Anyone in Hargeisa will tell you that the city isn't even part of Somalia, but rather the self-proclaimed capital of Somaliland, a breakaway state that has been ruling on its own since 1991, without the approval of Somalia's federal government or the UN. While the political system based in Hargeisa's mansions is officially non-existent – at least in the perspective of outsiders – there's a lot to like about this former British East African vassal.

Hargeisa is located at an elevation of 1,334 meters in a valley in the Galgodon (Ogo) highlands. The city is a commercial hub for precious stone cutting, building, retail services, and trading, among other things, and is home to Neolithic rock art.

To begin with, the environment is pretty quiet and non-violent. There are memorials of the enormous resistance to Siad Barre's dictatorial reign in the 1990s, as well as indicators of law and order not seen elsewhere in the country: traffic lights, police, and even the occasional tourist!

Location: Somalia

The town of Zeila (also known as Seylac) calls brave travelers to the far-flung north-western corner of the country, where the dry and arid land of sand dunes and rocky hills crashes into the pearly blue of the Aden Gulf, continuing the Somaliland (as opposed to Somalia) motif. Zeila was once encircled by a massive wall with five gates: Bab al Sahil and Bab al-jadd on the north, and Bab al Sahil and Bab al-jadd on the south. On the east, Bab Abdulqadir, on the west, Bab al-Sahil, and on the south, Bab Ashurbura.

The site, which is barely a stone's throw from the Djiboutian border, can only be reached by 4X4. Visitors are greeted with a mosaic of destroyed Muslim palaces and weathered colonial façade that stand like dust-caked spectres of a bygone past once inside. Others will travel to the stunning Zeila Coast, where rusty shipwrecks litter the shore and the Indian Ocean's rolling waves spray whitewash into the air.

Location: Awdal, Somaliland

One of the most intriguing tourist activities in Somalia is climbing up to the highlands via parched rocks. The many alcoves and underground passages here offer a raw and eerie view of antiquity in these places, and are home to some of the earliest cave paintings ever uncovered on the Horn of Africa.

Local tourism organizations organize group tours to the Laas Geel area, which has an old history extending back many thousand years. Hiking will lead you to dozens of caves hidden among massive rocks and slopes. The tour guides will provide you with a wealth of information on cave history. The murals on the cave walls will tell you a lot about ancient Somalian culture and lifestyle. Your Instagram followers will be impressed by the photos and videos you take in the Laas Geel caverns. Colorful cattle motifs, creative portrayals of shepherds tending to their flocks, and even what are supposed to be deified cows can all be seen! But what's the finest part? The Laas Geel is little developed, leaving tourists to their own devices with history.

Location: QCJV+F99, Hargeisa, Somalia

The most frequented of the six islets off the coast of Somaliland, within a stone's throw from the historic city of Zeila, is the first half of the famous Zeila Archipelago to make this list. This park, which was just recently designated as one of the country's rare national parks, contains everything from brilliant coral reefs to turquoise-water coves, ivory-colored beaches, and jagged sandstone peaks. Underwater, you may expect to encounter multicolored schools of fish, where rare Red Sea critters combine with larger Indian Ocean animals to produce a true marine life show.

While approaching the islet by boat, you will witness the Instagrammable view of the island right on the spot. The island's lush green woodlands will awe you with their magnificent trees. The trees appear to sprout immediately from the sea. The coral reefs of Sa'ad Din Island are typical of the Zeila Archipelago's tropical islets. Foreign visitors are awestruck by the island's distinctive flora and animals. Due to its gorgeous environment and blue ocean around the islet, the island is one of the most picturesque spots to visit in Somalia. A brief excursion to Sa'ad Din Island will be a highlight of your tropical vacation that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Location: the coast of Somaliland

The city of Berbera is situated along the Indian Ocean's coasts. The Ottomans developed and erected the colorful medieval architecture of this old city. Berbera has long served as Somalia's commercial hub due to its strategic location as a port city. The city of Berbera, once trodden by Ottoman imperialists and reigning as a focal point for traders from all over the Indian Ocean basin – from as close as Arabia to as far afield as Mumbai and Goa – is deeply entwined with its mercantile heritage. During the Middle Ages, many traders from other countries came to Berbera and contributed essential features to Somali culture.

Spices, musical instruments, manuscripts, books, and other valuable cultural items were brought to Berbera by traders from different empires and towns. It's a history made possible by the presence of one of the few deep-water ocean ports on this stretch of the African Horn, and the city is still known as the region's main harbor today. Berbera's beautiful desert-like wilderness, as well as the sun-kissed beaches of Batalale and Bathela that line the Gulf of Aden adjacent to the town, will be championed by locals. Berbera, because to its colorful medieval homes built with antique dyed bricks, is one of Somalia's most Instagrammable destinations. During your time in Somalia, wandering the intriguing alleyways of Berbera will be an unforgettable experience.

