Zeila

Zeila, on the far northwestern coast of Somalia near the strait where the Red Sea meets the Gulf of Aden, was for centuries one of the great trading ports of the region, a wealthy and cosmopolitan Islamic city and a gateway for commerce and pilgrimage between Africa and Arabia. Today a quiet coastal town, it wears its long history in weathered coral-stone ruins, the remains of old mosques and merchant houses, and a timeless seafront atmosphere. Offshore lie low sandy islands and coral waters rich in birdlife and marine life. Steeped in the romance of the old Red Sea trade, Zeila is an atmospheric and evocative relic of a bygone maritime age.

What you actually see

• The coral-stone ruins - the weathered remains of the old city.
• The old mosques - the traces of Zeila's Islamic heritage.
• The offshore islands - the low sandy isles and coral waters.
• The seafront - the timeless atmosphere of the old port.

When to go

November to February, the cooler months, are the most comfortable on this hot coast; the mild season suits exploring the ruins and seafront, with the offshore islands and their birdlife an added draw. The summer here is intensely hot.

Honest expectations

Zeila lies in a remote corner of the far northwest with very limited facilities, so it is an adventurous, off-the-beaten-path destination whose appeal is atmosphere, history and coastal solitude rather than grand standing monuments. As an evocative relic of the great Red Sea trade, with weathered coral-stone ruins and offshore islands, though, Zeila holds a genuine and haunting charm.

Nearby

The Gulf of Aden coast and the offshore islands lie around the town.