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: 2026-08-21
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.047442
AAVE 0.000043
ADA 0.020593
AED 0.015491
AFN 0.278367
AGIX 0.067533
AKT 0.008041
ALGO 0.048084
ALL 0.334301
AMD 1.538022
AMP 10.586951
ANG 0.007609
AOA 3.871895
APE 0.031984
APT 0.007326
AR 0.002046
ARB 0.046218
ARS 6.315368
ATOM 0.002787
ATS 0.049648
AUD 0.005917
AVAX 0.000582
AWG 0.007550
AXS 0.004342
AZM 35.853377
AZN 0.007171
BAKE 5.637802
BAM 0.007057
BAT 0.063335
BBD 0.008436
BCH 0.000019
BDT 0.515952
BEF 0.145549
BGN 0.007057
BHD 0.001586
BIF 12.554577
BMD 0.004218
BNB 0.000006
BND 0.005359
BOB 0.048708
BRL 0.021913
BSD 0.004218
BSV 0.000261
BSW 11.295540
BTC 0.000000
BTG 0.008974
BTN 0.403816
BTT 14,886.970067
BUSD 0.004218
BWP 0.056694
BYN 0.012844
BYR 82.666563
BZD 0.008495
CAD 0.005810
CAKE 0.002550
CDF 9.669856
CELO 0.062294
CFX 0.093705
CHF 0.003371
CHZ 0.319495
CLP 3.892192
CNH 0.028359
CNY 0.028356
COMP 0.000222
COP 12.952869
CRC 1.917130
CRO 0.078592
CRV 0.014775
CSPR 1.600702
CUC 0.004218
CUP 0.111769
CVE 0.397861
CVX 0.002458
CYP 0.002112
CZK 0.087049
DAI 0.004218
DASH 0.000127
DCR 0.000343
DEM 0.007057
DFI 7.828702
DJF 0.751309
DKK 0.026973
DOGE 0.051355
DOP 0.246782
DOT 0.004988
DYDX 0.037157
DZD 0.560423
EEK 0.056454
EGLD 0.001412
EGP 0.214607
ENJ 0.160632
EOS 0.060350
ERN 0.063271
ESP 0.600330
ETB 0.687442
ETC 0.000605
ETH 0.000002
EUR 0.003608
EURC 0.003620
FEI 0.004217
FIL 0.005654
FIM 0.021453
FJD 0.009267
FKP 0.003091
FLOW 0.145154
FLR 0.606378
FRAX 0.004250
FRF 0.023667
FTT 0.019395
GALA 2.598409
GBP 0.003091
GEL 0.010969
GGP 0.003091
GHC 467.830248
GHS 0.046783
GIP 0.003091
GMD 0.312829
GMX 0.000607
GNF 37.082632
GNO 0.000034
GRD 1.229446
GRT 0.279023
GT 0.000586
GTQ 0.032196
GUSD 0.004224
GYD 0.883141
HBAR 0.056885
HKD 0.033082
HNL 0.113161
HNT 0.023176
HOT 11.930338
HRK 0.027185
HT 0.089706
HTG 0.552497
HUF 1.315669
ICP 0.001769
IDR 74.846342
IEP 0.002842
ILS 0.012661
IMP 0.003091
IMX 0.038139
INJ 0.000890
INR 0.403816
IQD 5.533630
IRR 5,797.519911
ISK 0.512358
ITL 6.986174
JEP 0.003091
JMD 0.668100
JOD 0.002991
JPY 0.670485
KAS 0.146528
KAVA 0.099366
KCS 0.000561
KDA 0.864132
KES 0.545947
KGS 0.369282
KHR 16.978613
KLAY 0.156303
KMF 1.775048
KNC 0.038703
KPW 3.795915
KRW 5.827599
KSM 0.001321
KWD 0.001300
KYD 0.003509
KZT 1.927797
LAK 95.053550
LBP 378.622998
LDO 0.012424
LEO 0.000454
