During the Middle Ages, it was ruled by the Ifat and Adal Sultanates subsequently came under Ottoman and French protection in the 18th century.

[2] Arta's climate lent itself to becoming the prime sanctuary of the French civil servants in Djibouti.

From May 2, 2000,[3] peace talks between various factions of the Somali Civil War were held in the city with some 810 delegates, resulting in the establishment of the Transitional National Government of Somalia.

A contracted bus ride from Djibouti city to Arta can charge between 350 Djiboutian franc.

The summer season in Arta is moderately long, characterized by hot and dry and refreshing breezes with little rain, but relative humidity is generally low, making the heat tolerable.

Average high temperatures are between 32 °C (90 °F) and 37 °C (99 °F) during summer months, and it can sometimes rise up to 41 °C (106 °F) during heat waves, and it can occasionally drop to below 19 °C (66 °F)-20 °C (68 °F) at night.