Djibouti City

Djibouti City, the capital of the tiny nation, is a hot, cosmopolitan port city strategically positioned where the Red Sea meets the Gulf of Aden, long a crossroads of trade, cultures and, today, international military bases. Its centre blends faded French colonial architecture with white Arabesque buildings, arcaded streets and mosques, centred on the Place Menelik and the bustling, colourful Central Market, where Afar, Somali, Arab, Ethiopian and international influences mingle. More a functional, atmospheric hub than a city of grand sights, it serves as the base for exploring Djibouti's extraordinary volcanic and salt landscapes and its whale-shark waters.

What you actually see

• The Central Market - the bustling, colourful market.
• The colonial and Arabesque architecture - the faded French and white buildings.
• Place Menelik - the historic central square.
• The harbour and melting-pot life - the strategic port and cultures.

When to go

November to March, the cooler season, for the most bearable weather, as Djibouti is one of the hottest countries on earth with fierce summer heat; the city is best explored in the cooler morning and evening hours. It is the arrival point and base for onward trips to the salt lakes, chimneys and the gulf.

Honest expectations

Djibouti City is a hot, dusty and expensive port city with modest attractions, so it is more a functional, atmospheric gateway than a sightseeing destination, and the fierce heat is a major factor; the presence of foreign military bases gives it an unusual, transient character. As an atmospheric Horn of Africa crossroads of cultures and the essential base for Djibouti's extraordinary natural wonders, though, the capital is a worthwhile if brief stop.

Nearby

Lake Assal, the Gulf of Tadjoura and the volcanic interior are within reach.