Location: the capital of the Sahil region of Somaliland

The historic village of Iskushuban boasts crenulated walls of dust-caked stone and exquisite arabesque defenses from centuries ago, making it one of the primary attractions in the autonomous area of Puntland in the northern borders of Somalia. The site is supposed to have been one of the key power strongholds of the Majeerteenia Sultinate, which governed the African Horn for much of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. However, aside from the history, the majority of visitors come to witness the waterfalls, which gush while in season and are the country's second largest!

A boat ride through wild caves is available in the town of Iskushuban. The experience of approaching the rocks by boat is one that many tourists enjoy. You will have the opportunity to experience the best of Somalia's wilderness. Iskushuban's unique flora and wildlife will dazzle you with their vibrant colors and unusual appearance. There are a plethora of natural wonders that you can snap, share on Instagram, and wow your followers. Iskushuban stories and live videos will generate a lot of positive feedback and increase your profile activity. The town of Iskushuban is a must-see on your Somalia holiday.

Location: Bari, Somalia

Bosaso is a beautiful port city with a long history that dates back to the Middle Ages. Beautiful ships moored near the harbor provide breathtaking scenery. Bosaso is one of Somalia's most Instagrammable cities, because to its blend of modern urban design and historic residences and streets. Houses made of white marble were developed and erected by medieval architects. Thanks to the gleaming pebbles, you can catch beautiful moments in the evening.

The massive seaport that encircles Bosaso's coastal reaches is the source of the city's vitality and action. This 700,000-strong metropolis, which serves as Somalia's main and largest harbor, has experienced significant growth in the years since the civil war ended. Industry and business have taken over, new schools and infrastructure have been built, and Dubai funds have lately invested millions of dollars in the local airport. The sandy beaches to the east and west of town, the craggy peaks of the Cal Madow that lure hikers to the horizon, and the local ostrich farms in the desert – see, there's lots to do!

Lamadaya is known for one thing and one thing only: waterfalls. They are the country's greatest, cascading over the sheer-cut cliffs of the Cal Madow mountains, which run parallel to the Gulf of Aden and cross Puntland, Somaliland, and the country's northern reaches. These natural wonders have carved their way through the earth's ochre-hued rock, creating deep plunge pools at their bottom and creating strange mineral formations beneath their flow.

The Lamadaya waterfalls originate in the mountain ranges' high snowy highlands. Hikers and climbers will find the surfaces more slippery as the waterfalls cascade down through the rugged solid rocks. During the summer, as the snow melts owing to the rising temperatures, the water flow becomes more vigorous. Visitors to Lamadaya are awestruck by the breathtaking beauty of the waterfalls.

Location: Cal Madow, Sanaag, Somaliland

You could believe the Lag Badana-Bushbush National Park is a true paradise, with waxy palm trees and golden dunes, the steady wash of the Indian Ocean kissing the shore, and stilted bamboo houses shouldering their way into the coconut plantations. Or it would be if it weren't for the violent battles that have enveloped Somalia's southern regions, where the reserve is located. These have ranged from the civil wars of the 1990s and 2000s to today's clashes with radicals. When they're done, perhaps this lovely land of tropical beauty will be back on the menu.

It's time to bring up the Lag Badana National Park, where you may experience the best of tropical African nature. Tall coconut trees, white sands, turquoise water, and wild animals evoke images of abandoned tropical islands in movies. In the National Park area, you can take your most popular Instagram photo. The Somalian government has designated Lag Badana National Park as a natural reserve area. Since the late 1990s, the National Park has been open to visitors.

Location: MGPC+MG6, Somalia

Today's Xaafuun is only a ghost of what it once was. Simply put, the history here is vast and engrossing. To give you an idea, dusty nooks and cracks of this town have been unearthed with remnants of Mycenaean pottery from the Heroic Age of ancient Greece, while artifacts of the Majeerteen Sultanate sprinkle its headland in plenty. In recent years, the area has taken on an industrial appearance, with fishing conglomerates and Italian mining giants erecting a less-than-appealing sprawl in place of the once-attractive spice depots. Xaafuun is truly a location to reminisce about a more illustrious past.

The town of Xaafuun is known for its beautiful white sand beaches and sunset vistas. The coastline and ocean shore are adorned with numerous little canoes. While sitting on the immaculate sands, you will love photographing colorful canoes. Locals and tourists can take canoe outings from Xaafuun hotels. During the boat ride, you'll have dozens of opportunities to take Instagram images that you may share on social media. Historically, Xaafuun was a fishing village, with many people living off of capturing and selling various fish species. People also took the captured fish to the port cities in order to sell to foreigners and make a lot of money. The tradition of fishing has remained until today.

Location: Somalia