Yemen : Safety by City
Yemen is such a dangerous country that tourism numbers do not even reach 1,000 visitors a year.
Sitting at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, it borders Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the Red Sea, positioned along some of the world’s most strategic shipping routes.
Historically, Yemen was a powerhouse of trade, culture, and scholarship, once home to legendary kingdoms, ancient cities, and vital spice and incense routes that connected Africa, Asia, and Europe.
That rich legacy is now overshadowed by years of civil war, regional power struggles, militant activity, and humanitarian collapse.
Multiple armed factions, foreign military involvement, and deep political fractures have pushed Yemen into one of the highest risk categories used by global travel advisories.
Yemen is consistently ranked among the most dangerous countries in the world.
Even if you wanted to see extraordinary places like Sana’a’s Old City, Shibam’s ancient skyscrapers, or Socotra’s surreal landscapes, reaching them is nearly impossible.
Visas are rarely approved, commercial flights are limited, internal transportation is unreliable, and emergency support is almost nonexistent.
If detained, foreign nationals can face prolonged isolation, limited legal rights, and little meaningful help from their home countries.
For travelers, Yemen is not just high-risk.
It is a place where basic safety, mobility, and rescue simply aren’t an option.
It doesn’t look like the risk in Yemen is going away anytime soon, considering the country has been under a state of emergency since 2011.
Neighboring countries like Oman and Saudi Arabia should be strongly considered as a replacement for a trip to Yemen.
Warnings & Dangers in Yemen
OVERALL RISK: HIGH
There's a high risk in Yemen for a litany of reasons, and there's not one measuring fact or statistic that should make you think twice about avoiding the country altogether.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: HIGH
Another high risk, with not a single form of transportation being considered relatively safe, especially for Westerners.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
Across the board, crime is a high risk, especially for anyone who stands out as a foreigner or displays signs of wealth. The local police are unlikely to help you if you are a victim of a crime.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
Yemen faces significant natural disaster risks, layered on top of its humanitarian crisis. Seasonal heavy rains trigger flash flooding and deadly landslides, especially in mountain regions and dense urban areas. Coastal zones face tropical storms and cyclones from the Arabian Sea. Earthquakes are rare but possible. Weak infrastructure magnifies the impact of even moderate natural events.
MUGGING RISK: HIGH
For the first time in all my years of travel safety writing, the biggest violent crime risk on travel advisories is car bombs and drone strikes. That's on top of the robbery and violent assault risks. Again, you won't get much help from your embassy or local law enforcement.
TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
Terrorism is a high risk, and not just due to international concerns. There are regional squabbles that can turn dangerous quickly.
SCAMS RISK: HIGH
Scams aren't your biggest concern, but if there's a way to separate you from your valuables or money, crooks here will find it. Treat this as a high risk and make it one of many reasons you should avoid Yemen.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH
If we gave an extremely high-risk category, this would be solidly in that category. Women face severe legal, cultural, and safety restrictions, including risks of harassment, forced marriage, detention, and violence. Movement may require male permission in some regions, and legal protections are minimal.
TAP WATER RISK: HIGH
Yemen’s tap water is unsafe to drink, brush teeth with, or use for food preparation. Water infrastructure has been heavily damaged by conflict, leading to widespread contamination. Cholera and other waterborne illnesses remain ongoing risks. Then there's always the risk of water shortages.
Safest Places to Visit in Yemen
The Yemen Tourism Promotion Board (YTPB) runs the website yementourism.com.
Please know that nothing about this website will showcase the risks detailed in the travel advisories from other governments.
While there is currently no safe way to travel in Yemen, the country remains one of the most historically and culturally rich places in the Middle East.
If stability ever returns, visitors would have an extraordinary list of places to explore.
Sana’a Old City is the headline act, famous for its soaring mudbrick tower houses, stained-glass windows, and maze-like streets that feel pulled from another century.
Nearby, the mountain village of Al-Hajjara clings dramatically to a cliffside, delivering one of the most striking cityscapes in the region.
Shibam, often called the “Manhattan of the Desert,” stuns with its 16th-century high-rise mudbrick skyline and UNESCO status.
Along the coast, Aden offers volcanic craters, Ottoman forts, and historic port neighborhoods, while Mukalla blends Hadhrami architecture with Indian Ocean views.
Then there’s Socotra Island, Yemen’s natural showstopper, known for alien-looking dragon blood trees, white-sand beaches, coral reefs, and biodiversity found nowhere else on Earth.
