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Places to Visit in Asmara, Eritrea, Eastern Africa, Africa

Places to Visit in Asmara, Eritrea, Eastern Africa, Africa

Asmara is the capital and largest city of the Eastern African country, Eritrea, located in the centre of the nation, spanning over a total area of 1,215.81 sq. km. The city comprises of thirteen districts, holing a total population of around 649,000 people. As it came under the Italian rule, Asmara houses many majestic colonial buildings that attract both national and international tourists year round in larger proportion. Positioned around 2,325 meters above sea level, Asmara coordinates with 15°20′ N latitude and 38°56′ E longitude. The climate of Asmara is classified as a steppe climate, which experiences hot summers and mild winters.

History of Asmara:

Asmara holds a grand and long historical background as it originated between 800 BC and 400 BC. Although it came under many eminent African empires, the real growth of Asmara began at the end of the 19^th century with the Italian colonization. Along with rest of Eritrea, Asmara had also seen the British reign from 1941 to 1952.

How to reach Asmara?

Asmara hosts one of two international airport of Eritrea, another is located in Massawa. The Asmara International Airport is served by EgyptAir (Cairo), Nova Airways (Kassala, Khartoum), Sudan Airways (Kassala, Khartoum and Port Sudan) and Yemenia (Sana’a).

Taxis and buses are common at the airport leading to the city centre and one can also use a pre-booked private transfer for comfort and convenient airport travel.

Red Mercedes Benz buses are the luxury local travel options in Asmara.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Asmara:

Asmara is the cultural capital of Eritrea, holding many colonial buildings as well as religious sites belonging to both Christian and Muslim population. Asmara is also home to the University of Asmara and the National Museum of Asmara.

Gold and silver jewelry are the popular shopping items among visitors coming to the city. Handmade products like goat-skin rugs and olivewood carvings are also purchasable.

Asmara is very much famous when it comes to cuisine and the most restaurants in the city are well versed in serving a variety of mouthwatering Italian dishes.

Things to do in Asmara:

Tour of historical sites
Shopping
Walking

Places to see in Asmara:

Fiat Tagliero Building:

The Fiat Tagliero Building is one of the landmarks as well as tourist attractions of Asmara. Designed by Giuseppe Pettazzi, an Italian architect, the Fiat Tagliero Building was constructed in the year 1938. This service station building features the Futurist Style of architecture.

Cinema Impero:

The Cinema Impero is the most famous movie theatre in Asmara, was constructed during Italian Eritrea in the year 1937. Other than showing movies, the theatre is also famous among locals and visitors for its Art Deco-style architecture.

Asmara President’s Office:

The Asmara President’s Office is the presidential palace of Eritrea, constructed by the first Italian governor of Eritrea, Ferdinando Martini in 1897. Its Italian neoclassical style designs and surrounding lush vegetation draw a large number of tourists throughout the year.

St. Joseph’s Cathedral:

A masterpiece from Italian Eritrean, the St. Joseph’s Cathedral is an iconic colonial Romanesque style cathedral, consecrated in the year 1922. The cathedral is huge and magnificent, holding a striking Gothic tower as well. It is in the centre of the city.

National Museum Asmara:

The National Museum Asmara is concentrated on showcasing the history of Asmara and Eritrea with well preserved objects like inscribed tombstones, scrolls and artifacts found from the excavations. Museum is small but worth a visit.

List of other places of interest in Asmara includes:

Enda Mariam Orthodox Cathedral
Asmara Theatre and Opera House
Al Khulafa Al Rashiudin Mosque
Fiat Tagliero
Sembel Archaeological Site
Denkalya Desert
Asmara Historic Perimeter
Debre Bizen
Liberation Avenue
Synagogue of Asmara

Ideal time to visit Asmara:

Probably from October to March is the best to visit historic Asmara while the weather remains dry.

Where to stay in Asmara?

