Bossaso's appeal is largely geographic and commercial. The city is not set up for conventional tourism, but the dramatic landscape — sea, mountains, desert — gives it a raw interest that few visitors expect.
The waterfront is the city's main public space. The port area is busy throughout the day with dhows and larger vessels loading and unloading goods. Watching the trade activity is as authentic a window into Somali commerce as you will find.
The Golis Mountains rise steeply behind the city and can be seen clearly from most parts of town. The road south over the escarpment toward Garowe passes through spectacular terrain. The mountain air is noticeably cooler than the coast and the views back over the Gulf of Aden are striking.
The old neighbourhood of Qandala, about 60 kilometres east along the coast, is reachable by vehicle and offers a quieter stretch of coast. The beach areas around Bossaso itself are scenic, though facilities are minimal.