002653
LYD 0.027164
MAD 0.042256
MANA 0.040941
MBX 0.143149
MDL 0.075878
MGA 18.748882
MGF 93.744409
MINA 0.031424
MKD 0.232270
MKR 0.000002
MMK 8.887362
MNT 15.221043
MOP 0.034221
MRO 1.695061
MRU 0.169506
MTL 0.001621
MUR 0.200689
MVR 0.065452
MWK 7.327884
MXN 0.076526
MXV 0.008699
MYR 0.017298
MZM 270.236515
MZN 0.270237
NAD 0.070487
NEAR 0.000810
NEO 0.001670
NEXO 0.004979
NFT 17,742.186112
NGN 5.597195
NIO 0.155646
NLG 0.008319
NOK 0.040635
NPR 0.653441
NZD 0.007564
OKB 0.000032
OMR 0.001629
ONE 0.028906
OP 0.031495
ORDI 0.000931
PAB 0.004234
PAXG 0.000001
PEN 0.014577
PEPE 978.937431
PGK 0.019074
PHP 0.266075
PI 0.048501
PKR 1.170631
PLN 0.016537
POL 0.038715
PTE 0.756843
PYG 24.733471
QAR 0.015411
QNT 0.000016
QTUM 0.004319
ROL 201.793073
RON 0.020179
RPL 0.002214
RSD 0.443404
RUB 0.359190
RUNE 0.005453
RVN 1.725577
RWF 6.240411
SAND 0.064383
SAR 0.015877
SBD 0.034161
SCR 0.059966
SDD 254.100957
SDG 2.541010
SEK 0.042527
SGD 0.005417
SHIB 723.252396
SHP 0.003204
SIT 0.904669
SKK 0.113729
SLE 0.097608
SLL 97.608439
SNX 0.016910
SOL 0.000035
SOS 2.408797
SPL 0.000706
SRD 0.159637
SRG 159.636677
SSP 24.245094
STD 93.145767
STN 0.093146
STX 0.011298
SUI 0.003547
SVC 0.037045
SYP 55.054722
SZL 0.070487
THB 0.142506
THETA 0.018284
TJS 0.038966
TMM 74.288989
TMT 0.014858
TND 0.012671
TOP 0.010197
TRL 208,196.731535
TRX 0.012599
TRY 0.208197
TTD 0.028666
TUSD 0.004237
TVD 0.006075
TWD 0.134556
TWT 0.007416
TZS 11.170249
UAH 0.190685
UGX 17.020257
UNI 0.000478
USD 0.004234
USDC 0.004235
USDD 0.004237
USDP 0.004259
USDT 0.004236
UYU 0.171027
UZS 49.801943
VAL 7.309642
VEB 368,642,248.041668
VED 3.686422
VEF 368,642.248042
VES 3.686422
VET 0.485154
VND 110.057662
VUV 0.508947
WAVES 0.014191
WEMIX 0.022108
WOO 0.309295
WST 0.011783
XAF 2.476313
XAG 0.000070
XAU 0.000001
XAUT 0.000001
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.011460
XCG 0.007613
XCH 0.002705
XDC 0.125985
XDR 0.003129
XEC 530.915814
XEM 6.743464
XLM 0.019617
XMR 0.000008
XOF 2.476313
XPD 0.000004
XPF 0.450491
XPT 0.000002
XRP 0.002818
XTZ 0.012672
ZAR 0.070487
ZEC 0.000003
ZIL 1.160219
ZMK 83.702550
ZMW 0.083703
ZWD 1.532191
ZWG 0.113344
ZWL 283.214708

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Cities in Yemen 300
Browse all cities and towns
'Adan 'Amran 'Ataq Aden Ahwar al-Bayda al-Ghaydah al-Hazm al-Hudaydah al-Marawi'ah al-Mukalla al-Mukha AlJeraf ash-Shahir az-Zaydiyah Bajil Bayt-al-Faqih Dhamar Dhi Sufal Habban Hajjah Hodaidah Ibb Ja'ar Jiblah Ma'rib Mahwit Qa'tabah Raydah Sa'dah Sahar Sanaa Sayyan Shaqra' Ta'izz Taiz Tuban Yarim Zabid Zinjibar أحور إب ال معوضة الأحد البريقة البيضاء التحيتا التربة الجبين الجديدة الجراحي الجمعة الجميمة (الحصن) الجول الحامي الحبيلين الحدية الحديدة الحرجة الحرف الحزم الحسينية الحشوة الحصن الحصون الحميدات الحوطة الخراب الخميس الخوخة الدريهمي الدمنة الراهدة الرباط الربوع