Good Time to Visit

Weather

Generally speaking, April to May and September to October are the best time to visit Yemen, wherever you're heading.

If you're going to the semi-desert Tihama region, Aden or Hadhramawt, avoid high summer (July). If you're heading for the highlands, winter nights can be very cold. The capital, Sana'a, has nightly frosts from late November to early January, and in the mountains it's very chilly indeed. From October to February most of the country is dry and dusty. In March, April and August the temperature is pleasant but you'll get very wet.

Visitors are advised to bring lightweight clothes if travelling to the coastal plain all year; warmer clothing will be needed from November to April in the highlands.

Festivals

Festivities are predominantly dictated by the Muslim calendar (see Public Holidays below). Visiting during Ramadan, in particular, can be a trying experience unless you're a frequent traveller in Arab countries.

Public Holidays

The following table shows the public holidays celebrated in Yemen: