Major city · Yemen
Zabidزبيد
Half a day is enough to see the Great Mosque and old town. Stay overnight only if you have time to spare; most travellers pass through on the way to Al Hudayda or Aden.
Zabid is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Yemen's oldest towns, once a capital and a centre of Islamic learning. The old town's mud-brick architecture and the Great Mosque are the main draws. The site is on the List of World Heritage in Danger, and infrastructure is limited. Most visitors stop for a few hours en route along the coastal plain.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- YER
- Best months
- Oct–Mar (cooler and drier)
- avoid Apr–Sep (extreme heat), Jun–Aug (hottest)
- Airport
- HOD
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Security advice in this region can change within a dayCheck your own government travel advice for Yemen before …
- Middle East ↗Security advice in this region can change within a day; re-read your government's page before departure and again before any border or regional flight.
- Middle East ↗Public drunkenness, public displays of affection and offensive gestures or online posts can lead to arrest in the Gulf states and Iran; dress modestly outside beaches and hotels.
- Yemen ↗Check your own government travel advice for Yemen before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Yemen ↗No independent tourist entry route is documented here.
- Yemen ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Yemen before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Zabid194 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Zabid, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?US dollars and Saudi riyals in cash carry most payments: see Insurance & payments above.Yemen-wide
- SafetyYemen is in a state of armed conflict.
- Emergency numbers194 police · 191 fire · 191 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportHOD Hodeidah International Airport (About 60 km (37 mi) north; flights are limited and subject to security conditions.HOD Hodeidah International Airport (About 37 mi (60 km) north; flights are limited and subject to security conditions.
- Getting aroundThe old town is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Shared taxi (local bus) within towncheckYER 500–1,000
- Budget bedBasic guesthouse room, a night, per roomYER 15,000
- Mid-range bedBasic guesthouse room, a night, per roomYER 25,000
- High-end bedBasic guesthouse room, a night, per roomYER 40,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget YER 20,000 · Mid YER 35,000 · High YER 60,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HOD Hodeidah International Airport (About 60 km (37 mi) north; flights are limited and subject to security conditions. Check current status.)HOD Hodeidah International Airport (About 37 mi (60 km) north; flights are limited and subject to security conditions. Check current status.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
May
Avoid
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Jun
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Jul
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Aug
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Sep
Avoid
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Oct
Best
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Nov
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Aug (3 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Zabid: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
1 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Apr
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
2 rd
May
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
2 rd
Jun
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
1 rd
Jul
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
2 rd
Aug
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
3 rd
Sep
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
2 rd
Oct
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
Nov
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The old town is walkable. For longer distances, shared taxis (buses) or private hire are the only options. Roads are rough in places.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Al Hudayda
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Shared taxi or private car, about 1 h north on the coastal road
Red Sea port city with a corniche and fish market.
Aden
cautionDoor to door: About 5 h
Shared taxi or private car via the coastal road, about 4–5 h
Long drive; check security conditions along the route.
Ta'izz
cautionDoor to door: About 3 h
Shared taxi or private car, about 2–3 h east via mountain roads
Mountain city with a historic citadel; road conditions and security vary.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Zabid town centre
A few basic guesthouses near the Great Mosque. Expect very simple accommodation.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- YER 15,000–25,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- YER 25,000–40,000 excl. bed
- High
- YER 40,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic guesthouse room1 × 1 night × YER 25,000 | YER 25,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × YER 35,000 | YER 70,000 |
| Shared taxi from Al Hudayda, one way2 × YER 5,000 · check | YER 10,000 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | YER 15,800 |
| Trip total≈ YER 60,400 per person per day, bed included | YER 120,800 |
2026 estimate in Yemeni rials; prices are volatile. US dollars are widely accepted.
Prices of common things
| Shared taxi (local bus) within towncheck | YER 500–1,000 |
| Simple meal (rice, bread, tea)check | YER 2,000–4,000 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L)check | YER 500–1,000 |
| Guide for the old town (informal)negotiate | YER 5,000–10,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Zabid is on the UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger; some buildings are in poor condition.
- Infrastructure is limited: bring cash (Yemeni rials or US dollars), water and snacks.
- Security situation in Yemen is volatile; check your government's travel advice before planning a trip.
- Photography of military or government buildings may be restricted; ask locally.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 194
- Fire
- 191
- Ambulance
- 191
Pocket card
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Zabidزبيد
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
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إلى هذا العنوان، من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police194
- Fire191
- Ambulance191
Embassy
Most embassies are in Sana'a (Houthi-controlled) or Aden (recognised government). Check your government's current representation.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shared taxi Al Hudayda → Zabid: about YER 5,000, about 1 h (check)
- Shared taxi Zabid → Aden: about YER 15,000–20,000, about 4–5 h (check)
Say or show
- السلام عليكم — Hello (as-salamu alaykum)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- بكم؟ — How much? (bikam?)
- أين المسجد؟ — Where is the mosque? (ayn al-masjid?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Zabid. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar (cooler and drier) · avoid Apr–Sep (extreme heat), Jun–Aug (hottest)
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the Great Mosque and the old town with opening hours (check).
- Eat pages for local restaurants (check).
- Transport page for the coastal road (check).
Sources
- officialUNESCO — Zabid
- secondaryWikivoyage: Zabid, revision 4801282 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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