Being the capital of Eritrea, Asmara houses plenty of star rated hotels with world class facilities and services like spa, sauna and airport shuttle. Some recommended hotels in Asmara in Eritrea are listed below:

Hotel Asmara Palace
Albergo Italia
Sunshine Hotel
Lion Hotel
Savanna International Hotel
Embasoira Hamasien Hotel
Africa Pension
Hotel Khartoum
Crystal Hotel Eritrea
Asmara Central Hotel
Ambasoira Hotel

Tourist Places to Visit in Eritrea, Horn, Africa

Tourist Places to Visit in Eritrea, Horn, Africa

Eritrea is an African country located in the Horn of Africa at 15.4833° N, 38.2500° E, sharing its borders with Djiboutia in the southeast, Sudan in the west and in the south with Ethiopia and the Eastern Eritrea lies along the coastline of the Red Sea. Including the Dahlak Archipelago and several smaller Hanish Islands, Eritrea covers an area of 117,600 sq. km. Asmara is the capital and largest city of Eritrea, located in the heart of the country. Eritrea is one of the member nations of the United Nations, IGAD and the African Union.

History of Eritrea:

The history of Eritrea goes back to the first or second centuries when it was under the reign of the Kingdom of Aksum. Eritrea came under the Medri Bahri Kingdom rule in medieval times. The merger of many independent Kingdoms, vassal states belonged to the Ethiopian empire and the Ottoman Empire, formed the modern day Eritrea and became Italian Eritrea. Following the Eritrea’s independence from European powers, it fell under the Federation of Ethiopia and Eritrea. With the outcome of the Eritrean War of Independence, Eritrea became an independent country in 1991.

How to reach Eritrea?

The Massawa International Airport is the main gateway to Eritrea, located in the coastal city, Massawa and operates flights from Dubai, Entebbe, Jeddah, Juba, Khartoum, Nairobi, Asmara, Cairo, Cape Town, Frankfurt, Johannesburg, Karachi, Khartoum, Lagos, Lahore and Rome.

Another international airport in Eritrea is Asmara International Airport, situated in the capital city, Asmara.

Bus transportation in Eritrea is limited to its cities and bordering cities of Sudan but its ferry connection extends to many Middle East countries including Saudi Arabia.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Eritrea:

Eritrea is culturally diverse country, inhabited by people belonging to nine ethnic groups of which the Tigrinya people constitutes nearly 55% of the country’s population. Christianity and Islam are the dominating religions in Eritrea while Tigrinya is a widely communicated language in the country.

When comes to food, Injera and Fit-fit are the famous dishes in Eritrea. Eritrea is also popular for traditional handicrafts. Eritrean Nakfa is the currency of Eritrea.

Places to see in Eritrea:

St. Joseph’s Cathedral:

A symbolic cathedral, the St. Joseph’s Cathedral is located in the capital city, Asmara, featuring the Romanesque Revival style of architecture. It was constructed in 1922 during Italian Eritrea. Worth a watch.

Asmara Theatre and Opera House:

The Asmara Theatre and Opera House is situated in Asmara city, known for its striking exterior and interiors showcasing the Italian architectural styles. Dating from 1920, this majestic landmark historic structure now functions as the prime cultural centre of Asmara.

Al Khulafa Al Rashiudin Mosque:

Being one of the most outstanding mosques in Africa, the Al Khulafa Al Rashiudin Mosque is one of the top tourist attractions of Eritrea, situated in Asmara city. It features a blend of Italian and local Moorish architectural styles.

Massawa:

Massawa is an important coastal city in Eritrea and a paradise of tourists, especially youths, housing many renowned spectacular beaches with the opportunities of snorkeling and diving. The city is also famous for historical buildings, dominated by the Sheikh Hanafi Mosque.

Enda Mariam Orthodox Cathedral:

The Enda Mariam Orthodox Cathedral is a distinct ancient church, situated in the heart of Asmara in Eritrea. The church is especially noted for symbolizing the four directions of the land. A typical tree called “Berberestelim” lies at the gateway of the church holds an interesting story behind.

List of other places of interest in Eritrea includes:

Fiat Tagliero
Asmara Historic Perimeter
Cinema Impero
Fiat Tagliero Building
Debre Bizen
Liberation Avenue
Al Khulafa Al Rashiudin Mosque
Synagogue of Asmara
Sembel Archaeological Site
Denkalya Desert
National Museum Asmara

Best time to visit Eritrea:

Eritrea generally experiences a tropical climate and considering pleasant climate, September, October, March and April are the ideal months to make tour to Eritrea.

