Hodeida (Al Hudaydah), Yemen

Al Hudaydah (also Hodeida) is the fourth largest city in Yemen, situated on the Red Sea. Until the 1960s, this charming old city remained a commercial backwater. But with the help of Soviet and Chinese engineers, it grew into one of Yemen's main Red Sea ports, with modern buildings and port facilities. Its ancient heart remains, however: the well-preserved old city has tall, ornate houses in the traditional Yemeni style, surrounded by an imposing medieval wall.

The city has a large number of historical places, particularly in Zabid, which is regarded as one of the most important Islamic towns in the world . The city is not large but it has more than 100 old mosques. Furthermore, the city used to have an old university which is as old as al-Azhar.

Things to See & Do

* Mosques
* Old city

General Information

Cruise Season - Oct - May
Currency - Yemeni rial (YER)
Language - Arabic
Population - 402,600 approx
Electricity - 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style
Time - GMT plus three hours
International Country Telephone Code - + 967

Port Location - The port at Al Hudaydah is located in the lagoon of Al-Kathib.

Transport Links - There is an airfield to the north of the city which offers service to Sanaa, Ta'izz and Aden.