- Currency Sh Somali Shilling (Sh)
- Language Arabic, Somali
- Best time August – September & December – March
FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Somalia
Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office — the definitive source. Check it close to your travel dates.
Why Somalia
One of Africa's longest coastlines, ancient trading cities and vast desert horizons, a rarely-visited frontier for the most seasoned traveller.
Read more
Somalia is among the least-visited places on earth, a Horn of Africa nation of endless Indian Ocean coastline, ancient port cities and deep nomadic heritage. This is frontier travel in its purest form, for the intrepid few rather than the many.
The country's assets are real: turquoise seas and empty white-sand beaches, historic trading towns like Berbera and the old quarters of Mogadishu, and the striking rock art of Laas Geel, some of the best-preserved in Africa, in the self-declared region of Somaliland.
A serious word of caution: security remains a genuine concern across much of the country. This entry is a portrait of the destination, not an endorsement to travel, always check the latest official advice first.
Somalia in pictures
Nature, culture & hidden gems
Editorial content coming soon
We're hand-picking the standout places, hidden gems and can't-miss activities in Somalia. Meanwhile, the cities above are a great starting point.
Curated Somalia itineraries
Weather & timing in Somalia RIGHT NOW 27° cloudy
Best Jan–Feb, Sep · Shoulder Mar, Aug, Dec
- Jan 31.2° / 23.7°
- Feb 31° / 24.2°
- Mar 31.3° / 25.3°
- Apr 31.2° / 25.7°
- May 29.7° / 25.4°
- Jun 28.4° / 24.5°
- Jul 27.1° / 23.4°
- Aug 27.2° / 23.2°
- Sep 28.2° / 23.7°
- Oct 29.2° / 24.3°
- Nov 29.7° / 24.3°
- Dec 30.9° / 24.2°
Best time to visit
August – September & December – March
Spring (Mar–May)
What to expect — Daytime highs average about 31°C with overnight lows near 25°C.
What's best — Mar is comfortable, with thinner crowds.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
What to expect — Daytime highs average about 28°C with overnight lows near 24°C.
What's best — Aug is comfortable, with thinner crowds.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
What to expect — Daytime highs average about 29°C with overnight lows near 24°C.
What's best — Sep is among the best time to visit — good weather with manageable crowds.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
What to expect — Daytime highs average about 31°C with overnight lows near 24°C, and it stays largely dry.
What's best — Jan and Feb are among the best time to visit — good weather with manageable crowds. Dec also works well.
Know before you go
The practical back-matter — safety, drones and the essentials, in one place.
Safety
Official UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office guidance is the definitive source — check it close to your travel dates.