Eritrea

Eritrea's capital, Asmara, is a genuine time capsule of 1930s Italian Art Deco architecture — cinemas, cafés, and pastel facades largely unchanged since colonial rule, earning it UNESCO recognition. The Red Sea coast and the Dahlak Archipelago offer barely touched diving and fishing villages, while the highlands give way to a hot, dry lowland further south. Travel restrictions make independent visits difficult and tourism infrastructure is minimal, so trips here remain rare and closely managed.

Why go thereArchitecture & cities Culture & heritage Ancient ruins Diving & snorkelling Islands Beaches Nature & landscapes Rural traditions

Main destinations

Food & drink to try

Zigni

Beef stewed in berbere and onion, served over taita with a boiled egg.

Taita

Fermented teff or sorghum flatbread, the base of the communal platter.

Tsebhi derho

Chicken in a thick chilli stew, made for weddings and Christmas.

Food & drink to try

Zigni

Beef stewed in berbere and onion, served over taita with a boiled egg.

Taita

Fermented teff or sorghum flatbread, the base of the communal platter.

Tsebhi derho

Chicken in a thick chilli stew, made for weddings and Christmas.

Hilbet

Fenugreek and lentil paste whipped pale, eaten cold with taita.

Shiro

Chickpea flour stew cooked smooth with garlic and spice, eaten on fasting days.

Kicha fit-fit

Torn flatbread tossed with spiced butter and yoghurt, eaten at breakfast.

Himbasha

Lightly sweet bread scored in a wheel pattern and studded with cardamom.

Alicha

Mild turmeric stew of cabbage, potato and carrot, cooked without chilli.

Ful

Fava beans with tomato, onion and yoghurt, eaten from a metal bowl at dawn.

Suwa

Home-brewed sorghum beer, cloudy and sour, made for religious feasts.

Buna

Coffee roasted in the room and poured three times, refusing the third is rude.

Entry & health

Set your passport

howtocallabroad.com wise.com en.wikipedia.org

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Tipping & local customs

Hotels and restaurants add a service charge, usually around 10%, but small additional tips are appreciated for good service; taxi drivers are not usually tipped.

Dress conservatively and modestly, especially when visiting churches, mosques, or rural communities, as Eritreans value respect for elders and traditional norms.
Same-sex relationships are illegal in Eritrea, so public displays of affection between same-sex couples should be avoided.
Avoid photographing government buildings, military sites, airports, or bridges, as this is illegal and can lead to serious trouble with authorities.
It is considered rude to show the soles of your feet or shoes to others, so be mindful of how you sit, especially in someone's home.
Respect fasting periods observed by both Orthodox Christian and Muslim communities; avoid eating, drinking, or smoking conspicuously in public during these times.
Always ask permission before photographing people, and be sensitive to local customs and traditions as a foreign visitor.

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Before you go

Stay connected

Get an eSIM for Eritrea — mobile data the moment you land.

via Airalo

Travel insurance

Cover trip cancellation, medical care and delays.

via EKTA