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: 2026-05-19
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.045791
AAVE 0.000047
ADA 0.016668
AED 0.015391
AFN 0.261959
AKT 0.005199
ALGO 0.039027
ALL 0.343938
AMD 1.542339
AMP 5.008767
ANG 0.007550
AOA 3.849531
APE 0.029059
APT 0.004439
AR 0.001962
ARB 0.035857
ARS 5.850695
ATOM 0.002037
ATS 0.049536
AUD 0.005872
AVAX 0.000454
AWG 0.007501
AXS 0.003569
AZM 35.621639
AZN 0.007124
BAKE 5.668070
BAM 0.007041
BAT 0.043256
BBD 0.008382
BCH 0.000011
BDT 0.514977
BEF 0.145221
BGN 0.007041
BHD 0.001576
BIF 12.484598
BMD 0.004191
BNB 0.000007
BND 0.005364
BOB 0.029046
BRL 0.020995
BSD 0.004191
BSV 0.000279
BSW 4.896150
BTC 0.000000
BTG 0.010894
BTN 0.403944
BTT 13,025.869432
BUSD 0.004193
BWP 0.056974
BYN 0.011525
BYR 115.245598
BZD 0.008435
CAD 0.005761
CAKE 0.002964
CDF 9.617596
CELO 0.052080
CFX 0.071169
CHF 0.003293
CHZ 0.085234
CLP 3.775989
CNH 0.028514
CNY 0.028504
COMP 0.000190
COP 15.921300
CRC 1.897227
CRO 0.059970
CRV 0.017762
CSPR 1.418642
CUC 0.004191
CUP 0.100558
CVE 0.396964
CVX 0.002415
CYP 0.002107
CZK 0.087517
DAI 0.004193
DASH 0.000098
DCR 0.000249
DEM 0.007041
DFI 4.267709
DJF 0.745700
DKK 0.026901
DOGE 0.040180
DOP 0.248076
DOT 0.003356
DYDX 0.028973
DZD 0.556358
EEK 0.056327
EGLD 0.001069
EGP 0.223462
ENJ 0.097573
EOS 0.051806
ERN 0.062861
ESP 0.598978
ETB 0.659900
ETC 0.000471
ETH 0.000002
EUR 0.003600
EURC 0.003597
FEI 0.004207
FIL 0.004343
FIM 0.021404
FJD 0.009241
FKP 0.003124
FLOW 0.116137
FLR 0.501689
FRAX 0.004220
FRF 0.023614
FTT 0.012971
GALA 1.246394
GBP 0.003124
GEL 0.011196
GGP 0.003124
GHC 479.420046
GHS 0.047942
GIP 0.003124
GMD 0.309586
GMX 0.000633
GNF 36.760491
GNO 0.000035
GRD 1.226676
GRT 0.166625
GT 0.000591
GTQ 0.031948
GUSD 0.004200
GYD 0.876484
HBAR 0.046557
HKD 0.032819
HNL 0.111484
HNT 0.005089
HOT 10.562193
HRK 0.027124
HT 0.028900
HTG 0.548519
HUF 1.298113
ICP 0.001623
IDR 74.281806
IEP 0.002835
ILS 0.012163
IMP 0.003124
IMX 0.024618
INJ 0.000804
INR 0.403944
IQD 5.490994
IRR 5,524.101399
ISK 0.516227
ITL 6.970437
JEP 0.003124
JMD 0.662672
JOD 0.002971
JPY 0.666055
KAS 0.121268
KAVA 0.072767
KCS 0.000523
KDA 0.503814
KES 0.541943
KGS 0.366595
KHR 16.807879
KLAY 0.080568
KMF 1.771050
KNC 0.029188
KPW 3.771606
KRW 6.307838
KSM 0.000842
KWD 0.001290
KYD 0.003486
KZT 1.966434
LAK 91.922331
LBP 375.693348
LDO 0.011767
LEO 0.000415
LINK 0.000432
LKR 1.395686
