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- Harar Jugol (the Walled Old City) — The compact, labyrinthine core of Harar where centuries of daily life, trade and architecture are still lived-in; narrow alleys, painted façades and rooftop views make wandering here feel like stepping into a living museum (and yes, it’s a UNESCO site for good reason).
- The Five Gates of Harar — The original entry points through the city walls (each with its own story); walking between them gives a sense of how Harar regulated trade and visitors over the centuries and offers different perspectives on local neighborhood life.
- Grand Jami (Great) Mosque — One of Harar’s oldest and most important mosques; you can admire its historic courtyard and the surrounding streets even if non-Muslims can’t enter the prayer hall during services, and the area is central
- Harar Jugol (the Walled Old City) — The compact, labyrinthine core of Harar where centuries of daily life, trade and architecture are still lived-in; narrow alleys, painted façades and rooftop views make wandering here feel like stepping into a living museum (and yes, it’s a UNESCO site for good reason).
- The Five Gates of Harar — The original entry points through the city walls (each with its own story); walking between them gives a sense of how Harar regulated trade and visitors over the centuries and offers different perspectives on local neighborhood life.
- Grand Jami (Great) Mosque — One of Harar’s oldest and most important mosques; you can admire its historic courtyard and the surrounding streets even if non-Muslims can’t enter the prayer hall during services, and the area is central to the city’s spiritual life.
- Maison Rimbaud (Rimbaud’s House) — The former residence of French poet Arthur Rimbaud, now a small museum and evocative spot for anyone interested in the town’s quirky connection to global literary history and its 19th-century trading past.
- Harar Cultural/City Museum — Small but rich: artifacts, traditional costumes, weapons and everyday objects that explain Harari social structure, crafts and history; a short visit here gives context that makes wandering the old town much more meaningful.
- Traditional Harari Courtyard Houses — These inward-facing homes with decorated interiors are a window into family life and local aesthetics; several are open to visitors or can be seen on guided walks, showcasing woodcarving, painted motifs and courtyard rituals.
- Hyena-feeding at the City Walls — Harar’s famous nightly hyena-feeding ritual (the “hyena men”) is a uniquely local spectacle—part folklore, part practical relationship with wildlife—and visiting after dark is memorable and safe when done with a local guide.
- Harar Central Market — A busy, colorful market where you can watch (and taste) Hararghe coffee, spices, khat, leather goods and baskets being traded; it’s where the city’s everyday economy and flavors are most on display.
- Painted Houses and Alleyways — The individually painted façades and tiny shrines tucked into lanes are Harar’s visual signature; slow walking here rewards you with photo ops and moments of small, surprising details—door knockers, wall scripts, and rooftop views into courtyard life.
- Traditional Crafts Workshops — Small shops where basket weavers, embroiderers and potters still make goods by hand; visiting a workshop is a hands-on way to see craft techniques, hear local stories, and buy authentic souvenirs that fund local families.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.