About Mogadishu
Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, has been a trading port on the Indian Ocean for close to a thousand years. Merchants from Arabia, Persia and India settled in its coral-stone quarters, and the oldest of them, Hamar Weyne and Shangani, still hold mosques with inscriptions from the 13th century. Under Italian rule in the 20th century the city gained arcaded streets, a Norman-style cathedral and seafront villas, and it was once known as the white pearl of the Indian Ocean.
Decades of civil war from 1991 left much of that heritage damaged, and the ruined cathedral is one of its most striking reminders. Since the 2010s the city has been rebuilding fast: new hotels, cafes and seafood restaurants line Lido Beach, and families crowd the sand on Friday afternoons.
Security remains a serious concern, and many governments advise against all travel to Somalia. Visitors who do come generally arrange trusted local hosts and security in advance and move between sights by car. For those who make the trip, Mogadishu offers rare old mosques, lively markets and a sweeping coastline.
Best seasonDecember to March, between the rainy seasons
Ideal stay2-3 days with local arrangements
ArrivingAden Adde International Airport, on the coast beside the city
