Place du 27 juin is a specific urban landmark in the Djibouti destination. The square was formerly called Place Ménélik, is heavily shaded and is known for its many café terraces and souvenir vendors.
City Squares and Bazaars
Open-air bazaars lie between Place du 27 juin and Place Mahmoud-Harbi. They offer locally made Djiboutian handicrafts, including traditional daggers, baskets, bags and beaded necklaces. The bazaars therefore offer a different focus from the café terraces and souvenir trade at Place du 27 juin: locally made products take centre stage here.
Moucha and Maskali Nearby
The islands of Moucha and Maskali are close to the destination and 45 minutes from the capital, Djibouti. They have fine sandy beaches and mangrove forests with stilt roots in salt water. At the entrance to the Gulf of Tadjourah, they are exposed coral reefs; the islands are also a marine protected area. The islands bring together beaches, mangroves and reefs. Activities mentioned include diving and snorkelling.
More to Discover in the Wider Destination of Djibouti
In the wider destination of Djibouti, the historical perspective reaches back to the founding of the city of Djibouti, which was established around 1886 to 1900. The Aburma rock-art site adds a cultural dimension: it is considered East Africa’s most important rock-art site and contains further, more complex prehistoric rock art. Obock is also part of this broader area. The town is a starting point for trips to the mangroves of Godoria and Khor Angar, which are made in small motorboats.
At Lake Assal, the salt concentration is 35 grams per litre, ten times that of the Red Sea. A different landscape can be seen at Goubet Al-Kharab: the bay is dominated by the dome-shaped Île du Diable. It was formed by tectonic movements associated with the formation of the Assal Rift.
Lake Abbé is a day trip from the capital. The route passes through the Grand Bara Desert and the town of Dikhil; travel times may vary. The Djalelo Valley is known for its especially high concentration of gerenuks, also called giraffe gazelles. The Godoria mangrove forest comprises a maze of channels and mangrove roots, where numerous animal and plant species are found. Numerous fish, including clownfish and snake eels, are observed around the coral reefs near Moucha. When planning a trip in the wider destination of Djibouti, these examples offer different experiences: a visit to Lake Abbé involves a day trip via Grand Bara and Dikhil. Djalelo, Godoria and the reefs near Moucha, by contrast, showcase wildlife and habitats—from gerenuks and mangroves to fish.
Discover more destinations: Djibouti, Arta.
For the broader travel overview: Djibouti.
