15 Best Things to Do in Yemen for Tourists

Yemen, an underrated and often overlooked country, but has a diverse history and culture that makes it a travel-worthy country. Located at the crossroads of Africa, Arabia, and Asia, Yemen has a heavy influence from Arab culture. From historical sites to natural wonders, Yemen can change your perspectives about the country and give unforgettable experiences.

This article will guide you with top things to do in Yemen by visiting their top-rated places. Though currently you will need some cautions and permissions to travel there due to their internal challenges.

Getting digital connections in every corner of Yemen can be easy with our eSIM’s Yemen reliable data plans, to travel to even their remote areas. We will assist with finding routes, alerting any local issue, translating local languages, and sharing photos online. Read on to know everything in more detail.

Old City of Sana’a

Sana’a is the capital of Yemen and its old towns are considered as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth. That is why it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. All of ancient history and cultural identities of Yemen are found here. So to know about Yemen better, this place should be at the top of your “things to do in Yemen” list.

To explore this place, you will have to walk around through its maze-like alleys, and then you will see the city’s iconic tower houses which were built from mud brick but decorated with white gypsum patterns. That is such an interesting and fascinating sight that attracts travellers worldwide. While walking, you can also interact with and see the daily lives of the local people. You will not get any vibrant vibes, but still everything will keep you mysterious. So this is a must see in Yemen.

Definitely visit the local souqs that are markets for buying spices and jewellaries. There will be no preserved monument because it is a living city. Though there is not much activity to do here, you can still enjoy a calm, quiet life. Hire a local tour guide to explore the city, understand their customs and architectural symbolism.

Visit here during cooler seasons (from October to March) otherwise you will get easily tired under the hot scorching sun.

Socotra Island

The island lies at the southeast of Yemen and it is an isolated island in the Indian Ocean. So this natural attraction of Yemen is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Because of this island, Yemen is internationally recognized, and so it tops “the things to do in Yemen” itinerary. It is said that over one-third of Socotra’s plant life is not found anywhere else on Earth. That is why this makes the place one of the top spots in Yemen.

You will find a unique and diverse ecosystem there. You can do adventurous things here like from finding Dragon’s Blood Trees to hiking limestone plateaus and exploring inside caves. You can also swim in turquoise coloured lagoons, and chill in the untouched natural seabeaches. You can also do eco-friendly camping. But you will see limited infrastructures.

October to April is when this island is mostly visited to avoid hot summer or wet moon times. Bring proper essentials like sunscreen and decent yet lightweight beach dresses. Respect and follow the local guidelines.

Rub’ al Khali

This is a desert area, located at the Eastern side of Yemen. This is the largest continuous sand desert in the world. It is also considered as one of Earth’s most extreme landscapes. So for the adventurers looking for “Yemen what to see” and “things to do in Yemen”, this is a must-visit place to enjoy desert exploration while having full silence and isolation.

You can do guided desert treks using desert bikes and also learn about the tradition and survival techniques of Bedouin, the indigenous people of Yemen. If you want, you can spend the nighttime here doing camps or just stargazing. As it is filled with sand, be careful if you have dust-allergy. Also, avoid it if you’re afraid to be lonely.

It is best to visit here during November to February, which is the cold season. Do not forget to visit here without a guide or someone who knows the local contexts.

Haraz Mountains

The hilly area is located at the west of Yemen. This is among Yemen’s most scenic regions so photography and nature lovers will enjoy visiting this photogenic area. This place is famous for steep cliffs and stone villages, and it is said that the villages started to grow directly out of the mountains. This creates a sense of mystery and so curious minded people should visit this one of the popular Yemen tourist attractions.

If you are looking for things to do in Yemen as hikers, then you can hike and trek here the mountain trails and get on the top to see viewpoints. You can also visit cliff-side villages, chat with them to know their local and ancient life stories.

Do not forget to be ready with cameras and photograph the iconic landscapes. Roads are narrow here so be careful while travelling, and so keep extra time in hand. Visit here during October to March for cooler weather and clearer views of the skies and mountains.

Shibam, Hadramaut

It is a town in Eastern Yemen, and is famous for having ancient mud-brick skyscrapers. The buildings are even 11-stored but they were built in the 16th Century. This is such a wonder for all, and that is why the town is preserved as a UNESCO heritage site. So it is among the famous Yemen tourism places.

Walk around the town to see clearly and learn about their early urban planning. They were way advanced in their engineering even back then! Nothing to do much here compared to other things to do in Yemen. But just see and get shocked seeing high-rise architecture. So wear comfortable shoes and keep sunscreen and water bottles to walk under the sun heat.

Visit here during cooler times for a stable temperature for walking.

Al-Mahwit Region

This is a governorate of Yemen. It is surrounded by mountain villages and ancient farming terraces. This is famous for having terraced agriculture and lush valleys. So it is an ideal place if you are looking for “what to see in Yemen” after completing visiting your top “things to do in Yemen” list.

Here you will see Yemen’s adaptation to mountainous terrain. Nothing much to do here, still you can visit here during Spring and winter times.

Aden

It is a port city of Yemen, located at their south coast. This is popular because the city was built around a volcanic crater. The city is filled with history like colonial architecture, and historic harbors. This was used to be an important refueling station on global trade routes. You will obviously find beaches in the port city. So it is also among the high demand Yemen tourist spots.

For history lovers, looking for things to do in Yemen, come here to walk around the city, to see its old architecture, landscapes to understand the historicity of the city. For relaxation time, you can just chill at the beaches. So bring appropriate gears accordingly.

Other things to do in Yemen

Outside the major cities, you will find rural areas of Yemen and so you can see the authentic and traditional Yemeni village life. You can then interact with locals, and even enjoy their handmade foods. They are very hospitable. Also, see different mosques and pray there inside if you are religious. For getting more local feels, visit different markets and cultural centers.

Travel Fearlessly and Stay Connected in Yemen with SimCorner

The moment you step in this old Islamic cultured country, you can get our SimCorner’s Yemeni eSIM options to get activated and start exploring. First you will need an initial wifi. Then get connected to our eSIM. No need to worry about paying any hidden fees or roaming charges to your homeland.

SimCorner allows you to choose eSIM or traditional SIM options to help you direct your paths for going from all the Yemen bucket list destinations, from deserts to mountains to markets. A high speed stable connection will give you the freedom to not only enjoy the journey, but also to digitally make your loved ones feel connected with you and see why Yemen is a travel-worthy country.

To get local tips, using translator apps, and getting notifications for any emergency issue, everything can be covered by our SimCorner SIM options. So just be busy exploring the rich cultural things of the country, and we will take care of the rest to give you the best memories of life.