Stand on the ridge above Crater in the late afternoon and the whole shape of Aden becomes clear: the old volcanic peninsula, the harbour wrapped around it, and the tankers waiting off Little Aden. Below you, the streets of Crater run down to the water, and the call to prayer carries up from the mosques.
Aden suits travellers who are interested in ports, layers of history and everyday street life rather than polished resorts. The city rewards slow wandering: a shopping district, a fish market, a fortress on a rock, and long stretches of beach.
This guide covers the sights named in the Wikivoyage listings for Tawahi, Ma'alla, Crater and Sirah, plus the activities the city is known for. It is organised so you can pick a few things for a short stay or string them together for a full day.
Top things to do in Aden
1. Cisterns of Tawila
The Cisterns of Tawila are the great water storage tanks in Crater, cut into the rock and fed by runoff from the surrounding hills. They are the most striking single sight in the old city and worth time on their own.
Pair them with the rest of Crater, since the Central market, the mosques and the museums are all in the same district. Go earlier in the day so you have energy left for walking afterwards.
2. Sira Fortress
Sira Fortress is a military fortress on the island of Sirah, dating back to the 11th century and still in use by the Yemeni military. The setting, on its own rock at the harbour mouth, is what makes it memorable.
Because it remains an active military site, treat it as something to view and photograph from the surrounding area rather than something to walk into. Combine it with the Sirah fish market nearby.
3. Crater shopping district and Central market
Crater is the original port quarter, and its shopping district and Central market are where the city's daily life is most visible. This is the place to spend an unhurried hour or two.
Go with no fixed list and let the market set the pace. It sits naturally between the Cisterns of Tawila and the Crater museums, so it works well as the middle of a Crater morning.
4. National Museum
The National Museum is in Crater, near Sirah, with its back side facing the sea. It is the main museum stop in the old city.
Note the location carefully, since the description places it near Sirah with the sea behind it, and combine the visit with the Central market and the Cisterns while you are in the district.
5. Aden Military Museum
The Aden Military Museum is also in Crater, and it covers the city's long role as a fortified port and garrison. It is a natural companion to Sira Fortress, which is still a working military site.
Do it in the same Crater circuit as the National Museum, since both are in the same district.
6. Aidrus Mosque
The Aidrus Mosque is a Sufi mosque in Crater, built during the late 15th or early 16th century and rebuilt after being destroyed in 1859. Its age and its rebuilding give it a particular place in the city's story.
Visit as part of a walk through Crater rather than as a separate trip, and remember it is a working place of worship.
7. Aban Mosque
The Aban Mosque is the principal mosque in Aden, founded in 771 AD. It is one of the oldest landmarks you can name in the city.
It sits in Crater with the other mosques and markets, so fold it into the same walk as the Aidrus Mosque and the Central market.
8. Big Ben Aden
Big Ben Aden is a clock tower in Tawahi, the quarter formerly known as Steamer Point. It is a small sight, but it anchors the old colonial waterfront area.
Use it as a starting point for Tawahi and walk on from there to the other Steamer Point sights.
9. Queen Victoria Park
Queen Victoria Park in Tawahi features a statue of Queen Victoria. It is a quiet stop in a district full of reminders of the British period.
Combine it with Big Ben Aden and St. Francis of Assisi Church, which are all in Tawahi.
10. St. Francis of Assisi Church
St. Francis of Assisi Church is in Tawahi, part of the same colonial-era layer of the city as the park and the clock tower.
See it on the same Tawahi walk, and note the old "Hôtel Univers", where Arthur Rimbaud lived, which is also in this quarter. Do not confuse it with the Rambow Hotel in Crater, which is not Rimbaud's hotel.
11. Tourist Port
The Tourist Port is in Tawahi, on the Steamer Point waterfront. It is the natural place to watch the harbour that made Aden what it is.
Time it for late afternoon, when the light on the water is best, and pair it with the Tawahi sights above.
12. Fish market and Fisherman Bay
The fish market and Fisherman Bay are in Sirah, close to the water and to Sira Fortress. This is where the working side of the port is easiest to see.
Go in the morning for the market at its liveliest, and continue to Sira Fortress and Aden Mall afterwards.
13. Aden Mall
Aden Mall is in Sirah, and it is the modern counterpart to the old markets in Crater. It is a straightforward stop if you want air conditioning and a break from walking.
It fits neatly at the end of a Sirah circuit with the fish market and Sira Fortress.
14. Gold Mohur Beach and Elephant Bay Hotel
Gold Mohur Beach is one of the beach spots the city is known for, and a visit to it and the Elephant Bay Hotel is recommended. Aden is especially known for its beaches and swimming.
Snorkelling is available here, though the water is not as clear as at Sharm El-Sheikh. For women travelling alone, there is also a women-only beach at the Sheraton Hotel.
15. Ma'alla shopping
Ma'alla, the modern port quarter, has its own shopping venue. It is a useful contrast to the older market in Crater.
Slot it in when you are moving between Tawahi and Crater, since it lies between the two.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start in Crater with the Cisterns of Tawila while it is still cool, then walk through the Crater shopping district and Central market. Continue to the National Museum and the Aden Military Museum, and finish the morning at the Aidrus Mosque and the Aban Mosque.
Afternoon: Move to Sirah for the fish market and Fisherman Bay, then view Sira Fortress from the surrounding area. Stop at Aden Mall for a break before heading to Tawahi.
Evening: Walk Tawahi's Steamer Point: Big Ben Aden, Queen Victoria Park and St. Francis of Assisi Church, noting the old "Hôtel Univers" where Arthur Rimbaud lived. End at the Tourist Port for the sunset over the harbour, then try a fresh juice bar or a small restaurant with kubz.
Frequently asked questions
What is Aden best known for?
Aden is known for its beaches and swimming, and it has the only considerable nightlife in Yemen. It is also a port city with a long history, visible in Crater, Tawahi and Sirah.
Where can I swim or snorkel?
Gold Mohur Beach and the Elephant Bay Hotel are the recommended beach stop, and excellent snorkelling is available there, though the water is not as clear as at Sharm El-Sheikh. Women travelling alone can use the women-only beach at the Sheraton Hotel.
What local activities can I try?
Locals play snooker, hang out at fresh juice bars and small restaurants with kubz, chew betel and chew qat. Note that chewing betel and qat both cause cancer in the long run; betel also stains teeth and gums red, and first-time qat use generally brings restlessness, insomnia and mouth fatigue.
Is it worth climbing for the views?
Climbing on the mountain tops gives great views of the city, but beware of the no trespassing zone and take abundant water and sun screening equipment.
Pick the sights that match your interests, check the current situation locally before you travel, and start mapping out your days in Aden.