🇪🇷 Travel eSIM plans for Eritrea

Eritrea rewards travellers who take things slowly. The capital Asmara, with its well-preserved Italian colonial architecture, is best explored on foot during the cooler morning hours. For a more local experience, rent a bicycle and cycle through the palm-lined streets of the city centre.

Outside Asmara, the Dahlak Archipelago offers some of the Red Sea’s best snorkelling and diving. Hire a small boat from Massawa and spend a day island-hopping. Always carry your own drinking water and snacks, as facilities on the islands are minimal.

Respect local customs by dressing modestly, especially in rural areas and when visiting Orthodox churches. Friday is a quiet day in many towns. Learn a few phrases of Tigrinya or Arabic; locals appreciate the effort.

Asmara - A UNESCO World Heritage site for its Futurist, Rationalist and Art Deco buildings. Visit the Cinema Impero and Fiat Tagliero service station. The National Museum provides context on Eritrea’s history.

Massawa - A historic port city with Ottoman and Egyptian architecture. The old town, though damaged by war, retains a distinct character. Take a ferry to the Dahlak Islands for pristine beaches and coral reefs.

Keren - Known for its lively Tuesday camel market and the British War Cemetery. The surrounding highlands offer good hiking trails.

Debub Region - Home to the ancient city of Qohaito and the dramatic landscape of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Limited tourist infrastructure; go with a guide.

Zigni - A spicy meat stew, usually beef or lamb, served on injera, the spongy sourdough flatbread. Eat with your right hand, tearing off pieces of injera to scoop the stew.

Ful - A breakfast dish of mashed fava beans, seasoned with olive oil, cumin and chilli, served with bread. Found in most Asmara cafes.

Seafood in Massawa - Grilled fish, lobster and shrimp are fresh and affordable in Massawa. Try tsebhi derho, a chicken stew, for a milder flavour.

Shahan Ful - A sweet treat of bread soaked in honey and clarified butter. Best from street vendors in the late afternoon.

Eritrea’s climate varies greatly by altitude. The highlands, including Asmara, enjoy a mild Mediterranean climate from October to March, with clear skies and daytime temperatures around 20-25°C. This is the most comfortable period for sightseeing and hiking.

The lowlands and coast, including Massawa and the Dahlak Islands, are hot year-round but become oppressively humid from June to September. The best time for the Red Sea coast is November to February, when the heat is less intense and sea conditions are calmer for boating and diving.

The short rainy season in the highlands runs from late June to early September. Roads in rural areas can become impassable. If you plan to visit during this period, allow extra travel time and check road conditions locally.

Modest clothing - Lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and trousers for both men and women. A scarf or shawl is useful for covering shoulders in churches and mosques.

Sun protection - A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen. The sun is strong year-round, especially at altitude and on the coast.

Comfortable walking shoes - Asmara’s streets are uneven and Massawa’s old town has rough surfaces. Sturdy sandals are fine for the beach.

Water purification tablets - Tap water is not reliably safe. Carry a reusable bottle and purification method.

Power adapter - Eritrea uses Type C and Type L plugs (220V). Bring a universal adapter and a power bank for remote areas.