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: