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Mogadishu
Capital and largest city of Somalia

Mogadishu

Mogadishu, locally known as Xamar or Hamar, is the capital and most populous city of Somalia.

Plan a trip to Mogadishu→From Hargeisa

The city has served as an important port connecting traders across the Indian Ocean for millennia and has an estimated urban population of 4,126,815.

Get in

Getting to Mogadishu

Flights arrive at Mogadishu International Airport, also known as

  1. 01
    Aden Adde International Airport
See

Worth seeing

The central city, especially the old Shangani quarter (Degmada Shangaani), is filled with historic sights and contains a mix of Islamic and Italian colonial architecture. Decades of conflict have however left most of it in ruins. There is an ongoing effort to restore some important landmarks, including the main cathedral. Visitors should have a security guard accompany them.

  1. 01
    Arba-Rucun Mosque
  2. 02
    Arch of Triumph

    Triumphal arch built by the Italians in 1936.

  3. 03
    Banadir Governor Office

    The government building where the governor stays.

  4. 04
    Black Hawk Down Crash Site

    There are plans to collect the ruins in a safe area so that people can easily see it without protection.

  5. 05
    Ruins of Mogadishu Cathedral

    Built during the colonial years of Italian Somaliland, the cathedral has barely survived the decades of civil war.

  6. 06
    Mogadishu Lighthouse

    Italian colonial lighthouse that has been in ruins since the war, yet still retains its charm.

Do

Things to do

  1. 01
    National Theatre of Somalia

    Under renovation as of 2021.

  2. 02
    Jaziira Beach

    Lovely and quiet place with resorts, hotels and restaurants with a white, sandy, sunny beach that is popular with everyone.

  3. 03
    Liido Beach

    Built for the Italian colonialists, also known as Mogadishu Miami Beach.

Eat

Where to eat

International cuisine can be found at Nasa Hablod Restaurant inside Hotel Nasa Hablod and at the Sahafi Hotel. These are probably the safest options for travelers.

  1. 01
    Liido Seafood Restaurant

    Offers local and international delicacies, especially seafood related.

  2. 02
    Istanbul Restaurant

    Serves local and Turkish food.

Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons (see file page), Wikimedia Commons.