CityBuddy
English
Somalia
Photo made by Kássia Melo on Pexels.com
When to visit
When are you going to Somalia?
Pick your dates and travel style to get:
- Personalized day-by-day itinerary
- Budget calculator for your trip
- Pre-trip checklist (visa, eSIM, tickets...)
Are any of these especially important to you?
Select all that apply
Must-include attractions sorted by popularity
Most popular attractions in Somalia
1. Lido Beach
Mogadishu
Golden sand and warm Indian Ocean waves make Lido Beach a relaxed city escape. Walk the shoreline, watch colorful dhows, sample beachside seafood, and enjoy the sunset.
2. Mogadishu Cathedral Ruins
Mogadishu
A poignant trace of Mogadishu's colonial history, the cathedral ruins reveal grand decaying architecture. Walk among carved stone, stained glass fragments and sweeping ocean views.
3. National Museum of Somalia
Mogadishu
Discover Somalia's cultural heart and restored artifacts that chart the nation's history. Wander galleries of archaeology, traditional crafts and Soviet-era memorabilia.
4. Bakara Market
Mogadishu
Largest market in Mogadishu, offering a vivid look at Somali trade and daily life. Wander busy alleys to find spices, textiles, electronics and lively haggling.
5. Laas Geel Rock Paintings (near Hargeisa)
Hargeisa
Quick facts: The rocks display vivid scenes of domestic cattle and people painted in warm ochre, red and white pigments that still retain a matte sheen under the sun. Archaeologists estimate an age range of roughly 5,000 to 11,000 years, and some drawings are executed with thin precise lines, revealing a surprising attention to detail.
Highlights: On several panels at least three colors are clearly visible: yellow ochre, red hematite and a white calcined layer, each applied in fine strokes that give a sense of volume to the animals. If you come closer you can feel the roughness of the stone under your palm and notice small decorative collars on the cows with repeating dots, a detail that suggests a ritual or social role of livestock in community life.
6. Zeila Old Town & Ancient Port (Zeila/Saylac)
Zeila
Quick facts: The coastal landscape is marked by ruined walls and multicolored stone houses, occasionally interrupted by slender minarets rising from the dusty horizon. Locals often find fragments of Chinese ceramics among the remains of the quay, revealing trading links that brought spices, textiles and shells.
Highlights: Archaeological finds include more than 300 fragments of Chinese ceramics and several large iron anchors, clear evidence of maritime links to the Far East. Torches and moonlight illuminate coral blocks worked with chisels, and the rough texture of the stone together with the smell of salt gives a tangible sense of the encounter between past and sea.
7. Berbera Old Town & Port
Berbera
Quick facts: A deep natural harbor allows larger ships to dock, and the shore often carries the smell of salt and fresh fish that greets you as soon as you step off the boat. In narrow, stone-paved streets old wooden shops and the buzz of traders create a sound mosaic mixing Arab, African and maritime influences.
Highlights: In the evening fishermen sing a song called 'Abdi' while they pull nets full of small shiny fish, and the smoke of fried sardines spreads a rich spicy aroma through the port taverns. On one wall stands a row of six stone towers stained with traces of red paint, a detail that becomes apparent only when you stop and listen to the creak of the planks under your feet.
8. Ras Hafun / Hafun Peninsula
Hafun
Quick facts: The view from the edge of the rocky promontory reveals an amazing play of colors, the sea changing shades from turquoise to indigo blue toward the horizon. Locals still use traditional wooden boats and nets, and along the shore you can often see a diverse population of seabirds.
Highlights: Dawns often last with intense colors, when the sky moves through orange and pink tones that remain visible for 20 to 30 minutes. Shallow coral reefs at depths of 2 to 5 meters offer a close view of schools of colorful fish, and on calm days the water reaches about 28°C.
9. Gondershe Historic Town (Gondershe/Marka)
Marka
Quick facts: Narrow stone streets are adorned with carved doors and archaic facades, and in the shallow harbor more than 20 traditional wooden boats sit at anchor. The salt scent and market sounds mix with the rhythm of seagulls, and visitors often feel as if they are walking through a maritime community frozen in time.
