Garowe

Garowe (Somali: Garoowe, Arabic: غاروي‎) is the administrative capital of the Puntland, in northeastern Somalia.

Understand

In the Nugal province of northeastern Somalia, in the heart of the Puntland region, fast-growing Garowe is the seat of the regional parliament, the presidential palace and government ministries, and is a local media and cultural hub.

History

The area was ruled in the 19th century by the Majeerteen Sultanate. It was later incorporated into Italian Somaliland.

Get in

By plane

Flights are limited to a few arrivals per week. Jubba Airways has flights once a week from Mogadishu and from Hargeisa.

• 1 Garowe International Airport. (updated Jun 2019)

By car

Garowe is traversed by a 750-km north–south highway that connects major cities in the northern part of the country, such as Bosaso and Galkayo, with towns in the south.

Buy

Being the retail and fashion hub of Somalia, it is no surprise that shopping is one of Garowe's greatest pleasures. From the local suuqa injida (injimarket) and Oolympic Shopping Mall to top-end shopping malls and everything in between, you will be sure to find something to suit your budget and style.

Eat

Traditional banana and rice.

Drink

Somali shaah (tea)

Sleep

A hotel in Garowe.

Garowe has more than 30 hotels, many of surprisingly high quality, and guest houses.

• Rayaan Park Hotel, isbartiibada Road (bus). Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 14:00. US$15. (updated May 2016)

Stay safe

See the warning on the Somalia article for information on the security situation.

Go next

• Bosaso
• Galkacyo