Yemen

Yemen is the Arabian Peninsula's hidden treasure — a land the ancient Romans called "Arabia Felix" (Fortunate Arabia) for its legendary wealth from frankincense and myrrh. This is where the Queen of Sheba once ruled, where the world's first skyscrapers rose from desert wadis, and where one of Earth's most alien landscapes — the island of Socotra — harbors species found nowhere else on the planet.

Sana'a's Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features tower houses that have stood for over a thousand years, their intricate gingerbread facades and stained-glass windows creating one of the world's most extraordinary urban landscapes. In Shibam, the "Manhattan of the Desert," 16th-century mud-brick skyscrapers rise dramatically from the Hadramaut valley floor. Yemen's landscapes range from the terraced mountains where coffee was first cultivated to the volcanic lunar scapes of Socotra's dragon blood trees.

The name "Yemen" (اليمن, al-Yaman) likely derives from the Arabic root meaning "right" or "south" — as Yemen lies to the right when facing east from Mecca. Another theory connects it to "yumn" meaning "blessed" or "fortunate." The ancient Sabaean, Minaean, and Himyarite kingdoms that flourished here controlled the lucrative incense trade routes, making southern Arabia fabulously wealthy.

Yemenis maintain a distinct identity shaped by their ancient heritage. The northern highlands were never colonized, preserving tribal traditions and unique architecture. The south, centered on Aden, experienced British rule (1839-1967) and later became the only Marxist state in the Arab world. North and South Yemen unified in 1990, though regional tensions persist.

Yemen occupies the southwestern corner of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by Saudi Arabia and Oman. Its diverse geography includes the dramatic western highlands rising to over 3,600 meters, the arid Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter) desert in the east, fertile coastal plains along the Red Sea (Tihama), and the spectacular Hadramaut valley system in the south.

The island of Socotra, 350 km off the mainland, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site often called the "Galápagos of the Indian Ocean." Its 700 million years of isolation created extraordinary endemic species including the iconic dragon blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari) and bizarre cucumber trees. Over a third of Socotra's plant species exist nowhere else on Earth.

Yemen's history stretches back over 3,000 years to the great incense kingdoms of antiquity. The Sabaean Kingdom (1200 BCE - 275 CE), associated with the legendary Queen of Sheba (Bilqis), built the engineering marvel of the Marib Dam and controlled the lucrative frankincense trade. The Romans paid vast sums for Arabian incense used in temples, funerals, and perfumes throughout the ancient world.

Islam arrived in 630 CE during Prophet Muhammad's lifetime. Yemen subsequently fragmented into competing dynasties and tribal territories. The Rasulid Dynasty (1229-1454) brought a golden age, establishing Yemen's coffee trade through the port of Mocha (al-Mukha) — the origin of the word "mocha." The Ottoman Empire controlled the coast while the Zaidi imamate ruled the highlands until 1962.

The 20th century saw Yemen divided: the British-controlled South achieved independence in 1967, becoming the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (the Arab world's only Marxist state), while the North remained under republican rule after a civil war. Unification in 1990 proved unstable, and conflict has devastated the country since 2014.

Sana'a's Old City is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited places, with roots stretching back over 2,500 years. According to legend, it was founded by Shem, son of Noah. The UNESCO World Heritage Site contains over 6,000 traditional tower houses, their distinctive brown and white facades decorated with intricate geometric patterns and crowned with stained-glass fanlights called "qamariyya" that flood interiors with colored light.

The tower houses rise 5-9 stories, an extraordinary feat of mud-brick architecture. Each floor served a specific purpose: stables and storage below, then living quarters, guest rooms (mafraj) with the best views at top. The Great Mosque of Sana'a, founded during Prophet Muhammad's lifetime, contains ancient manuscripts and architectural elements from pre-Islamic temples.

At 2,300 meters elevation, Sana'a enjoys a temperate climate unusual for Arabia. The souqs of Bab al-Yemen offer silver daggers (jambiya), spices, frankincense, and qat — the mildly stimulant leaf Yemenis chew socially each afternoon.

Rising from the floor of the Hadramaut Valley, the walled city of Shibam presents an astonishing silhouette: approximately 500 mud-brick tower houses reaching up to 11 stories, creating the world's oldest example of vertical urban planning. Dating primarily from the 16th century, these "world's first skyscrapers" earned Shibam its UNESCO World Heritage status and the nickname "Manhattan of the Desert."

The towers were built closely together for defense and to minimize sun exposure. Constructed entirely of sun-dried mud bricks, they require constant maintenance — whitewashing the upper stories reflects sunlight while the lower portions remain natural brown. The engineering that allowed such heights in mud brick represents remarkable building knowledge passed down through generations.

Socotra is Earth's most otherworldly landscape. Separated from mainland Africa 6 million years ago, this UNESCO World Heritage Site evolved in isolation, creating flora and fauna found nowhere else. The iconic dragon blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari), with its umbrella-shaped canopy and blood-red sap used since ancient times for medicine and dye, has become a symbol of the island's uniqueness.