LRC 0.258585
LRD 0.768078
LSL 0.069773
LTC 0.000077
LTL 0.012430
LUF 0.145221
LUNA 0.066212
LUNC 53.318210
LVL 0.002530
LYD 0.026611
MAD 0.038568
MANA 0.047551
MBX 0.107023
MDL 0.072522
MGA 17.535605
MGF 87.678024
MINA 0.073361
MKD 0.221843
MKR 0.000002
MMK 8.797444
MNT 14.998662
MOP 0.033804
MRO 1.675569
MRU 0.167557
MTL 0.001545
MUR 0.198152
MVR 0.064725
MWK 7.293847
MXN 0.072520
MXV 0.008206
MYR 0.016655
MZM 267.665867
MZN 0.267666
NAD 0.069773
NEAR 0.002597
NEO 0.001449
NEXO 0.004712
NFT 14,817.256020
NGN 5.745803
NIO 0.154043
NLG 0.007933
NOK 0.038864
NPR 0.646614
NZD 0.007158
OKB 0.000051
OMR 0.001612
ONE 2.044491
OP 0.032642
ORDI 0.001007
PAB 0.004191
PAXG 0.000001
PEN 0.014342
PEPE 1,137.983982
PGK 0.018515
PHP 0.258617
PI 0.027609
PKR 1.167572
PLN 0.015272
POL 0.046103
PTE 0.721721
PYG 25.506851
QAR 0.015254
QNT 0.000056
QTUM 0.004641
ROL 187.536668
RON 0.018754
RPL 0.002415
RSD 0.422522
RUB 0.303726
RUNE 0.009364
RVN 0.758277
RWF 6.127376
SAND 0.058193
SAR 0.015715
SBD 0.033552
SCR 0.061523
SDD 251.542665
SDG 2.515427
SEK 0.039431
SGD 0.005364
SHIB 727.060295
SHP 0.003124
SIT 0.862687
SKK 0.108452
SLE 0.095989
SLL 95.988927
SNX 0.013529
SOL 0.000049
SOS 2.394754
SPL 0.000698
SRD 0.156000
SRG 156.000398
SSP 19.757901
STD 89.149083
STN 0.089149
STX 0.017544
SUI 0.003961
SVC 0.036669
SYP 0.463229
SZL 0.069773
THB 0.136704
THETA 0.021227
TJS 0.039009
TMM 73.489706
TMT 0.014698
TND 0.012170
TON 0.002083
TOP 0.009970
TRL 191,029.641711
TRX 0.011749
TRY 0.191030
TTD 0.028426
TUSD 0.004196
TVD 0.005872
TWD 0.132586
TWT 0.008770
TZS 10.904457
UAH 0.184987
UGX 15.793723
UNI 0.001187
USD 0.004191
USDC 0.004192
USDD 0.004195
USDP 0.004196
USDT 0.004195
UYU 0.167981
UZS 50.423395
VAL 6.970437
VEB 216,799,213.660166
VED 2.167895
VEF 216,789.541541
VES 2.167895
VET 0.622135
VND 110.344545
VUV 0.497586
WAVES 0.011026
WEMIX 0.015514
WOO 0.248149
WST 0.011294
XAF 2.361399
XAG 0.000055
XAU 0.000001
XAUT 0.000001
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.011346
XCG 0.007550
XCH 0.001510
XDC 0.134812
XDR 0.003066
XEC 571.307665
XEM 6.296835
XLM 0.028546
XMR 0.000011
XOF 2.361399
XPD 0.000003
XPF 0.429586
XPT 0.000002
XRP 0.003032
XTZ 0.012256
ZAR 0.069773
ZEC 0.000007
ZIL 1.065927
ZMK 79.205445
ZMW 0.079205
ZWD 1.516638
ZWG 0.108584
ZWL 271.320582

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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.