"AL-SALAAM ALAYKUM !" Top 5 Page for this destination Sanaa by DAO

Sanaa Travel Guide: 179 reviews and 575 photos

ARRIVAL IN THE TIME MACHINE

When I landed at the airport I began to argue with the taxi drivers almost oblivious to my surroundings. A deal was agreed and I hopped in the front of the battered old taxi. I then began to realise that my driver had the largest curved knife in his belt I had ever seen. Combined with the cracked windscreen, I thought I had the scariest Taxi driver in the world. A little bit of conversation began to make me think otherwise. As we drove through industrialised streets full of cars, loud horns, trucks, more horns and just crazy driving I began to relax. As new began to give way to old, the brown buildings with their white trims began to appear. So did people. Women covered in black always seeming to be in a covered hurry and men with – more daggers! They all had them in ornate belts. Every man and many a boy walking past covered black figures with small children in tow. And the car horns grew louder. I had arrived. Somehow into a busy growing city and yet 1000 years back in time.

Welcome to Yemen !

QAT !

THE SALT MARKET

Pros and Cons

Pros:BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS, FRIENDLY PEOPLE
Cons:TOTALLY MALE DOMINATED SOCIETY
In a nutshell:A DEFINATE TOURIST DESTINATION FOR THE INDEPENDENT TRAVELLER

Last visit to Sanaa: Jul 2006
Intro Updated Mar 16, 2007
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Reviews (31)

BE CAREFUL TAKING PHOTOS OF WOMEN ! - Sanaa

BE CAREFUL TAKING PHOTOS OF WOMEN ! Warnings and Dangers (5)

The receptionist in my hotel saw me taking photos of women walking by from well inside the lobby entrance. He said “They... more travel advice

DO NOT TRUST THEM ! Hotels (2)

If you read all my hotel tips on VT you find that I always seem to have a problem with the Accor group of hotels. Their... more travel advice

WADI DAHR Off The Beaten Path (1)

About 15 kilometres, 30 minutes drive or about 1500 years outside of Sana'a. It is called 'Dar al-Hajar’. This is a... more travel advice

NO GUNS ALLOWED IN SANA'A Local Customs (7)

A lot of people living in the mountains have guns. Pistols, AK47’s, and larger. You name it – they have them. They keep... more travel advice

Shopping (6)
See All DIET SODA
Things to Do (3)
See All MUSEUM OF TRADITIONAL ARTS AND CRAFTS
Restaurants (3)
See All FAST (STREET) FOOD
Transportation (1)
TAXI (UN SHARED)

Travelogues (8)

1 - 4 of 8

Comments (26)

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flynboxes Aug 12, 2010 at 2:01 PM

Classic toilet tip...lots of fun when you have a good case of the squirts.
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magor65 Mar 29, 2010 at 8:03 AM

Recently i've read an interesting article on Sanaa. So I've checked on VT to find out more and here comes an excellent page of yours with lots of useful informative tips. Sanaa isdefinitely a place I'd like to visit one day.
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ChristinaNest Dec 9, 2009 at 12:40 AM

Great page, thanks for sharing! The word 'qat' is so useful when playing Scrabble, and you have a 'q' but no 'u' :) I learned it thanks to VT:) greets from gloomy Sofia
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staindesign Dec 4, 2009 at 8:38 PM

Amazing Photos!
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willy_wonka May 27, 2009 at 10:34 PM

ive seen your sanaa tip on the main vt page for a while now, and have been meaning to visit. finally had the time, and what a delight! great practical tips on this very unique city! thanks for sharing.
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dreamhello May 26, 2009 at 7:42 PM

ed hardy buy ed hardy
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starship Mar 6, 2009 at 6:11 PM

Just a fantastic page! All your tips were not only interesting but useful. Wish I could be as confident in traveling to exotic places as you!
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lynnehamman Nov 13, 2008 at 3:54 PM

Sanaa has been on my wish list for many years-but is it safe?Great page, and tips. Pics are interesting. I read about Qat long ago-opiate for the masses.
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Camping_Girl Sep 5, 2008 at 9:50 AM

What a great page! I just love those ornate brown and white buildings!
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Laura_Mexico Jan 14, 2008 at 6:59 PM

Whooa I had to rate this tip because of those GORGEOUS pics and your COURAGE to climb the roof to take them! Congrats :)