Elsewhere, ancient dam ruins in Marib, centuries-old mosques, and remote desert landscapes round out a destination that, in another timeline, would rival Jordan, Oman, and Morocco for cultural depth.
For now, these places remain largely out of reach, but their historical pull is undeniable.
Places to Avoid in Yemen
The dangers in Yemen aren’t just clickbait or exaggerations.
There are no safe places to visit within the country, and that includes the island of Socotra.
The risks in Yemen aren’t new and won’t go away any time soon.
A state of emergency has been underway since 2011.
Different regions can have different rules, tolerance, and use of force tactics.
Even those visiting Saudi Arabia or Oman are warned to avoid all travel to the Yemeni border.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Yemen
- There is no reliable nationwide emergency response system for travelers in Yemen. Police services vary by region, and in many areas, security is controlled by militias or armed groups, not government forces. Emergency numbers may not function, and response times are unpredictable. Even if you call 199 for help, you won’t get someone who speaks English.
- Yemen has no centralized public alert system. Infrastructure damage, power outages, and unstable communications make timely warnings unreliable. Embassies issue alerts when possible, but evacuation options are extremely limited. Travelers cannot depend on real-time updates for airstrikes, fighting, road closures, or kidnappings.
- There is no safe or practical way for foreign nationals to drive in Yemen. Road conditions are poor, checkpoints are frequent, and active conflict makes travel unpredictable. Kidnappings, armed robberies, and accidental entry into conflict zones are real risks. Even experienced regional drivers avoid long routes. Self-driving is considered extremely dangerous and should not be attempted under any circumstances.
- Multiple vaccinations are recommended, including hepatitis A and B, typhoid, cholera, tetanus, and polio boosters. Malaria prevention is also advised in many regions. Medical infrastructure is severely limited, medicine shortages are common, and hospital care is unreliable. Emergency treatment and evacuation may not be available. From a health standpoint alone, Yemen is not a safe travel destination.
- Arabic is the official language, and English is not widely spoken outside limited government, NGO, or business circles. Communication barriers can become serious safety risks during emergencies, checkpoints, or detentions. Travelers may struggle to explain medical needs, legal situations, or basic logistics. The inability to communicate effectively compounds the already extreme risks of visiting Yemen.
- Law enforcement is inconsistent, unpredictable, and often influenced by local power structures. Foreigners may be detained for questioning, especially if they cannot immediately produce a passport. Random stops, document checks, and prolonged questioning are common.
- Photography of military personnel, vehicles, buildings, airports, checkpoints, or infrastructure is strictly forbidden and has led to arrests of foreign nationals. Many sensitive sites are not clearly marked, making accidental violations easy. Even carrying a camera or phone near checkpoints can trigger suspicion.
- Women and girls face extreme risks, including forced marriage, movement restrictions, and gender-based violence. In some regions, particularly under Houthi control, women may be subject to strict guardianship rules. Female travelers married to Yemeni men should understand that children brought into Yemen may not be allowed to leave.
- Same-sex relationships and gender-nonconforming expression are criminalized in Yemen, with penalties ranging from imprisonment to death. Social attitudes are deeply hostile, and harassment or violence is a real threat. There are no legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. For LGBTQ+ travelers, Yemen represents an extreme and life-threatening environment.
- Landmines and unexploded munitions remain widespread, particularly around Aden, in southern and eastern regions, and across the central highlands. These hidden explosives continue to injure and kill civilians every year. Roads, farmland, and even urban areas may contain unexploded devices, making routine travel and walking dangerously unpredictable.
So... How Safe Is Yemen Really?
Yemen is not safe at all.
Most governments give it the highest risk level, which is Level 4: Do Not Travel.
The risks aren’t arbitrary either.
They include things like terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, violent crime, and health issues.
Even forced marriage for younger visitors is mentioned in the travel advisories.
As expanded precautions, you’re likely going to have a hard time getting to Yemen even if you accept the risks.
Most governments won’t issue a visa.
Should you figure out a way to get to Yemen, you’re then going to be left to self-rescue when things go sideways.
Embassy and consulate services are not available.
It’s worth noting that the island of Socotra is part of Yemen and has the same risks.
Some companies will try to sell Socotra as a less-risky part of the country.
Don’t fall for it.
Finally, the country of Yemen has been under a state of emergency since 2011.
