The most popular afternoon excursion from Sanaʻa is to the palace of Dar al-Hajar in the fertile Wadi Dhahr. Constructed as a summer residence for Imam Yahya in the 1920s, the palace has become something of a symbol of Yemen, and it’s not hard to see why – it erupts forth off its rock table like a giant red-and-white toadstool.
Inside, you will find that few of the rooms are furnished, but for most the main attractions are the great rooftop views and the stunning stained-glass windows throwing flecks of multicoloured light across the floor. Don’t miss the ancient subterranean wells that go right through the rock (one is apparently 275m deep).
The surrounding countryside, with its pretty little villages, is a fun place to explore on foot.
