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Travel Guide
Visiting Yemen
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Do Not Travel
UK FCDO: Regional escalation Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption. British nationals should: read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad - GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis” follow advice from the local authorities and sign up to receive information and alerts monitor local and international media for the latest information stay aw
Updated 2026-03-09
Discover
Top Attractions in Yemen
The most iconic and unmissable experiences this country has to offer.
UNESCO World Heritage
Old City of Sana'a
Inhabited for more than 2,500 years, this UNESCO World Heritage walled city is a dense cluster of multi-storey tower houses built from rammed earth, brick, and decorative gypsum. At its heart stands the Great Mosque of Sana'a, recognised as one of the first mosques built outside Mecca and Medina, while gates such as Bab al-Yemen open onto the bustling souqs. Wandering the lanes, you see a living example of early Islamic urban architecture preserved almost intact.
UNESCO World Heritage
Socotra Archipelago
This UNESCO-listed group of islands in the Arabian Sea is one of the most biologically distinctive places on Earth, with hundreds of plant, reptile, and snail species found nowhere else. You can walk among otherworldly landscapes of limestone plateaus, white dunes, and turquoise lagoons fringed by coral reefs. Its long isolation has given Socotra an ecosystem so unusual that it is often compared to a separate world.
Wise
Your bank marks up every USD you spend in Yemen. Wise doesn't.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free ATM withdrawals up to your limit
- Pay in local currency at the real rate
4.8 ★ App Store·4.8 ★ Google Play
Airalo eSIM
Your phone plan was built for home. This one was built for Yemen.
- No SIM swapping
- No data roaming charges
- Active in minutes
4.7 ★ App Store·4.6 ★ Google Play
Health & Safety
Health & Emergency Info
Before You Travel
Before you travel check that: your destination can provide the healthcare you may need you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. Emergency medical number Call 191 and ask for an ambulance. Due to the current conflict, emergency services may not be able to respond. It may be better to make your own way to hospital if you can. Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment. Vaccine recommendations and health risks At least
Full health advice (FCDO) →Emergency Numbers
Police194
Ambulance191
Fire191
Health information sourced from UK FCDO. Always consult a travel health professional before departure.
Practical Info
Travel Essentials
Travel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Yemen
Most governments advise against all travel to Yemen due to the ongoing armed conflict, which has caused a severe humanitarian crisis since 2015. The situation remains extremely dangerous throughout most of the country. Check your government's official travel advisory and the Yemen page at Yoogo before making any plans.
Yemen uses the Yemeni rial (YER). The currency and banking system have been severely disrupted by the conflict. Conditions on the ground change frequently and vary by region and controlling authority.
Yemen has been in the grip of a devastating civil war since 2015, with multiple armed factions controlling different parts of the country. Airstrikes, ground combat, landmines, kidnapping, and terrorism make travel anywhere in Yemen extremely dangerous. Most governments issue 'do not travel' advisories for the entire country.
Yemen was once one of the Arabian Peninsula's most remarkable destinations, with the ancient Old City of Sana'a (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the island of Socotra with its unique dragon blood trees, and the mud-brick tower houses of Shibam. These extraordinary cultural and natural assets remain, though access is currently impossible for most visitors.
Before the conflict, October to April was the most comfortable time to visit, with milder temperatures than the intense summer heat. The southern highlands and Socotra were accessible during the winter months when weather conditions permitted.
Arabic is the official language. Modern Standard Arabic is used in formal contexts, while Yemeni Arabic dialects are spoken in daily life. English is rarely spoken outside some urban professional and academic circles.
The conflict has devastated Yemen's public health infrastructure. Consult a travel health clinic if considering travel. Cholera, which saw large outbreaks during the conflict, and other infectious diseases pose elevated risks. Yellow fever vaccination is required if arriving from an endemic country. Medical care is extremely limited and unreliable across most of the country.
Historically, tipping was not a formal custom in Yemen, though small tips for guides, drivers, and hotel staff were appreciated. Hospitality is deeply embedded in Yemeni culture, and guests are traditionally welcomed warmly.
Mobile networks are severely disrupted across Yemen. Connectivity varies dramatically by region and controlling authority. Internet access is extremely restricted and unreliable. Communication infrastructure has been extensively damaged by the conflict.