Best Tourist Places to Visit in Assab, Eritrea, Africa

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Assab, Eritrea, Africa

Assab, also known as Aseb, is a beach city belonging to the Southern Red Sea Region of Eritrea, located between 13°00′28″ N latitude and 42°44′28″ E longitude, around 16 meters above sea level. Its position on the west coast of the Red Sea, Assab experiences very hot summer months and sometimes in July and August it may reach 54°C.

The tourism industry of Assab is adorned with excellent beaches, rich nightlife and a large traditional market. Also there is an ancient city, Arsinoe, founded by the king of Ptolemaic Egypt, Ptolemy II, near Assab. Assab is also home to a port.

History of Assab:

The history of Assab began with its purchase, from the local Sultan by the the Rubattino Shipping Company. It turned as a port town when it was conquered by Italy in the year 1882 along with the rest of Eritrea and later also became a coaling station.

How to reach Assab?

Assab houses an international airport, situated around 13 km away from the heart of the city. This airport is occasionally used, so it is advised for international tourists to first get down at Massawa International Airport and then they can choose airport taxi or bus from the airport to Assab. This airport covers many global destinations like Dubai, Entebbe, Jeddah, Juba, Khartoum, Nairobi, Asmara, Cairo, Cape Town, Frankfurt, Johannesburg, Karachi, Khartoum, Lagos, Lahore and Rome.

By bus, Assab reaches all the major cities and towns of the country including Asmara and Massawa.

Food and Shopping in Assab:

Assab houses both modern and traditional shopping options and restaurants that spread up all around the city. Only a few shops in the city accept credit cards, so it is advised for visitors to keep some local currency in pocket prior to go for shopping and dining.

Things to do in Assab:

Beach exploring
Cycling
Shopping
Strolling

What to see in Assab?

Beaches in Assab:

Beaches are the highlights of Assab, with the opportunities of different water sport activities. Other than beach beauty, visitors can also have mouthwatering crunchy and crispy delicacies at the restaurants located on the beach line.

Nightlife in Assab:

With plenty of restaurants, cafes and disco clubs, Assab is rich in nightlife, which attracts both locals and tourists throughout the year.

Assab International Airport:

The Assab International Airport is used for both public and military services. Although few public flights it operates, it draws a large number of tourists for its nice construction and pleasant surrounding environment.

Asmara:

Massawa is the capital city of Eritrea, situated in the centre of the country, to the northwest of Assab. The city is packed with full of recognized manmade tourist attractions like National Museum Asmara, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Asmara President’s Office, Cinema Impero, Synagogue of Asmara and Enda Mariam Orthodox Cathedral.

List of other places of interest in Assab includes:

The National Museum Asmara
Joseph’s Cathedral
Asmara President’s Office
Cinema Impero
Synagogue of Asmara
Asmara Theatre and Opera House
Asmara Historic Perimeter
Debre Bizen
Enda Mariam Orthodox Cathedral
Al Khulafa Al Rashiudin Mosque
Fiat Tagliero
Sembel Archaeological Site

When to visit Assab?

From October to May is generally the ideal time to visit beach city Assab.

Where to stay in Assab?

Although having a title of beach city, Assab boasts a limited number of modernized accommodation centres, so it would be better if visitors consider either Asmara or Massawa city for accommodation purpose. The major hotels in Assab, Asmara and Massawa are as follows: