Tarim
A Hadhramaut town of scholars and palaces, with the tallest mud-brick minaret anywhere.
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Tarim has been a centre of Islamic learning for a very long time and is said to hold more mosques than any other town of its size, along with the Al-Ahgaff library and its collection of manuscripts. The minaret of the Al-Mihdhar mosque rises around fifty metres in mud brick, generally described as the tallest structure of its kind in the world. Palaces built by Hadhrami families who made fortunes in Southeast Asia stand around the town in a startling mix of styles.
What you actually see
- The Al-Mihdhar minaret - around fifty metres of mud brick, the tallest of its kind.
- The palaces - the houses built with fortunes made in Southeast Asia.
- The Al-Ahgaff library - the manuscript collection the town is known for.
- The mosques - the density that gives the town its scholarly reputation.
When to go
October to March is the cool season. Summer in the wadi is extremely hot. Visits to the palaces must be arranged.
Honest expectations
Non-Muslims are generally not admitted to the mosques. Palace interiors need arranging and several are in poor repair. Access to mainland Yemen requires arrangements made well in advance.
Nearby
Seiyun is west, and Shibam is beyond it.
What to pack for Tarim
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.