Not only does your government tell you to avoid visiting, but Yemen also doesn’t want you to visit, either
How Does Yemen Compare?
| Country | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Yemen | 10 |
 Puerto Rico | 48 |
 Philippines | 47 |
 Sweden | 83 |
 Senegal | 45 |
 Republic of the Congo | 54 |
 Qatar | 84 |
 British Virgin Islands | 89 |
 Czech Republic | 88 |
Useful Information
Visas
Yemen requires a visa in advance, but realistically, most travelers should not be applying at all. In fact, your government might not even issue a visa even if you accept all the risks. Even with a valid visa, entry can be denied without explanation. Given active conflict and widespread instability, travel tourism is strongly discouraged by nearly all governments.
Currency
The Yemeni rial is the official currency, but cash access is extremely limited. Banks, ATMs, and card payments are unreliable or nonexistent in many areas. Exchange rates fluctuate wildly, and counterfeit bills circulate. Sanctions, inflation, and shortages complicate everyday transactions.
Weather
Yemen’s climate varies by region. Coastal areas are brutally hot and humid, while highland cities like Sana’a are cooler and more comfortable. Desert regions experience extreme heat and dry conditions. Seasonal rains can cause flash flooding and landslides, especially in mountainous zones. Weather, however, is the least of the safety concerns when planning travel here.
Airports
Commercial air travel in Yemen is extremely limited. Sana’a International Airport has been largely closed to regular international traffic, with only occasional humanitarian or special flights. Aden and Seiyun handle limited regional routes, subject to sudden closures. Flight schedules are unstable, cancellations are common, and airport security conditions can change rapidly without warning.
Travel Insurance
Most travel insurance policies do not cover Yemen due to war exclusions. Medical care is severely limited, evacuation is complex and extremely expensive, and emergency response options are scarce. Without specialized high-risk insurance, travel here is financially and medically reckless. Even with coverage, evacuation logistics may not be feasible. This is a destination best left off travel itineraries.
Yemen Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C |
25 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 25 |
| Low °C |
8 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 |
| High °F |
77 | 79 | 82 | 86 | 90 | 91 | 90 | 88 | 86 | 84 | 81 | 77 |
| Low °F |
46 | 48 | 52 | 55 | 59 | 61 | 61 | 59 | 57 | 54 | 50 | 46 |
Yemen - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Sana’a | 36 |
Nonsense
Kill yourself, nothing here is true except for the war….
I am a tourist who went to Yemen just last month and I cam home loving the adventure, unlike you who never been there….
How could you say that the people are so good and heart-warming when you literally talk shit about them stealing and kidnaping you????
I am ignoring you and I will do the exact opposite and do my best to get back into the country because there is so much more I could see!!
The capital city is very safe including Mukalla and Ibb, not saying that the country is safe, just saying that it is not lawless and that there are cops everywhere, but I am pretty damn sure the pickpocketing and robberies are in every country in the world.
It is not that dangerous, I sometimes even walk at night alone and all I get is people wanting to take a picture with me.
So get all this nonsense away and actually let someone who has been there explain the safety rating.
How safe is there right now i was going to go soon when they open up or is open now so i know
Thank you Elias.
You are absolutely right, its totally safe to room around in all cities in Yemen. I am planning to go there once the travel ban is lifted. Maybe in Sep. I would love to accompany you. Let me know
That yemen is my good place i am sad because is bad
appropriate it
Hello brother
IAM from India
I want to visit yaman Aden city. this month anyone please help me To get visa
I’m scared that all of them are high.
Thank you Elias for sharing your experience, I would like to go and visit some of the islands associated with Yemen, maybe see you There: )
Hello I’m trying to go to YEMEN to be with my husband can USA citizen go there now in 2023 please get back with me
I think its spot on.As of 2020 it was ranked 4th most dangerous country in the world. People can be nice but that dosent mean that its a safe country. Especialy when you have an armed gang threatning to take over Saudi Arbias capital.
My is a Dr he’s in yemen he said that you don’t know when you are going to die someone sent a Rockets in the building next to them and the other Dr were kllled
I do know a doctor there who is scared to death because of the violence because of the war he wants out so bad. He told me he was there to save people but he didn’t think he could save himself. This gentleman is in the far east of Yemen. I know it’s different than other places but I don’t believe any of Yemen is safe.. God help all of the people there and please Lord bring our people home 🙏🙏🙏
Unsafe, but this article is factually incorrect
This is factually incorrect. There aren’t kidnappings, natural disasters, suicide bombings. The militant groups aren’t two terror groups fighting each other, its much deeper than that. Please get your facts straight before spreading misinformation like this.
