Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Though the name indicates that the sole product is salt, this is something of a misnomer.
Everything from mobile phones to sacks of sultanas is available here. It's almost impos-
sible to point to individual buildings, souqs or sights, but the qat market, in the centre of
the old town, is frenetically busy around lunchtime. The spice souq is every oriental
fantasy brought to life and the small cellars where blinkered camels walk round and round
in circles crushing sesame seeds to make oil is a glimpse into a bygone age. For many the
abiding memory of the city is likely to be of the topsy-turvy, cake-icing-like houses and
the dreamy mosques. Walking the streets of old Sanaʻa as the evening prayer call rings out
across the rooftops is a deeply romantic and exotic experience and something you're nev-
er likely to forget.
Finally, a compulsory activity for tourist and local alike is to climb to the top of one of
the tower houses and relish the ravishing views over the city as the sun sinks below the
surrounding mountains.
