Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Last Updated On: June 18, 2026
Sanaa is the capital city of Yemen, located in the western highlands of the country within the Amanat Al Asimah governorate. Situated at approximately 15.3694° N latitude and 44.1910° E longitude, the city covers about 200 sq km (77 sq mi) and has an estimated population of around 2.6 million people.
Location Map of Sanaa, Yemen
About Map: The map shows the location of Sanaa in the Yemen.
Where is Sanaa Located?
Sanaa is the capital and largest city of Yeman. It is located 15.35 latitude and 44.21 longitude and it is situated at elevation 2253 meters above sea level. It covers and area of 126 sq km (49 sq mi) and Sanaa has a population of 1,937,451.
Sanaa, Yemen Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Sanaa |
| Governorate | Sana'a City |
| Country | Yemen |
| National Capital | Sanaa |
| Region | Yemeni Highlands |
| Latitude | 15.3694° N |
| Longitude | 44.1910° E |
| Elevation | 7,382 ft (2,250 m) |
| Land Area | 49 sq mi |
| Water Area | Includes seasonal wadis and reservoirs |
| Total Area | 49 sq mi |
| Population (Latest Estimate) | Approximately 3.0 million |
| Population Density | Approximately 61,200 per sq mi |
| Postal Codes | Not widely used |
| Area Code | +967 1 |
| Time Zone Standard | Arabia Standard Time (UTC+3) |
| Time Zone Daylight | No daylight saving time observed |
| Currency | Yemeni Rial (YER) |
| Administrative Code | Sana'a City Municipality |
| National Representation | Parliamentary Constituencies |
Nearby Cities to Sanaa, Yemen
- Shibam Kawkaban, Yemen - 24 mi Northwest
- Amran, Yemen - 31 mi North
- Dhamar, Yemen - 61 mi South
- Rada'a, Yemen - 99 mi Southeast
- Ibb, Yemen - 120 mi South
- Taiz, Yemen - 160 mi South
- Al Hudaydah, Yemen - 142 mi West
- Sa'dah, Yemen - 151 mi North
- Zabid, Yemen - 171 mi Southwest
- Marib, Yemen - 108 mi East
Sanaa, Yemen Climate and Weather Overview
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Avg Rainfall (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 71 | 42 | 0.3 |
| April | 80 | 52 | 1.4 |
| July | 76 | 57 | 3.8 |
| October | 75 | 50 | 0.8 |
| Annual | 76 | 50 | 11.0 |
| Climate Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Climate Classification (Köppen) | BSh - Semi-Arid Highland Climate |
| Annual Rainfall | Approximately 11 inches |
| Annual Sunshine Days | More than 3,000 sunshine hours |
| Hurricane/Tornado Risk | Very Low |
| Snowfall | No snowfall |
Driving Distances from Sanaa, Yemen
| City | Governorate | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shibam Kawkaban | Sana'a | 24 | 45 min |
| Amran | Amran | 31 | 50 min |
| Dhamar | Dhamar | 61 | 1 hr 30 min |
| Marib | Marib | 108 | 2 hr 30 min |
| Rada'a | Al Bayda | 99 | 2 hr 20 min |
| Ibb | Ibb | 120 | 2 hr 45 min |
| Al Hudaydah | Al Hudaydah | 142 | 3 hr |
| Sa'dah | Sa'dah | 151 | 3 hr 15 min |
| Taiz | Taiz | 160 | 3 hr 30 min |
| Zabid | Al Hudaydah | 171 | 3 hr 45 min |
Transportation and Connectivity in Sanaa, Yemen
| Airport Name | Sana'a International Airport |
| IATA Code | SAH |
| Port | Access via Port of Al Hudaydah |
| Major Highways | Sanaa-Taiz Road, Sanaa-Marib Road, Sanaa-Al Hudaydah Road |
| Train Service | No Railway Service |
| Local Transit Service | Minibuses, Shared Taxis and Private Transport |
- Sanaa-Taiz Road - Major route connecting the capital with southern Yemen.
- Sanaa-Marib Road - Important highway linking the capital with eastern regions.
- Sanaa-Al Hudaydah Road - Connects the highlands with the Red Sea coast.
- Sana'a International Airport - Main international gateway serving the capital.
- Shared Taxi Network - Widely used transportation system across the metropolitan area.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Sanaa, Yemen
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Old City of Sana'a | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Al Saleh Mosque | Religious Landmark |
| Bab al-Yemen | Historic City Gate |
| National Museum of Yemen | Museum |
| Dar al-Hajar | Historic Palace |
| Great Mosque of Sana'a | Historic Mosque |
| Tahrir Square | Public Square |
| Al-Qasimi Market | Traditional Market |
| Wadi Dhahr | Scenic Valley |
| Al Tawilah Gardens | Urban Park |
Places to Visit in Sanaa, Yemen
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Old City of Sana'a | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Al Saleh Mosque | Religious Landmark |
| Bab al-Yemen | Historic City Gate |
| National Museum of Yemen | Museum |
| Dar al-Hajar | Historic Palace |
| Great Mosque of Sana'a | Historic Mosque |
| Tahrir Square | Public Square |
| Al-Qasimi Market | Traditional Market |
| Wadi Dhahr | Scenic Valley |
| Al Tawilah Gardens | Urban Park |
Colleges and Universities in Sanaa, Yemen
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sana'a University | Public | University | Largest university in Yemen |
| University of Science and Technology | Private | University | Science and technology programs |
| Yemenia University | Private | University | Business and management studies |
| Al-Andalus University | Private | University | Applied sciences |
| Future University | Private | University | Information technology and business |
Waterbodies in Sanaa, Yemen
Wadi Dhahr, Wadi Al Saila, Wadi Zahr, Al Rosha Reservoir, Al Dhalea Water Basin, Seasonal Highland Streams, Wadi Surdud Basin, Wadi Raghwan, Groundwater Aquifers, Sana'a Basin Water Resources
Golf Courses in Sanaa, Yemen
No major championship golf courses currently operate in Sanaa. Recreational sports facilities and private clubs are more common than dedicated golf venues in the city.
Sanaa, Yemen - Key Historical Facts
- Sanaa is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a history spanning more than 2,500 years.
- The city became an important center of trade and culture along ancient caravan routes across Arabia.
- Sanaa played a significant role in the spread of Islam and became a major religious center in the region.
- The Old City of Sana'a is renowned for its distinctive multi-story tower houses and historic architecture.
- Its historic urban landscape earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1986.
- Today, Sanaa remains Yemen's historic and political capital and one of the most culturally significant cities in the Arabian Peninsula.
References
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- Encyclopaedia Britannica - Sanaa
- Old City of Sana'a - UNESCO
- United Nations Information Resources
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