Al Mukalla is in the Yemeni Highlands and is eastern Yemen's biggest city, the gateway to the historical Hadhramaut region. A bustling port, it is well developed by Yemeni standards, with good roads and a reasonably smart waterfront. In 2021, it was home to about 566,000 people.

Understand[edit]

Al Mukalla is close to Cane, the ancient Hadrami trading post between India and Africa, with incense producing areas in its hinterland. The city was founded in 1035 as a fishing settlement. While Al Mukalla has fared slightly better during the ongoing Yemeni Civil War, it was held by Al-Qaida between 2015-2016.

Get in[edit]

By plane[edit]

National carrier Yemenia operates a few domestic flights to Mukalla.

• 14.662549.3751 Riyan Mukalla International Airport (مطار الريان الدولي) (30km east of the city). RIY ^IATA (updated Jan 2023)

Get around[edit]

Map of Al Mukalla

See[edit]

The old historic city core, located on a small peninsula, has many small alleyways worth exploring.

• 14.5583849.136461 Fort Al-Ghwayzi (حِصْن ٱلْغوَيْزِي). Built on the foot of a rock and designed to protect the city from Bedouin attacks, this historic fortress dates back to 1716 when the sultans of the Emirate of Al-Kassad ruled the Hadhramaut area. (updated Jan 2023)
• 14.531449.12772 Qu'aiti palace museum (قصر السلطان القعيطي). A former royal palace, now turned into a regional museum. (updated Jan 2023)

Do[edit]

Nearby are Hadhramaut Mountains, such as Husn Ghuraf.

Buy[edit]

Eat[edit]

Drink[edit]

Sleep[edit]

• 14.541849.17141 Ramada Al Mukalla. One of the best hotels in the area. It is not in the city centre but is a few kilometres away. It has a private beach, swimming pool and intermittent internet. All rooms have a sea view. It used to be a Holiday Inn, but has changed to the Ramada brand. Be careful on the beach as it is rocky with sharp objects/sea urchins at low tide. (updated Jan 2023)
• Hadhramaut Hotel, ☏ +967 5 302060, +967 5 303441. Has swimming pool. On the eastern side of the city. 
• Al Salama Hotel. Cheaper hotel in the old city 

Connect[edit]

Go next[edit]

• Socotra – an island that is a UNESCO world natural heritage site, and very safe (in contrast to the Yemen mainland)