Why visit
Yemen's Socotra island is an evolutionary island of dragon's blood trees found nowhere else, reached by limited charter flights. The mainland, with Sana'a's gingerbread towers and Shibam's mud skyscrapers, remains closed by war.
Country - Asia
Yemen
culturefoodhistory
How to use this result
Use it as a country shortlist
Yemen works best as a first-pass travel idea. Start with the region, season, and themes on this page, then compare flights, entry rules, safety guidance, and local transport before treating it as a real option.
Compare the capital and side trips
Use Sana'a as the administrative starting point, then check whether the strongest trip idea is actually the capital, a coastal area, a nature route, or another city in Yemen.
At a glance
Location
15.0°, 48.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
527,968 km²
203,850 mi²
Subregion
Western Asia
Currency
Yemeni rial (﷼)
YER
Dial
+967
Language
Arabic
Demonym
Yemeni
Internet
.ye
UN
Member state
ISO code
YE / YEM
Where in the world
15.0° - 48.0°
Yemen
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Yemen's old walled city of Shibam is called "Manhattan of the desert" for its 16th-century tower houses: a UNESCO site.
- Yemen is considered the likely homeland of coffee as a beverage: the port of Mocha gave the drink its name.
- The Socotra archipelago has plants and animals found nowhere else on earth: including the alien-looking Dragon Blood Tree.
Bordering Yemen
Traveler notes
- Socotra trips run via charter from Abu Dhabi with specialist operators
- A third of Socotra's plant species exist nowhere else
- Mainland travel is currently not realistic; check conditions
Plan checks
- Start research with the capital Sana'a, then compare two or three other regions.
- Check passport validity, visa rules, health requirements, and travel insurance for current conditions.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Yemen
What is the capital of Yemen?
Sana'a is the capital of Yemen.
What currency does Yemen use?
Yemen uses the Yemeni rial (﷼), ISO code YER.
What languages are spoken in Yemen?
The primary language is Arabic.
Is Yemen landlocked?
No, Yemen has a coastline.
What countries border Yemen?
Yemen borders Oman, Saudi Arabia.
What is the international calling code for Yemen?
The calling code is +967.
When is the best time to visit Yemen?
Oct–Apr (Socotra). Check current weather and local events before booking.
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