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

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