The National Museum is located in Taherir Square in Dar al-Shukr (or the 'Palace of Gratefulness') it contains engravings of pre Islamic times,bronze statues, a beautiful mashrabia (cooling place for water) and several examples of folk art. It offers a good view of Taherir Square and the Muttawakelite Estate from the roof.

About 5 miles north of Sana'a is Rawdha, a garden city famous for its sweet grapes, the mosque built by Ahmed ibn al-Qasim and the Rawdha Palace, now used as a hotel.

Amran, north of Rawdha, lies on the edge of the fertile basin of al-Bawn. The city is surrounded by the old clay city walls of pre Islamic, Sabean origin. Hajja is a day's journey to the northwest of Sana'a. The countryside surrounding the city is made up of high mountains and large valleys, including the Wadi Sherez,1000m and Kohlan, 2400m.

Hajja itself is a citadel, situated on the central hill of Hajja, famous for underground prison cells used by the Imams. Hadda Mountain, south of Sana'a, is dotted with villages and orchards growing apricots, peaches, walnuts and almonds. The village of Hadda has two old Turkish mills.

Wadi Dhar, 10 km from Sana'a, is an idyllic valley filled with grapes, pomegranates and citrus fruits, surrounded by a barren plateau. Shibam, 36 km from Sana'a, is a preIslamic settlement, protected by the great fortification of Koukaban.

The attraction of Sanaa for the student is largely its striking scenery, spectacular Islamic and pre Islamic architecture and the deep sense of the past. The Muslim people who inhabit Yemen's towns and villages are as varied as the terrain: Tihamis, whose descendants are African; the Arabic featured Highlanders; and, in the desert, nomadic edouins.

A truly incredible place to learn Arabic.

Our program allows you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture and customs. Below are some of our recommended highlights. Some tours and packages can be organized when booking your program, please see the program price page for more information.

city tour
The city is easy to walk, visit the old citadel and then walk the old walls of the city. The Bab al-Yemen Market is a "must" along with the Great Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the Muslim world.

qasr al-silah (citadel)
The citadel, was rebuilt after the arrival of Islam in the seventh century and is still intact. The old center is surrounded by the remains of the city walls, which can be seen in the south along Zuberi Street before Bab al-Yemen, in the east along Mount Nugum starting from the walls of the citadel, and in the north on the road from Bab Sha'oob to Taherir Square.

bab al-yemen market
The 1000-year-old Bab al-Yemen Market is divided into 40 different crafts and trades. The spice market is one of the best to visit, standing out from the rest by the rich aroma of incense and famed Arabian spices. Other markets include the Souk al-Nahaas, once the copper market, now selling embroidered head-dresses, belts and jambias (curved daggers).

mosque
The Great Mosque of Sana'a is the oldest and largest of the mosques in Sana'a and one of the oldest in the Muslim world, constructed in the lifetime of the Prophet and enlarged in AD 705. The layout is typical of early Islamic architecture, with an open, square courtyard, surrounded by roofed galleries. The National Museum is located in Taherir Square in Dar al-Shukr (or the 'Palace of Gratefulness'); it contains engravings of pre-Islamic times, bronze statues, a beautiful mashrabia (cooling place for water) and several examples of folk art. It offers a good view of Taherir Square and the Muttawakelite Estate from the roof.

excursions

rawdha and amran
Located 8 km's north of Sana'a is Rawdha, a garden city famous for its sweet grapes, the mosque built by Ahmed ibn al-Qasim and the Rawdha Palace, now used as a hotel. Amran is located just north of Rawdha, lies on the edge of the fertile basin of al-Bawn. The city is surrounded by the old clay city walls of pre Islamic, Sabean origin.

hajjah
Hajjah is a day's journey to the west of Sana'a. The countryside is made up of high mountains and large valleys, including the Wadi Sherez, 1000m (3280 ft), and Kohlan, 2400m (7875ft). Hajjah itself is a citadel, situated on the central hill of Hajjah, famous for underground prison cells used by the Imams.

hadda mountain
Located south of Sana'a, is dotted with villages and orchards growing apricots, peaches, walnuts and almonds. The village of Hadda has two old Turkish mills. Wadi Dhar, 10km (6 miles) from Sana'a, is an idyllic valley filled with grapes, pomegranates and citrus fruits, surrounded by a barren plateau. Shibam, 36km (22 miles) from Sana'a, is a pre-Islamic settlement, protected by the great fortification of Koukaban.

ta'izz
The city of Ta'izz lies in the south at an altitude of 1400m (4590ft). The old city has been all but swallowed up by the fast-growing modern city around it but beautiful old houses and mosques remain within the line of the 13th-century city wall, which is still intact along the southern side. To the north, only the gates of Bab Musa and al-Bab al-Kabir remain. The southern wall offers a splendid view of Ta'izz. Al-Qahera, within the city walls, is the fortress and the oldest part of the city. Al-Ashrafiya and al-Mudhaffar are two of the most beautiful mosques in Yemen. The museum in the Palace of Imam Ahmed contains the personal effects of the last Imam, and has preserved the spirit of Yemen from before the beginning of the Republic. The Salah Palace, to the east just outside the city, is another museum of the royal family. The Souk Ta'izz sells a variety of goods, including silverware and carpets. Mount Saber is 18km (11 miles) from Ta'izz and offers a breathtaking view of the city and the Ta'izz basin. A heavy-duty vehicle is needed to drive to the top. The mountain rises to an altitude of 3000m (9840ft) and the weather can be very cold.

the red sea coast
Mokha is an old Himyarite port on the Red Sea. In the 17th and 18th centuries Mokha enjoyed a boom period exporting coffee, which was becoming fashionable in Europe (particularly Venice and Amsterdam, where the first coffee houses were opened). Coffee was later cultivated elsewhere and Mokha fell into decline. In recent years, the Government has improved the harbour and communications within Mokha in an attempt to resurrect this once-prosperous city. Hodeida is reached via the mountains of Manakha. A modern city port on the Red Sea, the harbour itself was completed in 1961. There is little here of historical interest apart from the fish market, where fishing boats have been built from wood in the same way for hundreds of years.