Situated in the Horn of Africa, with a total population of five million people, Eritrea might be small, but it’s certainly not lacking in things to do and see. Eritrea’s stunning natural beauty and diverse culture that is a mixture of African, Arab and Mediterranean make it a top fascinating place to explore in Africa. With jaw-dropping scenery and a unique blend of natural and cultural highlights, Eritrea will not disappoint you. Plan your trip and sightseeing with our list of the top attractions and best places to visit in Eritrea.
Asmara
Asmara is the most popular place in the country, and one of the liveliest capitals in the Horn of Africa. A city with plenty of history, architecture, cafes and restaurants that are worth a visit. Once in town, don’t miss the National Museum of Eritrea, it is the perfect place to visit if you want to learn more about the history of Eritrea. The best places to visit are Fiat Tagliero Building, Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, Tank Graveyard, and the Medebar Market.
National Museum of Eritrea, Asmara, Eritrea
Senafe
Near the Eritrean highlands on the south there is Senafe, home to Metera, one of the most beautiful ruins in the country, known by the locals as Balaw Kalaw. The town offers dazzling views from the top of the rocks and surrounding mountains.
Dahlak Marine National Park
Situated in the Red Sea off of the coast of Eritrea, Dahlak Marine National Park is Eritrea’s national park. Its grounds are part of the Dahlak archipelago and the surrounding waters, home to Dahlak Kebir, the largest island of the archipelago. Flourishing with wildlife, the park is one of the most stunning destinations in Eritrea. However, you must acquire permission before being allowed to travel there.
Keren
Being the capital of the Anseba region, Keren is home to different ethnic groups including the Bilen, Tigre, and Tigrinya. No visit to Keren is complete without a hike to the top in one of Eritrea’s highlands including Amba, Itaber, and Ziban Mountains. The views from the top Eritrea’s highest peaks are simply breathtaking! The best places to visit are Tigu Egyptian fort, Debre Sina Monastery and Sayed Bakri Mausoleum.
Semenawi Bahri National Park
About 21 km from the capital city of Asmara, Semenawi Bahri National Park is a national park in Eritrea with rich sights of variety of landscapes, flora and fauna found that can’t be found in many places on earth. Famous for its single traverse asphalted road, the park is also popular for specifically bird-watching and spotting leopards, klipspringers, bushbucks.
Massawa
Massawa is a port city and commercial hub in Eritrea, fronting the Red Sea. Home to some the best beaches in the region, Massawa is the place to stroll, brunch and eye up the world’s most stunning natural beauties. The best places to visit are Imperial Palace, Ottoman bazaar, the shrine of Sahaba, Sheikh Hanafi Mosque, and not to be missed are the houses made out of coral.
Sheikh Hanafi Mosque, Massawa, Eritrea
Assab and Red Sea
The city of Assab is a port city of Eritrea located on the west coast of the Red Sea. An extraordinary body of water, a paradise for scuba divers and snorkelling with abundant coral reefs and marine life. One of the most popular tourist attractions of Eritrea, the coastline offers stunning vistas over the Red Sea. Its pebble beaches and pristine waters have always made Eritrea a favourite and royalty for tourists. It’s the perfect African destination to enjoy an afternoon swim followed by a dinner of fresh seafood, while watching the sun set over the Red Sea.
Qohaito
Covering an area of 2.5km, Qohaito is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the country. Qoahito plateau and its cultural landscape is of signifcant importance to Eritrea, and today, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. The ruins of the Safra’s Dam and King Saba’s palace dating to the Axumite and pre-Axumite periods as among the top attractions here.
Opera House
Although there’s no a resident opera company in town, Asmara’s Opera aka Teatro Asmara, is one of the main cultural centres of Eritrea, located in the capital city. Constructed in the 1918, the Opera House is one of the most stunning architectures of the city, and it’s free for people to have a look around. Soak up the atmosphere and surrounding nature and the city centre that offers a lot of activities to do.
Imperial Palace
Overlooking the harbour in Massawa, the Imperial Palace is one of the top attractions in Eritrea. The building was used by Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie, and was later damaged during the struggle for independence.
