Things to do in Djibouti City

Things to do in Djibouti City

We take a look at the best things to do in Djibouti City – the country's only metropolis

Let's face it: you don't come to Djibouti, a tiny speck of land in the Horn of Africa, to visit its city. They come to Djibouti to swim with the whale sharks, see the belching chimneys at Lac Abbé and frolic in the crystal-clear waters of Lac Assal, the deepest point in Africa.

However, if you have a few hours to spare, it's worth taking a walk around the capital. As you will no doubt discover during your stay, given the heavy military presence, Djibouti City is virtually crime-free and is therefore largely safe to explore on foot - which is exactly what we did.

We take a look at the best things to do in Djibouti City that we collected from our afternoon of city exploration.

Place Ménélik

alt=“Things to do in the city of Djibouti Place Ménélik”>Atlas & BootsPlace Ménélik is the closest thing Djibouti City has to a city center

Officially named Place du 27 on June 27, 1977 - the day Djibouti gained independence from France - Place Ménélik is the closest thing Djibouti City has to a city center. Moorish arcades and whitewashed buildings line the square, giving the area a strange Arab-European feel.

The squares hum first thing in the morning, empty out in the afternoon when the city sleeps, and then come back to life around 3 p.m. Numerous cafés, bars and restaurants line the square and offer many places to stop for food or coffee. We recommend Pizzaiolo right next to the main square for delicious blue cheese pizza.

European Quarter

alt="Things to do in Djibouti City's European Quarter">Atlas & BootsThe Djiboutian government sits in the Assemblée Nationale

The European Quarter around Place Ménélik is home to a variety of shops and administrative buildings, the most impressive of which is the modern Assemblée Nationale, home to the Djiboutian government.

There are also many other options for eating and drinking in the surrounding wider streets as well as in the city's banks, pharmacies and supermarkets. A walk through the neighborhood's wider streets gives a glimpse of the direction the city is heading.

Hamoudi Mosque and the African Quarter

alt="Activities in Djibouti City Mosque">Type; CC BY-SA 2.0The Hamoudi Mosque in the African Quarter

Djibouti City's most famous building, the Hamoudi Mosque, dominates this chaotic corner of Djibouti City. Built in 1906, the mosque is one of the largest in the city and can accommodate over 1,000 worshipers.

The Les Caisses Market in the surrounding Quartier 1, as it is also called, is a haphazard mix of alleys, street stalls and shops. These streets are packed with the city's best souvenir shops, from wood carvings to clothing.

People's Palace

alt="What you should know about Djibouti People's Palace of the City of Djibouti">Atlas & BootsWe couldn’t get that close to the People’s Palace

The People's Palace monument complex is located on the promenade of Rue de Geneve. The complex, a gift from China, was officially opened in 1985 to commemorate and celebrate Djibouti's struggle for independence.

The complex was closed when we visited for security reasons, possibly related to the 40th anniversary of Djibouti's independence - we got different answers from everyone we asked. All we know is that armed soldiers will tell you very sharply not to go near him!

L'Escale

alt="Activities at the Presidential Palace in Djibouti City">Atlas & BootsThe view of the presidential palace from L’Escale

The city's only sunset walk is probably worth the effort, as long as you grab a bite to eat at one of the cafes or restaurants on nearby Rue de Venice (don't let the name fool you). We've heard good things about Moonlight Restaurant.

The marina itself is in disrepair, but the views of the coast and city skyline, dominated by the Presidential Palace (which cannot be entered), make the seawall almost worth the trip. Note that when we visited the road from Ménélik (Ave Adm. Bernard) to L’Escale was closed for the safety reasons mentioned above, meaning it was a very long walk to reach L’Escale.

Cathedral of Notre Dame du Bon Pasteur

alt="Things to do in Djibouti Cathedral">frank64dg; CC BY-SA 2.0The unique Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Bon-Pasteur

The modern but striking architecture of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Bon-Pasteur (Our Lady, Mother of the Good Shepherd) stands out like a sore thumb in Djibouti. The cathedral was built in 1964 on the site of a much older church and serves the Catholic population of Djibouti. Glittering shells are engraved into its concrete facade.

Pit stops

We broke up our day with a stop at Jus de Fruits Chez Mahad just around the corner from Hamoudi Mosque. Mahad offers a huge selection of 45 different refreshing juices and smoothies.

Sings Indian Restaurant, near the old train station, is a great place to end your day in Djibouti City. It was easily our favorite restaurant in town and was open all day.

Further out

• Besuch des Decan Wildlife Refugiums in Dschibuti
• Tauchen in Dschibuti: mein erstes Wrack
• Schwimmen mit Walhaien in Dschibuti
• Salz der Erde: Besuch des Lac Assal in Dschibuti
• Lac Abbé in Dschibuti: Apokalypse wow

Things to do in Djibouti City: the essentials

What: Discover the best things to do in Djibouti City.

Where: We stayed at the Hotel Residence de l’Europe, a mid-range hotel in the center of the city. The rooms are large and functional with excellent WiFi and views of Menelik Square. (Ask for a non-smoking room if you don't smoke.)

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Atlas & Boots

The reception is staffed by English-speaking staff who are friendly and helpful, not least Mustafa, who exudes Djiboutian charm (when he says Hakuna, they say Matata).

The residence is close to restaurants, shops and amenities, including Pizzaiolo down the street, which makes a great blue cheese pizza - though be warned that food and accommodation prices are high in Djibouti, so adjust your expectations accordingly.

Overall, the Residence de l’Europe was a comfortable base to begin our journey.

When: The best time to visit Djibouti is November to January, when whale sharks make their annual visit and the weather is cooler. The shoulder season of October and February to April is also a good time to visit, but you won't see any whale sharks. May-September is extremely hot.

How: Use the Google Map above to find the best things to do in Djibouti City. The town is very small and fairly walkable (although quite busy and dusty).

Note that the city is generally closed from noon to 3 p.m. It's a quiet time for exploring, but most restaurants, shops and cafes are closed. Additionally, you may encounter some hostility toward taking photos. Do not photograph government buildings or the police and always check with stallholders and shopkeepers before taking photos of their products.

Taxis from the airport charge a fixed fare to hotels in the city (around 2,000 DJF / 11 USD). Check the board outside the airport to make sure you are not being overcharged.

Book international flights through skyscanner.net at the best prices.

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Lonely Planet Ethiopia & Djibouti is a useful travel guide to Djibouti, ideal for those who want to both explore the main attractions and take the road less traveled.

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