Accommodation options in Eritrea:

The hospitality industry of Eritrea is concentrated in Asmara with all range accommodation centres including star rated hotels. Resorts can be found in Eritrea in the coastal city, Massawa. Here are some prominent hotels in Asmara in Eritrea:

Hotel Asmara Palace
Albergo Italia
Sunshine Hotel
Lion Hotel
Savanna International Hotel
Embasoira Hamasien Hotel
Africa Pension
Hotel Khartoum
Crystal Hotel Eritrea
Asmara Central Hotel
Ambasoira Hotel

Zagora Tourist Places to Visit in Souss-Massa-Draa, Morocco, Africa

Zagora Tourist Places to Visit in Zagora, Souss-Massa-Draa, Morocco, Africa

Zagora is a town situated in the Souss-Massa-Drâa region of Morocco, between 30°19′50″ N latitude and 5°50′17″ W longitude. The town of Zagora is located in the valley of the River Draa, enclosed by the mountain Zagora. Due to its position in the mountain region, Zagora receives a substantial number of tourists, highly nature and embark sport lovers, throughout the year. Zagora is also the site of the two international events, the Nomads Festival and the Zagora Marathon. “Tombouctou 52 days” is a sign at the border of Zagora, welcoming tourists in a great manner.

Etymology of Zagora:

Zagora got its name from the mountain with same name surrounding the town. Tazagourt was the former name of Zagora.

How to get Zagora?

Zagora hosts an airport but flights are not regular. The closest airport to Zagora is Ouarzazate Airport, which is located around 120 km away from Zagora and operates flights from and to Casablanca, El Aaiún, Paris, Agadir and Casablanca. There are taxis generally available at Ouarzazate Airport that take around 2 hours from Ouarzazate to Zagora. Buses are also accessible.

Zagora is connected to Marrakech by direct bus services, taking around 8 hours.

Small taxis are highly used for local travel in Zagora that cost Dh 3 per person to move within the town.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Zagora:

Zagora is famous for the Zagora Marathon and the Nomads Festival, which are very much popular in Southern Morocco. Silver jewelry and firewood items are the purchasable items in Zagora.

List of the major restaurants in Zagora include:

Restaurante Des Amis
Dromadaire Gourmand
Ennakhile
Chameau gourmand

What to do in Zagora?

Loud Sahara Day Tours
Iguidi Tours
Trek Morocco Desert Day Tours
Shopping
Walking

Tourist Attractions in Zagora:

Mount Zagora:

The Mount Zagora is a mountain, surrounding the town of Zagora, famous among tourists for climbing. Visitors can also spot the ruins of the Almoravid fortress at the mountain. From this mountain, the town Zagora got its name.

“Timbuktu 52 days”:

“Timbuktu 52 days” is a sign at the border of Zagora, known for its nice design and surrounding environment.

Garden of Auberge Restaurant Chez Ali:

Auberge Restaurant Chez Ali is one of the major restaurants in Zagora. More than its menus, the restaurant is famous for its striking garden.

Tamegroute:

Tamegroute is a small village, situated around 18 km south of Zagora. The village is well known for its popular ancient library that houses a great collection of books on different subject, including Morocco’s history.

Zagora Markets:

Zagora is home to a many nice open air traditional market, where visitors can bag everything from food to silver jewelry to firewood items.

List of other places of interest in Zagora includes:

Amassakoul
Tinfou Dunes
Caravane Du Grand Erg
Hassi Labiad
Vallee du Draa
Legzira Beach
Erg Chigaga
Gorges du Dades
Vallee d’Ait Mansour
Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou
Kasbah du Pacha el Glaoui
Agadir Beach
Carve Surf Morocco
Taghazout Beach
Agadir Oufella Ruins

Best time to visit Zagora:

Between October and May is the ideal time to visit Zagora in Morocco, while the weather in condition.