Over 700 species are endemic to Socotra, including the grotesque-looking cucumber tree, the rare Socotran pomegranate, and frankincense trees. The island's white sand beaches, towering limestone cliffs, and turquoise lagoons add spectacular natural beauty to its botanical wonders. The indigenous Socotri people speak a language so ancient it preserves words from long-dead South Arabian tongues.

Aden occupies one of the world's most dramatic natural harbors, formed within the crater of an extinct volcano. For millennia, this strategic port controlled maritime trade between the Mediterranean, Africa, and Asia. The British made it a Crown Colony in 1839, transforming it into one of the world's busiest ports — by the 1950s, Aden was second only to New York in shipping traffic.

The city sprawls across volcanic peninsulas and ancient lava fields. Key landmarks include the Cisterns of Tawila — 53 ancient water tanks carved into rock, possibly dating to the 1st century CE — and the historic Crater district with its crumbling colonial architecture. The beaches of Gold Mohur and Elephant Bay once drew tourists, while Steamer Point served ocean liners on the Europe-Asia route.

Yemeni cuisine reflects the country's position at the crossroads of ancient trade routes. Dishes are hearty, aromatic, and meant for sharing. The national dish is saltah — a meat stew topped with fenugreek froth (hulba) served in a stone pot, eaten communally with flatbread.

Saltah

National Dish

Meat stew topped with fenugreek foam—eaten with flatbread.

Ingredients: 300g lamb, cubed, Tomatoes, onion, Zhug (green chili paste), Hulba (fenugreek foam), Hawaij spice, Flatbread.

Preparation: Brown lamb with onions. After that, add tomatoes and hawaij spice. Simmer until meat tender. Then add zhug for heat. Top with hulba foam. Last, serve in stone pot with bread.

💡 Saltah is served bubbling in stone pot—scoop with bread.

Mandi

Smoked Rice

Rice and meat slow-cooked with smoke—Yemeni celebration dish.

Ingredients: 480ml basmati rice, 500g lamb or chicken, Hawaij spice, Onions, tomatoes, Charcoal for smoking, Ghee.

Preparation: Season meat with hawaij, slow cook until tender. Cook rice in meat broth. Add hot charcoal in small pot to finished dish. Then cover tightly to smoke. Smoke for 10-15 minutes. Finally, serve rice mounded with meat on top.

💡 The smoking at the end gives mandi its distinctive flavor.

Malawach

Flaky Flatbread

Crispy, layered flatbread—Yemeni-Jewish tradition.

Ingredients: 480ml flour, Water, Butter or margarine, Salt, sugar.

Preparation: Make soft dough, rest overnight. Then divide into balls. Flatten, spread with butter. Fold into layers repeatedly. Then roll out again. To finish, pan-fry until golden and crispy.

💡 The layers come from folding and buttering—patience pays off.

Yemeni culture preserves ancient Arabian traditions largely unchanged. The jambiya — a curved dagger worn on a decorated belt — remains essential male attire, signifying tribal identity and honor. Men gather each afternoon for qat chewing sessions, where the mildly stimulating leaves are chewed while discussing politics, poetry, and business.

Yemen has a rich poetic tradition dating back millennia. The Yemeni song "Qahwat al-Sabah" (Morning Coffee) and distinctive folk music accompany weddings and festivals. Traditional architecture, silverwork, and textile weaving represent skills passed through generations. Hospitality is sacred — guests are treated with elaborate generosity.

Yemen's climate varies dramatically by region due to its diverse topography. The highland areas around Sana'a enjoy a temperate climate with cool nights year-round, while coastal areas experience tropical heat and humidity. The eastern deserts are among the hottest places on Earth.

Socotra Access: Charter flights operate from Abu Dhabi (UAE) to Socotra, typically organized through specialized tour operators. Flight time is approximately 2.5 hours. All visits require advance booking with licensed tour operators who handle permits and logistics.

Pre-conflict Yemen was one of the most affordable destinations in the Middle East. Today, Socotra tours are the only viable option, with costs significantly higher due to logistics.

On Socotra, accommodation is basic but atmospheric. Most tours combine camping under the stars with stays in simple guesthouses in Hadibo, the island's main town.

Yemen's rich cultural calendar reflects its Islamic heritage and ancient traditions. While many festivals are currently disrupted by conflict, Socotra maintains some local celebrations.

Yemen boasts five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, representing some of humanity's most remarkable architectural and natural achievements. Tragically, several are currently endangered due to conflict.

Beyond the famous sites, Yemen holds countless treasures that few travelers have ever witnessed.

For Socotra trips, packing right is essential as supplies are limited on the island.

Explore Yemen's wonders through these documentaries and travel videos.

Football (soccer) is Yemen's most popular sport, with a passionate following despite current challenges.

Yemen has a rich tradition of poetry and oral literature, with modern media largely affected by current events.