Stop scare mongering please
The media always exaggerates the situation in Yemen, there’s some trouble in some places between people but not like the way they portrayed it! I came back in January this year it was absolutely safe in Aden and I’m planning to go in December so please stop scare mongering 😔
Dangerous
Why are so many people claiming Yemen is safe?
Fact
The fact is, Because the know better than you do,
Have you been there to say its not? get views of people who actually been there!
Extremely dangerous just like any Muslim country!!
Well that’s not xenophobic or anything. WOW! Not all Muslim countries are unsafe. You sound like an idiot.
I’ve traveled to them alone, as a female, and a Jew.
Hello I’m a us citizen woman soon traveling to Aden Yemen w my future mother in law . I’m Mexican and want to know if it’ll be safe . Please someone let me know
The situation there is safe. I am from the local population. There is nothing and everything is available, but for a citizen, Aden is the safest city in Yemen. There are no pickpockets or scammers, and everything is a lie, even terrorism is not in Aden. I advise you not to visit Shabwa, Marib, Sana’a, Hattu is not safe for its residents.
YEMEN IS GREAT AND INEXPENSIVE. I BOUGHT A TROUT DOG FOR 2 DOLLARS
You… you are lucky to be alive Brittney.
Middle eastern countries are beautiful, whoever wrote it should be a shame of them selves. Currently traveled to middle eastern country and it was a safe, quiet, peaceful trip! Stop being closed minded and visit one. What your being is Islamophobic! What a shame!
Wow very racist!
I was based in Yemen with Hunt Oil Company in the mid-late 90’s.
Fabulous history and wandering around Sana’a for the day before flying home was a real joy. The taxi dropped us off at Bab Al-Yemen and we ventured well into the old city. The locals were so friendly and keen to speak English with us. Oh and the coffee in the little shacks was so nice!
Saying that, when we had to go to the oil plant via Marib, it’s a different story. Marib is like the OK Corral with the army vs Bedouins. We used to get held-up at the infamous Al-Jadn Junction but the drivers knew the passwords to get through unscathed! And then there was the Qat stop before coming down from the mountains to the hot desert plains 😉
I was held-up a couple of times and told to stop working in an area because the oil company hadn’t paid the local tribe in fresh drinking water. That’s generally how the ‘kidnappings’ worked. I knew a guy from another oil company who was ‘kidnapped’ and his only complaint after his 3-day ordeal was that he was given too much Johnnie Walker Whisky!
Oh how Tony BLiar together with George Dubbya Bush have destabilised this entire region.
I just toured all the Muslim countries. None of them are safe for the average American. Obviously if you are Muslim and can blend in looking like a local resident you will have a safer tour/trip than a pale skinned American that has a strong American accent and has no idea how to “blend” in and converse with the local citizens. America can be dangerous but not on the “level” of these countries. At least in America you have a “chance” of survival since other citizens will jump in and help you and the police are not corrupted. In the middle east the police are corrupted and local citizens look the other way when an American is in trouble. There are terrorist’s attacks everyday and kidnappings unlike that frequency in America. These countries need to separate their Religion from reality and stop using Religion as the law to live by and to follow precisely. As we all know Bibles are just books that contain the author’s personal beliefs and most of it can be fictitious.
How bout Malaysia? something in the South East, its peaceful
Replying To A Stupid Assumption
I agree that a number of Muslim countries are not safe but there are still multiple Muslim countries that have tourists there on the daily for example Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. These countries are very popular tourist destinations especially by Americans such as yourself. It is very stupid to make a very large racist assumption that isn’t accurate whatsoever. You need to stop making large statements based on your beliefs. Comparing a third world country to a first world country is idiotic as there are so many differences between the two and its just not quite fair to compare it like that. Also stating something like ” in the middle east ” is too general, you need to be specific if your going to make such an assumption. Get your facts straight. Yemen for example has been through so much war and corruption where as America a first world country has not. So, why is America still a crime filled place with school shootings occurring, Homicides, Human trafficking, Rape/Sexual Assault, Robbery and so much more in a country where it’s “safe” in your words and America is not corrupted such as Yemen a war filled country.
