CityBuddy
Garesa Palace
Best time to visit
Best early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the light is best for photos and temperatures are more bearable. Weekdays are noticeably calmer than weekends.
Budget tips
Admission is free, the ruins are open to the public. Local guides ask for roughly 5-10 dollars for a short guided tour.
Recommended for
History and architecture lovers, Photographers, Travelers seeking authentic places, Adventurers
Plan your visit
1-2 hours
About
Quick facts: The palace was built from Italian marble and local stone between 1920 and 1926 for Sultan Mohamoud Ali Shirwa. After a fire in 2020, only the massive stone facade remained standing, which is still a popular spot for evening gatherings among local residents.
Highlights: Few people know that beneath the palace lies a well-preserved labyrinth of tunnels through which the sultan escaped during enemy raids. To this day, the walls of these corridors are covered with original ornaments, and visitors can experience for themselves what a ruler's escape route looked like centuries ago.
Insider tips
- Wear sturdy footwear, the floor is unstable in places and full of rubble.
- The best photos are taken from the south side of the facade, where the most detailed ornamental stucco has been preserved.
- Avoid the midday heat between 12 and 3 p.m., the roof no longer exists and there is nowhere to hide from the sun.
- After the tour, try the Somali tea with ginger and milk at the entrance for a few cents.
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