Zeila

Short description of Zeila

Zeila was one of the great ports of the Red Sea approaches for the better part of a thousand years, the outlet for the trade of the Ethiopian highlands and a seat of Islamic learning. The harbour silted, the trade moved to Berbera and Djibouti, and what is left is a half abandoned village of collapsed coral houses and ruined mosques standing in the sand. Offshore the Saad ad-Din islands have beaches, mangroves and a great many birds. It appears only on the long northern loop and the boat out depends entirely on the weather.

AI edited

Recommended length of stay

Travel seasons at a glance

Best time to visit: December – February

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

All highlights and sights

1. The ruined old town and its mosques
2. The Saad ad-Din islands(Day trip)
3. The mangroves and salt flats
4. The beach along the old harbour
5. The fishing village at Lughaya(Day trip)

Ways to get there and away

Airports nearby:

• JIB Djibouti-Ambouli Airport (Djibouti City) · 40 km northwest(recommended)
• BBO Berbera Airport (Berbera) · 193 km southeast
• HGA Egal International Airport (Hargeisa) · 215 km south

Nearest port:

Djibouti City🇩🇯 · 44 km northwest

Nearest railway station:

Nagad (Djibouti City🇩🇯) · 44 km northwest

Map view

Distances

More travel destinations in Somalia

• Mogadishu
• Laas Geel
• Hargeisa
• Berbera
• Kismayo
• Baidoa
• Gaalkacyo
• Burco
• Sheekh
• Boorama
• Daallo Escarpment
• Bosaso