10 Places in Mogadishu That You Shouldn't Miss

Posted by Shahid Raza on February 11th, 2020

Mogadishu is the capital of Somalia. It is also known as the Xamar or Hamar. This city is located in the coastal Banadir region on the Indian Ocean. This city has been an important port for millennia. lanning a trip to Mogadishu? If your answer is yes, then you should get in touch with a professional travel agency to book cheap flights to Mogadishu, Somalia without any further delay. 

When you are going to Mogadishu, below is a list of 10 places that you should do during your trip:

1: Visit Shanghai Old City 

First on the list is the Shanghai old city. The haunting ruins of Shanghai Old City stand present on the white sand shores of the Indian Ocean tell us about the fascinating past. During the colonial era, the wealthy Italians were living in this old town. This place has many buildings and gardens. Have a look at the narrow passageways and have a look at the intricate carvings on doors, windows, and on the hidden corners. Go to one of the restaurants along the shore and enjoy the beautiful view. During the weekends, local people visit this place, swim in the warm sea that creates a lively atmosphere.

2: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 

This place is located in Mogadishu city in Banaadir. This landmark cenotaph is for the obscure fighter and all the officers that were slaughtered in any war. You can easily find such tombs in many different countries and these are typically the prominent national landmarks. The numerous fighters have kicked the bucket in the war with their remaining parts stays unidentified. A development has emerged to honor these troopers with the help of a solitary tomb that contains the group of one unidentified officer. This place is definitely a historic and well-known place located in the city. 

3: Union Mosque 

It is the largest religious site in the Horn of Africa. This mosque is having the capacity to accommodate over 10,000 people. It is important to note that the Union mosque acts as the cultural site for the people of Somalia. As the name suggests, the mosque symbolizes the multiculturalism and mutual respect that is present between the Somali citizens. The building that is present near the Indian Ocean is new. It was built in 1987 but it never stands out as a remarkable example of traditional eastern architecture.

4: Mogadishu Cathedral 

This was built by the Italian authorities that are located in Mogadishu. There was an attack on a church during the 1989 civil war. The last Bishop named Salvatore Colombo was killed by the armed insurgents. Note that Catholicism has grown rapidly in the last few decades but now it is facing serious competition from Evangelical and Pentecostal churches along with Islam.

5: Black Hawk Down Crash Site Museum 

At the Black Hawk Down crash site museum, you will see the place where a U.S. helicopter crashed during the 16-hour long Battle of Mogadishu that occurred in1993. The helicopter was present on the site till 2013 and after that, it was sent back to the United States. The one-hour long operation on the 3 October turned into a long stand-off that resulted in numerous casualties for both the US forces and members of the Somali military. The entire story of the event was told in a 2001 famous movie “Black Hawk Down,” directed by Ridley Scott. 

6: Bakaara Market 

It is the largest open market in Somalia. The name Bakaaraha is derived from a Somali word that is used for storage, Baqaar. The market is having hundreds of small stalls and buildings that are spread across several blocks of Somalia’s capital. Bakaara Market is not just a place for buying food, exotic fruits, spices, traditional, and modern clothes. During the Civil war, this market has been the place to buy everything starting from pistol to anti-aircraft weapons. 

7: Jazeera Beach 

This beach is located on the outskirts of the city. This beach is visited by family and friends. This beach attracts visitors with its serenity and opportunity to have a look at the stunning views of the horizon. This is definitely a very popular site and it is never too crowded and you can easily find a quiet spot for yourself to bask in the sun, read your favorite book, enjoy a refreshing drink, and simply enjoy the view. The crystal-clear turquoise water of the beach provides you ideal conditions for swimming.

8: Gezira Beach 

Different Gezira Beach activities occurring on the beach have made this area popular. You can easily rent a chair, an umbrella, take a dip, or you can enjoy a boat ride. Moreover, you can also try out some local specialties as there are many different cafes and restaurants. If you are in search of a piece of handmade jewelry or some clothing, then you can check out the stalls present at the small onsite market.

9: Liido Beach 

This was built specifically for the Italian colonialists. It is one of the best beaches in Mogadishu. Thousands of people including both the local and foreigners visit this place on weekends. It is having a beachfront resort. People spend quality time at Lido Beach and they stay till dusk to watch the beautiful night skyline and the deep blue ocean. 

10: Governor House Mogadishu 

This was built during the colonial period in the capital city of Mogadishu. It is located in present-day southern Somalia. This was used as a municipality building of Mogadishu and it is one of the important government offices in Somalia. This was the first place where the Somali flag was waved.

These were the ten things that you should visit when you are going to have a trip to Mogadishu, Somalia. Moreover, if you are going to travel from the UK, then to make your journey easy, book flight tickets from UK to Mogadishu by contacting a renowned travel agency. An expert travel agency like Euro Africa Travel will end all your travel worries.