Mukalla
Yemen
- Population
- 258,132
- Currency
- YER﷼236.6/$
Mukalla is in the Yemeni Highlands and is eastern Yemen's biggest city, the gateway to the historical Hadhramaut region. A bustling port, it is well developed by Yemeni standards, with good roads and a reasonably smart waterfront. In 2023, it was home to about 595,000 people.
Guide content adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Mukalla". Source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Weather
Live28°C
Overcast · feels like 34°C
- 86%
- 5 km/h
- AQI 25
- MonClear sky26° / 34°
- TuePartly cloudy27° / 34°
- WedPartly cloudy27° / 33°
- ThuMainly clear27° / 34°
- FriOvercast28° / 34°
Measured at 14.543, 49.124 · Asia/Aden
Understand
The name "Mukalla" (المكلا) is derived from the Arabic verb "kala" (كلا), meaning "to preserve" or "to nurture." This reflects the city's historical role as a safe harbor and bustling port, providing shelter and nurturing trade in the region. Historically, the city had multiple names: Al-Kheesa, Bandar Yaqoub, Bandar Omar, Bandar Al-Naqeeb, and Bandar Ghalib
Al Mukalla is close to Qana, the ancient Hadrami trading post between India and Africa, with incense producing areas in its hinterland. The city was founded in 1035 as a fishing settlement.
While Al Mukalla has fared slightly better during the ongoing Yemeni Civil War, it was held by Al-Qaeda between 2015-2016. The city is now considered the safest compared to the rest of mainland Yemen's cities.
Getting there
National carrier Yemenia[dead link] operates a few domestic flights to Mukalla.
Getting around
What to see
The old historic city core, located on a small peninsula, has many small alleyways worth exploring.
- 1 Fort Al-Ghwayzi (حِصْن ٱلْغوَيْزِي). Built on the foot of a rock and designed to protect the city from Bedouin attacks, this historic fortress dates back to 1716 when the sultans of the Emirate of Al-Kassad ruled the Hadhramaut area.
- 2 Qu'aiti palace museum (قصر السلطان القعيطي). A former royal palace, now turned into a regional museum.
- 3 Sik'kat Yaqoub (سكة يعقوب), Hayy Ash-Shaheed Khalid (by car or public transport). Market area near the Yaqoub cemetery
- 4 Khor al-Mukalla.
- 5 Omar Mosque (Sultan Omar al-Quaiti Mosque جامع السلطان عمر القعيطي), Mukalla St.
- 6 Al-Rawdah Mosque (جامع الروضة), Hayy Ash-Shaheed Khalid.
- 7 The Martyrs' Monument (نصب الشهيد التذكاري), Fuwah.
What to do
Nearby are Hadhramaut Mountains, such as Husn Ghuraf.
Where to eat
Drinking & nightlife
Shopping
Where to stay
- 1 Ramada Al Mukalla. One of the best hotels in the area. It is not in the city centre but is a few kilometres away. It has a private beach, swimming pool and intermittent internet. All rooms have a sea view. It used to be a Holiday Inn, but has changed to the Ramada brand. Be careful on the beach as it is rocky with sharp objects/sea urchins at low tide.
- Al Salama Hotel. Cheaper hotel in the old city
- 2 Nesto Hotel (Nesto نستو).
All guide text on this page is adapted from Wikivoyage and reused under CC BY-SA 4.0. Prices and opening hours change — verify anything that matters before you rely on it.