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
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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.
Get around
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See
[edit]The old historic city core, located on a small peninsula, has many small alleyways worth exploring.
- 1 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.
- 2 Qu'aiti palace museum (قصر السلطان القعيطي). A former royal palace, now turned into a regional museum.
Do
[edit]Nearby are Hadhramaut Mountains, such as Husn Ghuraf.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]Drink
[edit]Sleep
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- 1 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.
- 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)