Travel advisory · YemenGovernments advise against all travel to Yemen.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Socotra Island · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy, New Zealand, US
Also named by one government: All of Yemen (Spain), Gulf of Aden (France), Sanaa–Ta'izz–Aden highway (Canada), South Red Sea (France), Yemeni coastal waters (Germany)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | FCDO advises against all travel to the whole of Yemen | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Do Not Travel | Oct 23, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid all travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Reisewarnung: vor Reisen nach Jemen wird gewarnt | Oct 29, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Do not travel to Yemen | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | formellement déconseillé pour tout le territoire | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 3, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Shibam
Shibam is a walled city in Yemen’s Hadramawt region, known for its closely packed mud-brick tower houses.
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Shibam is a walled city in Yemen’s Hadramawt region, above the Wadi Hadramawt valley. Its closely grouped mud-brick tower houses give the old city its distinctive skyline and the nickname “the Manhattan of the desert.” The city’s compact form is the main draw for travelers interested in historic architecture.
Before planning a visit, check your government’s current Yemen travel advisory and confirm local access with a specialist operator. Security conditions can affect whether travel to Shibam is possible, and you should not assume routes into Wadi Hadramawt are open. If access is confirmed, arrange a local guide before you go. The city is small enough for a short stop, but the draft provides no verified visiting hours or travel times. Cooler months are more comfortable for walking outdoors. Take time to view the city from outside its walls as well as from its lanes.
Shibam in five
- Check the Yemen travel advisoryRead your government’s current advisory before making plans. Conflict and access conditions can affect whether travel to Shibam is possible.
- Confirm access to ShibamAsk a specialist local operator whether the route into Wadi Hadramawt is open and safe. Do not assume you can travel overland.
- Arrange a local guideArrange access to Shibam’s old walled city with a local guide before you travel.
- Check visa rules for your passportEntry requirements depend on your nationality. Confirm current rules with the Yemeni authorities before booking.
- Carry cash in Yemeni rialDo not assume you can pay by card in Shibam. Arrange access to cash before travelling to the town.
Things to do in Shibam
See all attractions in Shibam
Need to know
- Currency
- Yemeni rial (YER)
- Entry
- Visa requirements depend on your passport
- Emergency
- Check locally; no reliable nationwide number
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCooler season
- FebruaryCooler season
- MarchWarming up
- AprilMilder days
- MayMilder days
- JuneDry season
- JulyHot season
- AugustHot season
- SeptemberHot season
- OctoberCooling down
- NovemberCooler days
- DecemberCooler season
Right now in Shibam
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
23
- Feels like
- 20°
- Humidity
- 26%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Shibam
03:53 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today31°17°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 31°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed31°16°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 31°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu32°17°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 32°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri32°18°0%Friday: Clear. High 32°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat33°19°4%Saturday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sun33°21°2%Sunday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 2%.
Updated 12:14 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 236.5 YER
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Shibam
Rules for Shibam, checked
- Check your government’s current Yemen travel advisory before travelling. Security conditions can affect access to Shibam.Source
- Confirm visa requirements for your passport with Yemeni authorities before booking. Entry rules can change.
- Arrange local guidance and confirm the route into Wadi Hadramaut before setting out for Shibam.
Plan around Shibam
Check entry requirements for your passport
Read the guideTravel insuranceCheck what your policy covers before travel
Read the guideMoney and costsPlan for cash, cards and trip budgeting
Read the guidePhones and eSIMCompare mobile data options
Read the guideWhere to stayPlan where to base yourself
Read the guideShibam FAQ
Where is Shibam, Yemen?
Shibam is a walled town in Yemen’s Wadi Hadramawt. Its old city is known for closely grouped, tall mud-brick houses.
Why is Shibam called the Manhattan of the desert?
The nickname refers to the tall mud-brick tower houses grouped inside the old city walls.
Is Shibam safe to visit?
Check your government’s current Yemen travel advisory and confirm local access before planning a visit. Security conditions can affect whether travel is possible.
How do you get to Shibam, Yemen?
Confirm current access to Wadi Hadramawt with a specialist local operator before travelling. Do not assume roads or routes are open.
Do you need a guide to visit Shibam?
Arrange a local guide before you go. Confirm how to access the old city and whether travel to the area is currently possible.
What is Shibam known for?
Shibam is known for its walled old city and tall mud-brick houses.