LINK 0.000392
LKR 1.393359
LRC 0.519966
LRD 0.765871
LSL 0.067924
LTC 0.000088
LTL 0.012458
LUF 0.145549
LUNA 0.091117
LUNC 79.082180
LVL 0.002536
LYD 0.026745
MAD 0.039020
MANA 0.059819
MBX 0.198164
MDL 0.072502
MGA 18.042709
MGF 90.213547
MINA 0.089984
MKD 0.222477
MKR 0.000003
MMK 8.856698
MNT 15.181546
MOP 0.034074
MRO 1.684200
MRU 0.168420
MTL 0.001549
MUR 0.196762
MVR 0.065209
MWK 7.321565
MXN 0.071452
MXV 0.008124
MYR 0.017060
MZM 269.206097
MZN 0.269206
NAD 0.067924
NEAR 0.002388
NEO 0.002124
NEXO 0.005308
NFT 15,167.908032
NGN 5.695443
NIO 0.155313
NLG 0.007951
NOK 0.039365
NPR 0.646408
NZD 0.007071
OKB 0.000039
OMR 0.001623
ONE 5.652242
OP 0.043549
ORDI 0.001008
PAB 0.004218
PAXG 0.000001
PEN 0.014143
PEPE 1,308.825867
PGK 0.018917
PHP 0.260167
PI 0.046312
PKR 1.171744
PLN 0.015578
POL 0.052184
PTE 0.723351
PYG 25.431156
QAR 0.015354
QNT 0.000068
QTUM 0.005183
ROL 189.467770
RON 0.018947
RPL 0.002590
RSD 0.423342
RUB 0.349227
RUNE 0.009396
RVN 1.392562
RWF 6.207490
SAND 0.095721
SAR 0.015818
SBD 0.033805
SCR 0.059232
SDD 253.140454
SDG 2.531405
SEK 0.039947
SGD 0.005359
SHIB 849.690761
SHP 0.003091
SIT 0.864635
SKK 0.108696
SLE 0.096593
SLL 96.593350
SNX 0.019814
SOL 0.000048
SOS 2.411968
SPL 0.000703
SRD 0.159511
SRG 159.511244
SSP 23.704937
STD 89.136738
STN 0.089137
STX 0.028405
SUI 0.005697
SVC 0.036908
SYP 54.838298
SZL 0.067924
THB 0.138509
THETA 0.025946
TJS 0.039020
TMM 73.741303
TMT 0.014748
TND 0.012227
TOP 0.010158
TRL 202,682.428437
TRX 0.012474
TRY 0.202682
TTD 0.028613
TUSD 0.004225
TVD 0.005917
TWD 0.134335
TWT 0.010266
TZS 11.159425
UAH 0.188400
UGX 15.687848
UNI 0.001111
USD 0.004218
USDC 0.004218
USDD 0.004219
USDP 0.004224
USDT 0.004219
UYU 0.169248
UZS 49.959735
VAL 6.986174
VEB 327,841,998.994235
VED 3.269334
VEF 326,933.381548
VES 3.269334
VET 0.811295
VND 109.835214
VUV 0.500162
WAVES 0.020483
WEMIX 0.021205
WOO 0.363307
WST 0.011458
XAF 2.366731
XAG 0.000062
XAU 0.000001
XAUT 0.000001
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.011420
XCG 0.007609
XCH 0.002915
XDC 0.147142
XDR 0.003080
XEC 607.717807
XEM 9.194177
XLM 0.022812
XMR 0.000010
XOF 2.366731
XPD 0.000003
XPF 0.430556
XPT 0.000002
XRP 0.003284
XTZ 0.018825
ZAR 0.067924
ZEC 0.000007
ZIL 1.667630
ZMK 80.031964
ZMW 0.080032
ZWD 1.526510
ZWG 0.112329
ZWL 280.678415

No currencies match your search.

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.