American YouTuber Drew Binsky, who has travelled to every country in the world, recently took the bold adventure of revisiting Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, a city often cited as one of the most dangerous in the world. Despite its long history of violence and instability, Mogadishu left Binsky in awe for an entirely different reason.
“I can’t believe how amazing this beach is,” he said in a video shared with his millions of followers. “I’ve travelled to all the countries in the world, but this beach is one of the best. White sand, crystal-clear water. It’s really stunning.”
Mogadishu has endured decades of conflict, a civil war that began more than 30 years ago, and repeated terrorist attacks.
As recently as 2022, twin car bombings in the city claimed over 100 lives. Large areas remain under the control of extremist groups, with frequent reports of kidnappings, suicide attacks, and open gunfire.
The contrast between the war-scarred streets and the idyllic beachfront is stark.
Binsky said: “This is also the site of many attacks,” he said. “It’s freaking insane. I hope I’m safe.”
Yet, standing on the shores of the Indian Ocean, watching crowds of locals, including women swimming fully clothed, enjoy a day at the beach, Binsky was struck by the city’s resilience and natural beauty.
“There’s so much commotion around me, but in a good way. It’s one of the nicest beaches I’ve ever seen.”
When he last visited Mogadishu five years ago, the scene was very different.
Back then, he was unable to leave his car without a full military escort of eight AK-47-armed soldiers. “The bombed-out buildings and checkpoints sent a shiver down my spine,” he recalled.
Today, though security risks remain high, Binsky’s footage offers a rare and surprising look at a different side of Mogadishu — one that speaks to hope, normalcy, and the enduring spirit of its people.
“I didn’t expect to say this,” he added, “but this place has something special.”
The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to Somalia. Its website states: “This is due to the threat from terrorist groups and continuing violence. If you choose to remain in Somalia, you do so at your own risk. You should have a personal emergency plan that does not rely on the UK Government.”
It warns tourists that terrorist group Al Shabaab and others continue to carry out frequent attacks in Mogadishu.