Best Time to Visit Sanaa

Mild all year, with a cool, clear winter

Sanaa sits high in the mountains, so the heat you might expect from Yemen never really arrives. Even in June and July, the warmest months, afternoons top out around 30°C. Nights are cool all year.

Winter, from December to February, is the coldest stretch. Days are sunny and pleasant, but nights drop to about 7°C in December. You'll want a jacket when you wander the Old City after dark. The air is dry and the skies are clear, which suits long walks between the tall brick houses with their white-trimmed windows.

Spring and the summer showers

March to May is warm and bright. April is the wettest of those months, but rain is still light and short. It's a good time for the Old City's souks (markets), where you can look for spices, silver and honey.

July and August bring the closest thing to a rainy season. August is the wettest month, with showers on about three days. They tend to be brief, and the cloud makes the sun feel less strong. If you like a softer light for photos of the Old City's rooftops, you may enjoy it. June and September are the driest of the warm months, with almost no rain.

Which month for which trip

For walking and photography, pick October to March. The skies are clearest and the mornings are crisp. For a warmer trip with long evenings, May and June work well. September is a quiet middle ground: dry, mild and clear.

Because the climate is so steady, the weather won't decide your trip. Crowds follow a different pattern here. Sanaa doesn't have a typical tourist high season, and the timing of any visit depends far more on safety and access than on the weather. Check your government's current travel advice before you plan anything, and look at it again close to departure.

Festivals and events

Religious dates shape the calendar more than seasons do. Ramadan, the fasting month, changes the rhythm of the day. Many cafés close until sunset, then the Old City comes alive with evening meals. Eid al-Fitr, at the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha are family holidays, so expect shops to shut for a few days. These dates move about eleven days earlier each year.

If you're in the city at dinner time, try saltah, a bubbling meat stew topped with a frothy fenugreek whip. It's the national dish and it's best eaten hot on a cool evening.