Aden
Decide whether to visit or live in Aden, then explore current conditions, local people, the map, and concise sourced context.
Check visit & living safetyUpdated Friday, October 16, 2026 · sourced live layer and versioned editorial content
AI-assisted, evidence-constrained research · how this page is made
Would you visit or live in Aden?
Choose your plan and circumstances. The result changes immediately using today's advisory, weather, air-quality, and sourced local signals.
Suitable with normal precautions
Official travel advisories strictly advise against all travel to Yemen due to severe regional risks, active conflict, and security threats from the Houthis.
high source confidence · current planning signal, not a personal-safety guaranteeSee the evidence and calculation
- Current official alerts require extra planning
- Latest air-quality reading is not elevated
- Avoid all travel to the whole country
- Threats from the Houthis
- Regional tensions and safety risks along borders
The score combines dated official-advisory wording, weather, air quality, sourced local context, and your selections. It does not predict crime or individual outcomes. Check local authorities and professional advice before a safety-critical decision.
Climate normals · 2016–2025
When to go: Aden month by month
Judged purely on 2016–2025 weather records, the friendliest months in Aden are typically January, February and December, with average daytime highs around 27–28°C. July is usually the warmest month (average high 36°C), January the coldest (average low 22°C), and July the wettest (about 17 mm). These are long-run averages, not a forecast.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rain (mm) | Sunshine (h/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27.1 | 22.0 | 10 | 10.6 |
| February | 27.7 | 22.1 | 4 | 10.9 |
| March | 29.5 | 23.7 | 9 | 11.5 |
| April | 31.5 | 25.8 | 6 | 11.8 |
| May | 33.6 | 27.8 | 13 | 11.6 |
| June | 35.0 | 29.0 | 9 | 10.8 |
| July | 35.5 | 28.7 | 17 | 9.9 |
| August | 34.6 | 28.2 | 14 | 10.5 |
| September | 34.3 | 28.4 | 11 | 11.1 |
| October | 32.1 | 25.5 | 12 | 11.1 |
| November | 29.9 | 23.4 | 4 | 10.9 |
| December | 28.1 | 22.2 | 7 | 10.4 |
Would you visit or live in Aden?
Contribute your perspective to the aggregated global community ledger.
People and places shaping Aden
AI-assisted local research, regenerated with the dated live layer. Every requested module remains visible; facts appear only after a source check, and unavailable categories explain what is still being researched.
Research updated Monday, October 5, 2026Past and future events in Aden
Upcoming
No future event in Aden currently has a sufficiently reliable date and source. This is checked again on every refresh.
Previously
- Documented history · 1175
After 1175, rebuilding in a more solid form began, and ever since then Aden has been a popular city attracting sailors and merchants from Egypt, Sindh, Gujarat, East Africa and even China.
- Documented history · 1226
The Zaidi tribes were able to defeat the Ayyubids in 1226, but Omar bin Rasul, the founder of the Rasulid state, was able to repel them, so he tightened his control over Aden.
- Documented history · 1513
In 1513, the Portuguese, led by Afonso de Albuquerque, launched an unsuccessful four-day naval siege of Aden.
- Documented history · 1538
The Ottoman Empire took control of the city in 1538.
Sources checked (2)
Interactive geography
See Aden in context
Keep the deeper context
Stable history, culture, districts, and practical reference remain in the main reading flow while the live layers above continue changing.
01 · DistrictsDistricts and local character in Aden
Aden is an ancient port city located in the southern part of the Arabian peninsula on the north coast of the Gulf of Aden. Serving as the capital and principal part of the Aden Governorate, the city encompasses eight districts across its distinct geographic sectors.
How are the historic and modern sectors distributed geographically across the city?
- Crater: The original port sector situated in the area known historically along the north coast.
- Ma'alla: The modern port sector located near the coastal historic zones.
- Tawahi: Formerly known as Steamer Point, situated along the gulf.
- Khormaksar: Positioned on the isthmus connecting Aden to the mainland, hosting diplomatic missions, Aden University's main offices, and Aden International Airport.
- Sheikh Othman and Al-Mansura: Mainland sectors that include an old oasis area and a British-planned town respectively.
- Madinat ash-Sha'b: Located on the mainland, serving as the location of a large power and desalination facility along with additional Aden University faculties.
- Al Buraiqeh: The western harbour peninsula known as Little Aden, which was developed as the site of the oil refinery and tanker port.
Positioned near the eastern approach to the Red Sea, the city spans a strategic coastal geography approximately 170 km east of the Strait of Bab al-Mandab. This geography forms the eastern side of a vast natural harbour while connecting Africa, Asia, and the Middle East as a crucial maritime hub.
02 · OverviewAden, in brief
Aden is an ancient port city situated in the southern part of the Arabian peninsula on the north coast of the Gulf of Aden. Positioned near the eastern approach to the Red Sea, the settlement functions as a crucial maritime hub and gateway connecting Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
Where is Aden located geographically? The municipality lies at latitude 12.77957 and longitude 45.03852, positioned approximately 170 km east of the Strait of Bab al-Mandab. Its coastline encloses the eastern side of a vast natural harbour that forms the modern port, while the western harbour peninsula is known as Little Aden and now falls within the Al Buraiqeh district. The city serves as the capital and principal part of the Aden Governorate, which encompasses eight distinct districts.
How does the terrain shape the city's layout and districts? Historical sectors such as Crater represent the original port, while Ma'alla forms the modern port and Tawahi was formerly known as Steamer Point. Khormaksar occupies the isthmus connecting the urban center to the mainland, hosting diplomatic missions, Aden University's main offices, and Aden International Airport. On the mainland itself, areas include Sheikh Othman, an old oasis zone, alongside the British-planned town of Al-Mansura and Madinat ash-Sha'b, which is the former capital of the South Arabian Federation and now the location of a large power and desalination facility alongside additional Aden University faculties.
What population figures characterize the area? In 2026, Aden had a population estimated at 1,194,160, making it one of the largest cities in Yemen. The settlement also functions as the de facto capital of the internationally recognized government of Yemen, hosting some members of the Cabinet of Yemen mainly in al-Maashiq Palace, and was the seat of the secessionist Southern Transitional Council from 2018 to 2026. Because of its strategic coastal placement, the port remains an enduring focal point for trade and regional administration across the Arabian Sea.
Frequently Asked Questions about Aden
Essential geographic, demographic, currency, and travel context verified from primary records.
01 · Q&AWhere is Aden located and what are its coordinates?
Aden is situated in Yemen at geographic coordinates 12.7796, 45.0385, with an elevation monitored in regional geographic surveys.
02 · Q&AWhat is the population and time zone of Aden?
Aden has a recorded population of approximately 1,079,670 and observes the Asia/Aden time zone.
03 · Q&AWhat languages and currency are used in Aden?
Official and commonly spoken languages in Aden include AR-YE, with YER used for local transactions.
04 · Q&AHow can I check live conditions and daily updates for Aden?
Today's Atlas provides continuous tracking for Aden, featuring real-time weather conditions, daylight cycles, local geographic signals, and verified daily briefs.