Ali Sabieh

Ali Sabieh is Djibouti's second-largest city and the capital of Ali Sabieh Region. Set about 90 km southwest of Djibouti City and roughly 10 km from the Ethiopian border, it lies along National Highway 5 at an altitude of around 750 metres. This highland setting gives the town a noticeably cooler climate than the coast, making it a popular weekend retreat for residents of the capital.

Founded in 1899 during the French colonial period, Ali Sabieh has long been shaped by transport and trade. Its railway heritage is especially strong: the Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway passes through the town, and Ali Sabieh is a major stop on the line. Colonial-era buildings and a busy local market add to the town's distinct character, while French and Arabic serve as official languages and Somali and Afar are widely spoken.

Around the town, the red-earth landscapes of the Arrey range frame the horizon, with Mount Arrey reaching 1,286 metres and Mount Dadin to the east. The nearby Grand Bara is a vast desert plain known for sand yachting, cross-country races and rock engravings, while the Assamo protected area shelters antelope and offers quieter eco-tourism experiences.

Ali Sabieh's position near Ethiopia makes it a strategic trade and transport hub, reinforced by the railway and the highway toward the border. Sport and community events, an emerging eco-camp at Assamo and the town's cooling highland air are drawing more domestic visitors, while commerce and logistics remain central to the local economy.

For travellers, Ali Sabieh offers a practical gateway to southern Djibouti's deserts, mountains and border landscapes. Leisure visitors come for hiking, sand sports and a break from coastal heat, while business travellers encounter a compact regional centre with transport links into Ethiopia.