Accommodation options in Zagora:

Although being small in size, Zagora houses several standard tourist favor accommodation centres with amenities like spa, sauna, fitness centre, food on request, doctor on call service and arrangement of vehicle for day tours. Some reputed hotels in Zagora in Morocco include:

Riad Lamane
Hotel la Palmeraie
Le Sauvage Noble
Hotel Tabarkat
Kasbah Hotel Sahara Sky
Palais Asmaa
La Perle du Draa
Ksar Tinsouline
Hotel Reda
Riad Salam Hotel
Villa Zagora
Azalai Desert Lodge
Riad dar Sofian
La Petite Kasbah
Les Jardins Du Draa

Places to Visit in Tetuan (Tetouan), Morocco, Africa

Places to Visit in Tetuan (Tetouan), Morocco, Africa

Tetouan is a Moroccan city located on the Mediterranean Sea in northern Morocco. It is situated around 60 km south of another important port city on the country’s Mediterranean coastline, Tangier. Tetouan is one of the recognized tourist destinations of Morocco, dominated by its Medina or old city, which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its kasbah and mosques are also famous among tourists. The highest elevation of Tetouan measures 205 meters, while its geographical coordinates are 35°34′ N 5°22′ W. Tetouan features a Mediterranean climate with cool and rainy winter and hot and dry summer.

History of Tetouan:

According to the documented history, Tetouan was founded in the late 13th century. Tetouan began to develop at the beginning of the 14^th century with a large building project by the Marinid king Abu Thabit in 1305. Tetouan was under the Spanish rule from 1913 to 1956 when Morocco’s independence was declared.

Connectivity to Tetouan:

Tetouan is situated around 270 km northeast of Rabat, the capital of Morocco and around 360 km northeast of the Morocco’s largest city, Casablanca.

Tetouan is served by Sania Ramel Airport with scheduled flights from Amsterdam, Al Hoceima and Casablanca and seasonal flights from Liège. The airport is situated around 5 km away from the city centre.

Petite taxis and grand taxis are the convenient mode of transportation options to get around Tetouan.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Tetouan:

Tetouan is home to a museum, called Musee d’Archeologie a Tetouan, which showcases the complete archeological and cultural history of Tetouan with well preserved objects.

There are dozens of shops in Tetouan, most are in medina and some recommended restaurants in Tetouan include:

El Reducto
Restaurant Restinga
Blanco Riad
Ali Baba

Things to do in Tetouan:

Shopping
Visiting old Kasbah
City tours

What to see in Tetouan?

The medina (old town) of Tétouan:

The medina (old town) of Tétouan is the highlight of the city, featuring three sections like the Jewish, the Berber and the Andalusian secions. The medina is small but very beautiful, very clean and houses many attractive white houses.

The Royal Palace of Tetouan:

The Royal Palace of Tetouan is one of the gateways to the medina. The palace itself holds nice interior and exterior designs, attracting a large number of tourists.

Mohammed V Avenue:

Mohammed V Avenue in Tetouan is packed with full of tourist shops, restaurants, cafes and book stores. It usually gets crowded during the evening by both locals and visitors.

Riad Al Ochak:

Riad Al Ochak or The Lovers’ Garden is one of the landmark sites of Tetouan. This garden is similar in construction to the gardens of Granada in Spain. Very beautiful and pleasant.

Tétouan Church:

The Tétouan church is a charming dark yellow colored church, reserved for small Christian community in the city. The tidiness of the church and its surrounding is very much impressive.

List of other places of interest in and around Tetouan includes:

Musee d’Archeologie a Tetouan
The old city
Chefchaouen Old City
Asilah Medina
Dalia Beach
Cascades d’Akchour
Tangier Casbah
Medina of Tangier
Puerto de Assilah
Paradise Beach
Hercules Cave
Tangier Beach
Parc Perdicaris
Museum of Moroccan Arts in Tangier

When to visit Tetouan?

Probably the best time to visit Tetouan is during the months between May and September.

Where to stay in Tetouan?

Tetouan is the site of many star rated hotels that have a great hand in serving both tourists and professionals visiting the city, with a blend of all modern and traditional Moroccan amenities. Free Wi-Fi is a common facility in all hotels of the city. The prominent hotels in Tetouan are: