DjiboutiCapital
Djibouti · Country profile
Djibouti is the port capital of the small state of the Horn of Africa, a hot, windblown city of the gulf where the trade routes of the region, the shipping lanes of the Red Sea and the railways of the interior meet at the very corner of the continent. It is the seat of the government and of the great international port of the country, with its harbours, its markets, its mosque and its French colonial streets laid out along the baking shores of the gulf. The astonishing geography of the country surrounds the capital, from the salt lakes of the interior, where the flamingos gather and the shores smell of the brine, to the underwater forests and the migrating whales of the gulf. A curious, strategic and seriously hot city, Djibouti is the memorable gateway to one of the most otherworldly countries of the continent.
About Djibouti
Djibouti is the capital of Djibouti. The city's documented population is around 600,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Djiboutian Franc (DJF) and French and Arabic are spoken; the dialling code is +253.
The Port Capital of the Horn at the Corner of the Gulf
Djibouti is a distinct, overlooked port capital whose real treasures lie in the astonishing landscape that surrounds it. The town itself is small, walkable in the cooler hours and built around the markets, the mosques and the colonial streets of the old quarter, while a day trip to the salt lakes of the interior, the towering chimneys of the volcano on the border and the whale shark season of the gulf carries the wonder of the country. The days are guarded against the heat, built around the early mornings and the evenings. Weird, friendly and genuinely unique, it rewards those who dig past the port city to the geological marvels on every side.
The Cooler Months, the Franc and the Shade of the Midday
The heat of Djibouti is among the most extreme of any capital on earth, with the punishing summer months and the still-warm but bearable winter of the tourist season. The Djiboutian franc is the currency and the Arabic and the French the languages, with the English thin away from the docks. The essentials are the market, the old quarter and the seafront, and the big excursions to the salt lakes and the whale sharks run from the town. The covers of the head, the water bottle and the pole taxis are the practical kit, and the days plan around the shade and the breeze of the waterfront.
The Old Market, the Salt Lake and the Whale Season of the Winter
The central market and the old quarter of the capital, with their khat trading, their cloth stalls and their French colonial facades, hold the authentic face of the city between the modern port terminals. The mosque of the independence anchors the town, and the beaches and the mangroves of the coast edge give the swimming and the birdlife close by. The great salt lake of the Assal, at the landlocked low point below the sea, the lake of the flamingos, and the whale sharks of the gulf in the winter months complete the extraordinary natural circuit of one of the most unique corners of Africa.
Report an error or suggest an update
- Country
- Djibouti
- Population
- 600,000
- Capital
- Djibouti
- Region
- Africa
- Currency
- Djiboutian Franc (DJF)
- Languages
- French, Arabic
- Calling code
- +253
- Country code
- DJ
Entry requirements for Djibouti
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Djibouti for tourism.
Frequently asked questions
Is Djibouti the capital of Djibouti?
Yes — Djibouti is the capital of Djibouti.
What currency do I need in Djibouti?
The local currency is the Djiboutian Franc (DJF). Languages spoken in Djibouti include French and Arabic.
What is the dialling code for Djibouti?
The international dialling code for Djibouti is +253.
Do I need a visa to visit Djibouti?
It depends on your passport. For the origins we track, the current tourism visa status is Australia (e-visa), Canada (e-visa), France (e-visa), Germany (e-visa) and India (e-visa). Check the entry requirements tool for your own nationality.
Flying out of Djibouti? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.