←Eritrea travel guide
Maekel Region, Eritrea
Asmara
A 1930s modernist city preserved on an African plateau
ArchitectureCultureHistory & Heritage
Asmara, Eritrea's capital and only UNESCO World Heritage city, sits at 2,350 metres in the highlands, where a remarkable collection of Italian rationalist, Art Deco, and futurist buildings lines wide, tree-shaded boulevards. Cafes spilling onto the pavement and the gentle pace of life give the city a distinctly Mediterranean atmosphere transplanted to the Horn of Africa.
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Best time to visit
September to April
Region
Maekel Region
Main airport
Asmara (ASM)
Discover
Top Things to Do in Asmara
UNESCO World HeritageCulture
Asmara Modernist City
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017, Asmara's historic centre contains one of the most intact collections of early 20th-century modernist and rationalist architecture anywhere in the world. The city was largely built between 1935 and 1941, when Italian colonial planners applied futurist, Art Deco, and rationalist idioms to everything from government buildings and cinemas to churches and mosques. Walking the central grid, visitors encounter a coherent urban landscape that feels both European and distinctly East African.
History
Fiat Tagliero Building
Completed in 1938 and designed by Italian engineer Giuseppe Pettazzi, the Fiat Tagliero Building is a futurist service station shaped to resemble an aeroplane, with two concrete wings cantilevered 15 metres on either side of a central tower. It stands as one of the clearest expressions of Italian Futurist architecture built anywhere, and it contributed directly to Asmara's UNESCO inscription. Restored in 2003, the building is a protected structure and remains among the most photographed landmarks in Eritrea.
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Plan Your Trip
Getting Around Asmara
Tours, stays, transfers, and flights — curated partner options are on the way.
Tours & Activities
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, and day experiences — curated partner options are on the way.
Coming soonWhere to Stay
Hotels, apartments, and guesthouses across every neighbourhood — booking options are on the way.
Coming soonAirport Transfers
Private and shared rides between the airport and the city centre — partner options are on the way.
Coming soonFlights
Compare fares from hundreds of airlines to find the best route in — search options are on the way.
Coming soonTravel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Eritrea
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Eritrea page at Yoogo.
Eritrea's currency is the Nakfa (ERN). The country operates almost entirely on cash, and international bank cards do not work in ATMs, so visitors must bring sufficient foreign currency (US dollars are widely accepted for exchange) before arrival.
Eritrea is generally considered calm in its main tourist areas, including Asmara, Massawa, and Keren. Conditions can change, and travellers should consult their government's official travel advisory before departure for the most current guidance.
Within Asmara, shared minibuses and street-hailed taxis cover the city at low cost, with fares negotiated before boarding as there are no meters. For intercity travel, long-distance buses and shared taxis connect Asmara to towns such as Massawa and Keren, though journey times can be long on mountain roads.
The most comfortable months to visit are October to April, when temperatures in the highlands around Asmara are mild and rainfall is low. The coastal areas around Massawa are hot year-round, with the Red Sea calmer and more suitable for island excursions during the dry season from October to April.
Tigrinya, Arabic, and English serve as the three working languages of Eritrea, alongside a number of other national languages including Tigre, Afar, Kunama, and Saho. English is used in government and education, and visitors will find it spoken in hotels, travel agencies, and among younger Eritreans in Asmara.
Travellers are generally advised to be up to date on routine vaccinations and to consider hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio vaccines before visiting. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for those arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission, and antimalarial medication may be recommended depending on itinerary and season.
Tipping is not a deeply established custom in Eritrea but is appreciated in tourist-oriented restaurants and by guides or drivers. Rounding up the bill or leaving a small amount is a courteous gesture, though there is no fixed expected percentage.
Local SIM cards are available in Eritrea but can be difficult to obtain as a visitor, with limited connectivity infrastructure outside Asmara. International eSIM providers offering regional data plans for Eritrea are available and can be set up before departure via providers such as Airalo, allowing travellers to connect on arrival.