Muhafazat al Hudaydah Things to Do Tips by Nansen

Al-Ashair Mosque

Al-Ashair mosque was founded in 630 A.D., and is one of the oldest mosques in the world. This mosque was famous because of the imporatnt schools and universities that were builded near it.
Under Rasulid rulers, between 1119-1454 , there were more than 250 schools and mosques in the surroundings, with more than 5000.
Today there is only a shadow of this, but the mosque is still a busy place full of students.

Address: Zabid old city

Zabid old city

Zabid is one of the most important religious center in islamic world. Is supposed in Zabid was founded the first university in the world.
The city was founded in 820 A.D, surrounding the Old Mosque Al-Ashair by the Ziadi family.
Since 1994 this old city is part of Human Heritage, being the third town in Yemen with this title.Unfortunatley, works to preserve it haven´t been finished, and the city is quite old and ruined. It´s because of war, that stopped the preservation.
Interesting things to visit in Zabid are the mosque

Al Hudaydah Harbour

Another thing to see in the Hudaydah´s harbour are the dhows . This kind of ship, called za´ima in Yemen, has been used since many years ago to sail thorugh the ocean to India, thanks to the regular winds of the region. Species and all other exotic products were carried to arabian coasts in order to sell them to Europe, before european sailors reached India.

Al Hudaydah Fish Market

Al Hudaydah is the main city in the province, and one of biggest cities in Yemen. It´s an important city because of its harbour, more imporatnt and with more activity than Aden, Mokha or Mukallha.
Al Hudaydah was always a little town untill 1850, under turkish government, when the harbour was developed in order to compete with Aden, that was under british government.
It´s the reason why there´s no much to see in the city, as it is modern and busy. The most interesting thing is the fish market, taht has the main activivity eraly in the morning, when boats carry their captures (shraks,tuna) to sell them in the market. Colours, the noise, and hot...a great experience, even to those who have visitted Mukalla.

Red Sea Beach and Coral Reefs

Atlhough Yemenian´s Red Sea Coast is less developed than in other countries like Egypt or Israel, there are some beautiful beaches with coral reefs and some acommodations in the village Al-Khawkhah. There you can hire a boat for a day or half a day to visit and swim near coral reefs.
Yemenian Red Sea coast is still wild and well-conservated, but unfortunately, tourist acommodation is rare. There are not diving facilities so, you should carry your own equipment.