My friend is still missing there. Dr. Benjamine rainey.i miss him.tim c
He was in.yemen
At hospital.he was beat up . stabbed..robbed.hr told.me from there ..a dr was suppose to help.him get out of there from hospital .he.never made air flight home to.orlando.kissismi area .tell me it’s safe.ha.saudia arabia .is dangerous.tr
Stop spreading the ignorance Justin
You clearly didn’t visit any Muslim country if you say they are unsafe. I lived in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait as a teacher and felt safer there than in most major American cities. Syria, Yemen and most of Iraq are obviously not as safe due to armed conflict, but to say Dubai, Kuwait City, Muscat, Amman, Beirut, Manama and Doha are dangerous is ridiculous. Stop spreading your ignorance and hate.
even indonesia is very very safe, u dont need to lock the door when u sleep
NOT A REVIEW
Clearly, people don’t know the difference between freedom and safety.
India to yeman
Dear all, I also go todelhi to yeman, aden next month some urgent work, is anyone advise when flights will be operational.
I HATE YEMEN
I HATE YEMEN! YEMEN SAFETY IS EVEN LOWER THAN 10. IT IS -0. I ALWAYS SEE DANGER IN YEMEN. I AM BORN IN YEMEN, AND I ALWAYS GET ROBBED, MUGGED, SCAMMED, AND SHOT BY RUDE PEOPLE. I AM DARK-COLORED, AND I TRY TO BE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE, BUT THOSE BAD GUYS KEEP RUINING MT EXPERIENCE. THERE ARE ALSO EXTENSIVE NATURAL DISASTERS THAT I HATE. NEVER EVER GO TO YEMEN, OR YOU WILL EXPERIENCE THE THINGS THAT I EXPERIENCED. INSTEAD, GO TO CANADA.
ur review isnt believable HAHA
are you sure your from Yemen? cuz it doesnt sound like you are
I LOVE Yeman
In my Experience… Yeman is good… S off course there is a problem… Same like other country.. Am a lady.. Am working there.. From 2013…that local people are so nice.. They fear for god… They respect women…am walking alone… On street. In night times… Never feel fear… Its.. Safe country… I love yeman
I’m from Yemen
I’m from Yemen but live in California now and reading the above article made me laugh and upset at the same time. The article couldn’t be further from the truth. Everything stated beside the war is absolutely false. I have friends and family who live in California and travel back and forth to Yemen every year.
Great place. Clean, good economy
Dangerous country
The only people here saying Yemen is safe are people who live there or muslims that blend in so people don’t let them fool you in saying it’s safe. for every other profile you are far from safe. and don’t listen to the argument of that they know better because they been there all the news and journalist and so on that rate this country in the top of most dangerous know about what they speak and I rather believe all of them.
I am living in Yemen since 1996 ans its absolutely amazing. And Janice will never find me here!
Safe for women, as myself, just co-operate if asked to strip down a bit!
I went as an observer on behalf of the Egyptian Consul-General as a woman, was shocked at the absence of females in public places, I got to know the reason later when I saw a draped woman in a bus, in which some Yemeni militia with small arms climbed up, combed the bus for suspicious, and I got to know, the don’t harm women, their only demand is some touches, they got her to stand up, pulled down some of her waist clothes, spat his hands, and gave a gentle sensuous rub to her foreparts, she shuddered and gasped and then let her go after smelling her down. When it was my turn, they knew somehow I was not Yemeni, so they uttered some shit, and just fondled my tits, and smelled them. One of them apologised when I was getting down…
Overall safe for women!
Don't
If you can conform to Sharia and follow the advice of other Westerners who have been there you may survive the trip.
Nothing is worse than afghanistan or iran.
How could anything be worse or more embarrassing than a taliban government? I’m not going to travel there. I bet everyone saying yay go there is either retarded, confused, a citizen trying to paint a nonexistent picture, one of the bad guys themselves, or all of the above. It is possibly one of the most dangerous places to live either stay home and live,find a safer country to vacation to,or go there and risk death.
Yemen is dangerous
The reviews that say it’s safe are most likely fake i wouldn’t go there i never been and never will i don’t have the money to go there but even if i did i’d fly to Norway or Iceland and move to one of those places. The food they eat there might not be that great but it’s way better than dying. I never even tried their foods. I’d be afraid to ever set one foot in Yemen. Do yourself a favor and stay in a safe country. Make your visit to a country a safe one.
This comment thread is more dangerous then Yemen.
This assessment really hit home about how unsafe Yemen is right now its dominated by conflict, terrorism, and unpredictable violence that makes ordinary travel nearly impossible. The emphasis on extra danger instead of tourism tips was eye opening and honest.