Holiday in Djibouti City

What makes Djibouti City special as a destination?

Djibouti City is the capital of the small state of the same name located on the Horn of Africa — strategically situated at Bab el-Mandeb, the strait between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The city is a fascinating mix of French colonial heritage, Somali and Afar culture, and a desert landscape that resembles another planet. The European quarter, with its faded Art Deco facades and café terraces, recalls the French colonial period (Djibouti was French Somaliland until 1977). The Central Market (Marché Central) offers Somali spices, incense, khat leaves, and colorful fabrics. Djibouti's true attractions lie outside the city: Lake Assal, 155 m below sea level, is the lowest point in Africa and the saltiest lake in the world (10x saltier than the sea) — a dazzling white salt desert surrounded by black volcanic rock. Lake Abbé, with its surreal limestone columns, served as a backdrop for Planet of the Apes. The underwater world off Djibouti is spectacular: whale sharks (November-February), manta rays, and intact coral reefs in the Gulf of Tadjoura make the country one of the best diving destinations in Africa.