Language
Arabic, English, Tigrinya
The main languages of the country are Tigrinya, Arabic, and English.
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Africa · Eastern AfricaUsable guideCountry in the Horn of Africa
Photo: Peter Fitzgerald, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Eritrea is a country in East Africa. Formerly an Italian colony, the country shares a common language and culture with its large neighbour, Ethiopia, which it was once a part of until Eritrea gained its independence in 1993. It used to be Africa's youngest country until 2011, which was when South Sudan gained its independence.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Eritrea.
Arabic, English, Tigrinya
The main languages of the country are Tigrinya, Arabic, and English.
Do not drink the tap water and even check bottled water to make sure the cap is sealed.
Do not drink the tap water and even check bottled water to make sure the cap is sealed. Be very careful what you eat. Many people get sick here. There is a Jordanian UN hospital that will treat foreigners.
Eritreans are polite, hospitable and soft-spoken but, due to the language barrier, may keep their distance from foreigners.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital
Sitting in the picturesque foothills of northern Eritrea, Keren is the country's second-largest city and regional capital of the surrounding districts. Approximately 146,000 people belonging to various tribes and ethnic groups call the city home.
Massawa is a port city in coastal Eritrea.
Senafe is a market town in southern Central Eritrea, on the edge of the Eritrean highlands.
home to the resistance movement against Ethiopia for 30 years and namesake of the currency, it was leveled in 1983 bombing raids; surrounded by trenches and remnants of the war, there is a sizeable population but it is considerably smaller than pre-war.
the Red Sea's largest archipelago of which just four islands are inhabited; ruins from the early Arabic/Islamic settlers of the 8th century have been found and Ethiopian weapons and vehicles dumped into the sea during the war have created large artificial reefs great for diving.
Semenawi Bahri National Park is in the Northern Red Sea Region in Coastal Eritrea.
Places in Eritrea on the World Heritage List.
Asmara: A Modernist African City
Listed 2017
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
The inland northwest of the country, home to the capital, the central highlands, and the western lowlands
Eritrea's long Red Sea coast
Public transport and paid services in Eritrea.
By bus
The most common form of intercity transportation in Eritrea is bus and/or minibus.
By train
The only rail line in Eritrea runs between Asmara and Massawa, and it is only served by a museum railway (steam engine and all) with no regular service except for freight.
By plane
Since the collapse of Nasair in 2014, there have been no scheduled domestic flights in Eritrea.
By car
The roads from Asmara to Massawa, Medefera, Dekemhare, Barentu and Keren are paved and in relatively good condition.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Eritrea.
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Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Asmara · Regional · ASM
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Asmara
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 27° | 29° | 31° | 32° | 33° | 33° | 28° | 27° | 30° | 29° | 28° | 27° |
| Avg. low | 12° | 13° | 15° | 17° | 19° | 20° | 19° | 19° | 18° | 16° | 14° | 13° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 4 | 8 | 7 | 26 | 18 | 33 | 125 | 144 | 31 | 8 | 6 | 4 |
| Humidity | 64% | 59% | 52% | 49% | 40% | 44% | 65% | 72% | 57% | 56% | 60% | 64% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$105
Per person, per day
Luxury
$275
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $60 | $160 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $20 | $50 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $25 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $40 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2021). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin Eritrea due to travel restrictions, limited consular assistance, landmines, and wrongful detentions. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Eritrea, as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel outside of Asmara. U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Eritrea, including dual U.S.-Eritrean nationals, have been arrested and detained without charge or on false charges. The Department has determined that the risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by the Eritrean government exists. Eritrean law enforcement officials routinely block access by U.S. government officials to U.S. citizens in detention. The U.S. Embassy therefore may not receive notification of your arrest or be allowed access to you if you are detained or arrested. There are landmines in many remote areas in Eritrea, particularly in Nakfa, AdiKeih, Arezza, the 25 mile-wide region (40 km) between the Setit and Mereb Rivers, and in areas north and west of Keren, areas near Massawa, Ghinda, Agordat, Barentu, Dekemhare, and south of Tessenae. Review the Travel guidance for additional information on travel to Eritrea.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
Areas where FCDO advises against travel Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. FCDO advises against all travel to within 25km of all of Eritrea’s land borders. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Eritrea. Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel. Tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia are high. If a crisis develops in Eritrea, the situation could change quickly, including your ability to travel within Eritrea or leave the country. Practical support from the British government such as face-to-face consular support or evacuation may be severely limited in a crisis. Read our general guidance on consular support in a crisis. Be prepared to re-arrange your own departure from Eritrea if a crisis develops. If it is not safe or possible to leave, you should: stay indoors whenever possible, and have a stock of essential supplies such as food, drinking water and medicine obey any local restrictions such as curfews monitor the media for developments that would allow you to leave safely Support for British nationals in Eritrea Consular support is severely limited in parts of Eritrea. Staff at the British Embassy in Asmara cannot offer support in person in areas of Eritrea where FCDO advises against travel. Diplomats at the British Embassy require travel permits from the Eritrean government to travel outside Asmara, which means the Embassy cannot always provide consular assistance in person in parts of Eritrea. Due to the ongoing security situation, we have taken the precautionary measure to temporarily…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Eritrea.
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