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The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against all travel to the border with Eritrea. Click here for more information.
This tiny speck of a country packs a big punch. What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in beauty. Few countries in the world, with the possible exception of Iceland, offer such weird landscapes – think salt lakes, extinct volcanoes, sunken plains, limestone chimneys belching out puffs of steam, basaltic plateaus and majestic canyons. Outdoorsy types will enjoy a good mix of land and water activities, including hiking, diving and whale-shark spotting in the Gulf of Tadjoura.
Barring Djibouti City, the country is refreshingly devoid of large-scale development. It’s all about ecotravel, with some sustainable stays in the hinterland.
Traveling independently around Djibouti may not come cheap, but despite the high cost of living, you’ll surely leave this little corner of Africa with new experiences and wonderful memories.
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Djibouti.
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The focal point of the European Quarter is Place du 27 Juin 1977 (Place Ménélik). With its whitewashed houses and Moorish arcades, this vast square is a strange mix of the Arab and the European. It’s lined with cafés, bars, restaurants and shops. The European Quarter is connected to the Plateau du Serpent area to the north by the Blvd de la République, along which many of the principal administrative buildings can be found.
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The vast and chaotic Place Mahmoud Harbi (Place Rimbaud) is dominated by the minaret of this imposing mosque, Djibouti City’s most iconic building.
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The vast Place Mahmoud Harbi (aka Pl Rimbaud), which is dominated by the minaret of the great Hamoudi Mosque, Djibouti City’s most iconic building, is considered the real soul of the city. Eastward, the chaotic Quartier 1 is a crisscross of alleyways where stalls and shops are lined cheek by jowl. Spreading along Blvd de Bender are the stalls of Les Caisses Market. Crammed with every type of souvenir from woodcarvings to clothing, it’s a colourful place for soaking up the atmosphere.
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In the early evening, the walk along the causeway northwest of the centre makes a very pleasant stroll. The Moorish-inspired presidential palace (not open to the public) marks one end, the harbour of L’Escale, the other. The little marina is home to a variety of boats, from the traditional and picturesque Arab dhows to the simple local fishing skiffs and ferries to Tadjoura and Obock. Further north, running almost parallel to L’Escale, is the city’s port proper, access to which is restricted. From the marina you can see the imposing cranes and cargo boats.
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These adjoining neighbourhoods north of the centre are residential areas where you’ll find many of the foreign embassies and residences, as well as lavish villas and Djibouti’s swankiest hotels.
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Spreading along Blvd de Bender are the stalls of this popular market. Crammed with every type of souvenir from woodcarvings to clothing, it’s a colourful place for soaking up the atmosphere.
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The cathedral has been recently restored and is one of the most eye-catching buildings along Blvd de la République.
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In a street running parallel to Blvd de la République, this Orthodox church, which is popular with the Ethiopian community, is well worth a peek.
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