Holiday in Sanaa

What makes Sanaa special as a destination?

Sanaa is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world — according to legend, founded by Shem, the son of Noah. The old town (UNESCO World Heritage) is an architectural wonder: Over 6,000 tower houses from before the 11th century, built from mud and stone, up to eight stories high, adorned with white plaster bands and colorful stained glass windows (Qamariya) that bathe the interior in colored light. It is the only skyline in the world that has remained virtually unchanged since the Middle Ages. The city is located at an altitude of 2,200 meters in the Yemeni highlands, surrounded by barren mountains, and has a surprisingly mild climate. The Great Mosque (al-Jami al-Kabir), allegedly founded in the 6th century on the orders of the Prophet Mohammed, is one of the oldest mosques in the Islamic world. The Suq al-Milh (Salt Market) is a labyrinth of alleys where spices, daggers (Jambiya), incense, and honey have been traded for centuries. The Bab al-Yaman (Gate of Yemen) marks the historic entrance to the old town and is Sanaa's most iconic photo motif: Through the stone gate, one looks at the tower houses that rise behind it like a medieval fantasy cityscape. **Important Note:** Yemen has been in an armed conflict since 2015. The Foreign Office warns against all travel to Yemen. The described sights document a unique world heritage that is acutely threatened.