Highlights: On one wall there is an engraved inscription with the year 1593 and the name Malik, a small record that testifies to trade agreements with Persian sailors. Torchlit sunsets reveal the smell of burning wood and salty mist, and the creak of an old boat passes through the narrow passages leaving a tangible sense of ancient maritime journeys.
10. Saryan Museum
Hargeisa
Quick facts: The interior smells of old books and paints, while the walls display vivid photographs and handicrafts that convey personal stories. More than 200 items, from private letters to unusual sculptures, bring you into direct contact with the lives of the people who donated them.
Highlights: In one hall a 3 by 2 meter canvas hangs covered with a layer of sand and paint, its texture rough and under the spotlight revealing hidden handwritten messages. Guide Hasan tells 20-minute stories in which he names people like Amina and Mohamed and explains how the objects arrived from specific villages, often leaving visitors feeling unexpectedly connected.
Traditional Sweet Dishes
Xalwo
Xalwo is a translucent, jelly-like sweet made from sugar, cornstarch, ghee, and cardamom. It is traditionally prepared at weddings and Eid, and served to guests as a sign of hospitality.
Malawah
Malawah is a thin, flaky layered pancake often enjoyed with honey or sugar at breakfast. Its flaky technique shows Yemeni influence and Somali adaptation.
Kac Kac
Kac Kac are small fried dough balls or twists, crispy on the outside and tender inside, commonly sold by street vendors and served at gatherings. They are a popular sweet snack across Somalia and the Horn of Africa.
Traditional Savory Dishes
Canjeero (lahooh)
Canjeero is a spongy, slightly sour pancake eaten at nearly every Somali breakfast, torn by hand and paired with honey, ghee, or savory stews. Its texture and ubiquity make it a core element of Somali daily meals.
Bariis Iskukaris
Bariis Iskukaris is a fragrant rice pilaf cooked with spices like cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. It is the centerpiece of celebratory Somali feasts, often served with meat, raisins, and fried potatoes.
Suqaar
Suqaar is a home-style stir-fry of cubed beef or goat with vegetables and warming spices, served with rice or canjeero. It is a quick, versatile dish enjoyed in households across Somalia.
Traditional Beverages
Shaah (Somali spiced tea)
Shaah is strong black tea brewed with milk and aromatics such as cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves, and it is usually sweetened. Serving shaah is a central act of Somali hospitality and social life.
Camel Milk (geel)
Camel milk is prized among pastoral Somali communities for its nutritional value and resilience in arid climates. It is drunk fresh or fermented, and is both a dietary staple and a cultural symbol.
Qaxwo (Somali coffee)
Qaxwo is Somali coffee often lightly spiced and sweetened, served during social gatherings and ceremonies. Its preparation reflects Arab and East African coffee traditions.
Get a PDF with the most popular attractions sent to your email
Get a PDF with all attractions, ratings, and tips — perfect for offline use.
Day trips
Hargeisa (Somaliland)
Cultural center, markets, and nearby Laas Geel rock art.
Google MapsLaas Geel
Prehistoric rock paintings in a desert setting.
Google MapsComments (19)
Felt uneasy in parts at night, public transport is confusing and patchy, hire a local driver after dark to avoid stress.
Carry small bills, many vendors cannot break large notes. Buy a local SIM at the airport kiosk so you can call drivers reliably.
Roads are rough and getting around takes time, but coastal views and tea stops made the trip worth it, budget extra travel time.
Mogadishu felt safer during daytime than expected, still avoid after dark and always follow local advice on routes.
Food stalls are amazing, seafood is everywhere and cheap, but avoid unknown street vendors if you have a sensitive stomach.
Getting there
Airports
Train stations
No national rail network
Arrange airport transfers in advance, roads may be insecure; use trusted local guides.
Click to get eSim for Somalia
The easiest and most affordable way to get mobile internet wherever you travel.
Visa & entry
diplomatic passport holders, some neighboring countries
Most travelers from Europe, North America, Asia and Africa require visas in advance
Check with Somali embassy or nearest consulate for current rules and e-visa options.