Visitors who check into this small yet adventure full country can make their abode in one of the several good hotels especially in Asmara. Similar standard hotels can be found in Massawa and Assab. It is advisable to book in advance. Meals are available in all hotels. There are also hotels and guest houses in smaller towns whose prices are generally slightly lower than for those in the main centres. When making reservations, check for service charges and sales taxes. Hotel bills must be paid in hard currency known as Nakfa. Credit cards are accepted in major hotels, airlines and major travel agencies. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at the Commercial Bank of Eritrea in Asmara which provides the best exchange rate, private exchange offices and major hotels. Major Banks and hotels in Asmara and Massawa accept traveller’s cheques, US Dollar traveller’s cheques being the most recommended.



Don’t hesitate to go out and taste the food and drink in the restaurants. Italian cuisine dominates in larger cities while Massawa is renowned for its excellent seafood, especially prawns and lobster. National specialities include kitcha (thin bread from wheat), injera (a spongy pancake), tsebhi and alicha birsen while national drinks include bun (coffee), shahi (plain tea), swa (beer from local grain) and fruit juices. Get yourself gold and silver jewellery, woodcarvings, leather items, spears, drums, carpets and wicker goods. A certain amount of bargaining is expected in market places but prices in shops are usually fixed.

There are so many things you can see and do in Eritrea which has been enabled by internal flights, locomotives on Asmara-Massawa railway line or one can utilise the road by boarding a bus, taxis or car hire. Asmara itself has a magnificent Cathedral, the large Al Khulafa Al Rashiudin mosque, the National Avenue where you meet people and enjoy numerous cafes and bars or the National Museum. In Massawa, visit Baste Island which is a good area for restaurants, cafes. Visitors can take a small boat to Sheikh Island, which is a favourite picnic spot. Tualud has fine examples of Italian architecture, including St. Mariam’s Cathedral while the Port Club has a restaurant, a museum, a small library and sporting facilities.

Emberemi is famous for the mausoleums of Sheikh el Amin and Muhammad Ibn Ali. It’s an important pilgrimage site. Go to the beach especially in the city of Asseb which has many pleasant beaches which are ideal locations swimming and sunbathing. Alternatively, the Dahlak Archipelago national park will offer you abundant opportunities for snorkelling and scuba-diving.

Summer months (April to August) can have hot temperatures though they drop during winter (December to February) and can be freezing. The short rainy season (March to April) is followed by a longer one from late June to the beginning of September. Travellers are advised against touring border areas with Ethiopia and Sudan which include Tesseney and Afabet. Take note that all foreign nationals (including resident diplomats) are required to have a travel permit to visit other areas outside Asmara. Eritrea also shares with the rest of the Horn of Africa a threat from terrorism.