Hargeisa
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The UK Foreign Office currently advises against travel to all or parts of Somalia. This guide is for a safer time. Check the latest travel advice.
At a glance
- Country
- Somalia
- Region
- Maroodi Jeex (Somaliland)
- Population
- 1.2 million
- Best time to go
- October to March
- Main airport
- Egal International (HGA)
- Coordinates
- 9.56°N, 44.06°E
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Overview
Hargeisa sits on a highland plateau in the north-west of Somalia and is the capital of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland. It was badly damaged in the civil war of the late 1980s and has been largely rebuilt since.
It is a city of busy markets and tea shops rather than grand monuments, but nearby lie some of the finest rock paintings in Africa. Check official travel advice carefully before considering a trip.
Things to see
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Photo: Abdullah Geelah, CC BY-SA 3.0 Laas Geel
Rock shelters about an hour from the city, painted thousands of years ago with vivid cattle and figures.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: MENAFN, Public domain MiG jet memorial
A fighter plane mounted on a plinth in the centre commemorates the bombing of the city during the war.
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Photo: Gerard van de Bruinhorst, CC BY-SA 4.0 Camel market
Herders bring camels, goats and sheep from across the region to this market on the edge of town.
Things to do
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Photo: Clay Gilliland from Chandler, U.S.A., CC BY-SA 2.0 Money changers' market
Stacks of banknotes are piled up on street stalls in the central market, a striking sight.
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Photo: Gerard van de Bruinhorst, CC BY-SA 4.0 Hargeisa International Book Fair
A celebrated annual festival of literature, poetry and music, usually held in summer.
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Photo: Siirski, Public domain Trip to Berbera
The old port on the Gulf of Aden has Ottoman-era buildings and quiet beaches, a few hours' drive north.
Where to stay
City centre
Close to the markets and main roads, with a handful of established hotels.
Hotels in City centreAround the airport road
Newer hotels with secure compounds, favoured by business visitors.
Hotels in Around the airport road
Getting around
Taxis and hired cars with drivers are the usual way around. Excursions outside the city typically require an arranged escort.
The airport is a short drive from the centre.
When to go
The cooler, drier months from October to March are the most comfortable at this altitude. Summers are hot and windy, and the rains fall mainly in spring and autumn.
Plan your trip to Hargeisa
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.