Travel advisory · SomaliaGovernments advise against all travel to Somalia.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Banadir (Mogadishu) · avoid all travel · Germany, New Zealand
- Somaliland · avoid all travel · France, New Zealand
- South and central Somalia · avoid all travel · Germany, France, Italy
Also named by one government: Coast of Somalia and nearby waters (Spain), Galmudug (Germany), Hirshabelle (Germany), Jubaland (Germany), Kismayo (New Zealand), Puntland (France), Sanaag (Germany), Sool (Germany), South West (Germany), Whole country and nearby waters (Spain), Awdal (UK), Hargeisa and Berbera corridor (France), Maroodijeh (UK), Sahil (UK)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | advises against all travel | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Do not travel to Somalia for any reason | May 21, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid all travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Reisewarnung: vor Reisen nach Somalia wird gewarnt | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Do not travel to Somalia | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | formellement déconseillé aux personnes isolées de se déplacer dans la totalité du pays | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Mogadishu
Mogadishu is Somalia's coastal capital, with old merchant streets and a long trading history. Plan security and lodging before anything else.
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Mogadishu is the capital of Somalia, on the Indian Ocean coast of the Horn of Africa. It was a trading port for centuries, with links to Arab, Persian and Indian merchants, and that history is still visible in its older districts. In Hamar Weyne, narrow streets and houses of coral stone show the city's merchant past. The 13th-century Fakr ad-Din Mosque is one of the best-known religious sites, and Italian colonial buildings from the early 20th century add another layer to the center. On the coast, Lido beach is a popular place for residents to spend time by the water.
Plan the trip around security first. Check the GOV.UK travel advice and your own government's advice before you book anything. Arrange secure lodging and transport in advance, and confirm your plans with your host before you move around the city. The driest months are January, February and September.
Mogadishu in five
- Get your visa rules before you bookVisa rules depend on your passport, so confirm them with the Somali embassy or consulate in your country before you buy flights.Visas and entry
- Set up mobile data before you landAsk your host which Somali network works best where you will stay, and compare eSIM options before you fly.Phones and eSIM
- Carry US dollars in small notesUS dollars are widely used for hotels and services in Mogadishu, alongside the Somali shilling. Bring small notes.Money and costs
- Arrange your airport pickup in advanceMogadishu's airport is Aden Adde International (MGQ). Ask your hotel or host to arrange the pickup before you land.Getting around
- Check that your insurance covers SomaliaStandard policies often exclude high-risk countries. Read the Somalia exclusions and confirm evacuation cover before you go.Travel insurance
Things to do in Mogadishu
See all attractions in Mogadishu
Need to know
- Currency
- Somali shilling (SOS); US dollars widely used
- Entry
- Visa rules vary by passport; check the embassy before booking
- Emergency
- Not confirmed here; ask your hotel or embassy for local numbers
- Tipping
- Ask your host before you tip
- Time
- UTC+3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry, hot
- FebruaryDry, hot
- MarchGu rains begin
- AprilGu rains
- MayGu rains
- JuneHot, humid
- JulyDry, windy
- AugustDry, windy
- SeptemberDry, hot
- OctoberDeyr rains begin
- NovemberDeyr rains
- DecemberDeyr rains
Right now in Mogadishu
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 90%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 82%
Mogadishu
03:53 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°26°82%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Wed31°25°55%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Thu30°26°88%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Fri31°26°85%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 85%.
- Sat30°25°41%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 41%.
- Sun32°26°27%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 32°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 27%.
Updated 03:51 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 571.6 SOS
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Lido BeachAsk your driver for the drive timeThe city's beach stretch on the coast. Confirm access and security with your host before going.
- Jazeera BeachAsk your driver for the drive timeA second coastal beach outing. Go only with a trusted driver and current security advice.
- AfgooyeAsk your driver for the drive timeA town on the main road west of Mogadishu. Confirm the route and security before any trip out of the city.
Before you go to Mogadishu
Rules for Mogadishu, checked
- Check the GOV.UK travel advice for Somalia before you book, since security conditions in Mogadishu can change quickly.Source
- Dress modestly in public, with shoulders and knees covered. Somalia is a Muslim-majority country.
- Carry your passport and visa, and keep separate digital copies of both in case the originals are lost or taken.
- During Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking in public during daylight hours, and eat in private spaces.
Plan around Mogadishu
Country rules, regions and wider trip planning
Read the guideVisas and entryHow entry works and what to check before you book
Read the guideMoney and costsDollars, shillings and what to carry in cash
Read the guideGetting aroundAirport transfers and moving inside the city
Read the guideWhere to stayHotel areas and how to book a secure base
Read the guideMogadishu FAQ
Is Mogadishu safe for tourists?
Security is the main question here, and it changes. Check the GOV.UK travel advice and your own government's advice before you book, and get local advice on hotels and movement inside the city.
Do I need a visa for Somalia?
Visa rules depend on your passport. Check the current requirements with the Somali embassy or consulate in your country before you buy flights.
What currency is used in Mogadishu?
The official currency is the Somali shilling (SOS). US dollars are widely used for hotels and services, so bring small US dollar notes as well.
What is the best time to visit Mogadishu?
January, February and September are the driest months. The Gu rains run from about March to May, and the Deyr rains from October to December.
Can I pay by card in Mogadishu?
Plan on carrying cash. Ask your hotel how it takes payment before you arrive.
How many days do you need in Mogadishu?
Your plan depends on your host, your security advice and your work or family reasons for going. Confirm every movement with your host first.