الربوع الرضائي الرضمة الروض الروضة الروضة الرونة الريدة الشرقية الزاهر الزاهر الزهرة الزيدية السخنة السدة السرير السوادية السودة السوق الجديد السويداء السياني الشاهل الشحر الشغادرة الشقيراء الشواتي الصعيد الصفقين الصليف الصومعة الضالع الضليعة الطويلة العبر العدين العر العشة العقبة الحمراء العليب العنان العوابل العيص الغرفة الغيضة الغيل القارة القريشية القطن القطيع القفلة القلعة القناوص الكدن الكود الكيبنية اللحية المتون المحابشة المحجل المحفد المحويت المخا المخزن المدان المديد المراوعة المسراخ المسيمير المصلوب المصلى المغربة المفتاح المقد المكلا الملاح الملاحيط المنصورية المنقطع المنيرة الميفعة النادرة النشمة النضير باتيس باجل باقم بروم بضة بضة القبلية بلحاف بني بكر بيت السيد بيت الفقيه بيت عذاقة بيحان العليا تريم تعز ثمود ثوجان جاذب جبلة جبن جحانة جعار جول الريدة (ميفعة) حبابة حبان حبيل الريدة حجة حديبو حرض حريب حريضة حصن بني سعد حصوين حمام دمت حوث حورة حيب أصابح حيدان حيس حيفان خاو خمر خيران المحرق ذباب ذمار ذي السفال ذيبين رجوزة رحاب رحبة الكولة رداع رصد رضوم رماه ريدة زبيد زخم زراجة زنجبار ساقين ساه سوق الخميس سوق الخميس (مستباء) سوق سباح سوق صرواح سيئون سيان سيحوت شبام شبام كوكبان شحن شحير شرس شهارة صافر صبر صعدة صلاح الدين صناء صنعاء صيف ضوران ضوران الجديدة ظبة ظلمة حبيش ظليمة حبور عبس عتق عدن عزان عزلة الدير عزلة بيت مران عسيلان عمد عمران غيل باوزير غيمان قرن الأسد قرية الخيسا قرية بئر فقم قشن قصيعر قعطبة قلنسية كتاف كدمة السيد قاسم كسمة كشر كعيدنة كمران لودر مأرب مافود ماوية مبين متنة مجز مجزر مدغل مديرية المتون مدينة صنعاء مدينة لبعوس مركز مذيخرة مشاط معبر مفحق مفرق الوديعة مقبنة مكيراس ملاح مناخة مودية موزع ميدي نجد الجماعي نجرة (محمود) نشطون نصاب نعمان هجرة قطابر وضرة وعلان يريم يفرس

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Yemen needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Yemen?
The capital of Yemen is Sana'a.
What currency does Yemen use?
Yemen uses the Yemeni rial (﷼) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Yemen?
The official language(s) of Yemen include Arabic.
What is the population of Yemen?
Yemen has a population of approximately 32,684,503 people.
What region is Yemen in?
Yemen is located in Asia, specifically in the Western Asia subregion.
What is the international calling code for Yemen?
The international dialing code for Yemen is +967.
What time zones does Yemen observe?
Yemen observes the following time zone(s): UTC+03:00.
What is the current time in Yemen?
The local time in Yemen is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Yemen?
Yemen covers a total area of 527,968 km².
How many states or provinces does Yemen have?
Yemen is divided into 37 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Yemen in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Yemen in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Yemen?
Visa requirements for citizens of Yemen vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.