In-depth country guide

Eritrea

Highland streets, Red Sea light and journeys with time to listen.

A country worth knowing

Make room for a different kind of journey.

Begin in Asmara, then choose permitted highland outings or a journey down to Massawa. Keren, archaeological sites and the Dahlak islands offer different experiences, each requiring its own arrangements. These eleven destinations favour a measured route with time for cafés, architecture and the landscape between stops.

First-time highlights.

Central highlands

Eritrea on film

A filmed introduction to the journey from Asmara towards the Red Sea. Confirm current permits and local conditions separately before planning your own route.

Explore Asmara Watch the introduction ↗

Where to stayDirect accommodation contact

Red Sea coast

Massawa

Coral-stone streets and a maritime horizon.

Explore Massawa

Where to stayDirect accommodation contact

Northern highlands

Keren

Market life and a thoughtful historical visit.

Explore Keren

Where to stayDirect accommodation contact

Highland towns

Decemhare

An ordinary town with time for small discoveries.

Explore Decemhare

Where to stayDirect accommodation contact

Eastern escarpment

Ghinda

A change of landscape on the road to the coast.

Explore Ghinda

Where to stayDirect accommodation contact

Highland escarpment

Nefasit

A hillside town with railway context.

Explore Nefasit

Where to stayDirect accommodation contact

Eastern green belt

Filfil

Forest scenery on a carefully planned road day.

Explore Filfil

Where to stayDirect accommodation contact

Above Nefasit

Debre Bizen

A monastery visit with a demanding approach.

Explore Debre Bizen

Where to stayDirect accommodation contact

Red Sea islands

Dahlak

An island journey planned around the sea.

Explore Dahlak

Where to stayDirect accommodation contact

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

Southern highlands

Mendefera

Market streets and a measured highland outing.

Explore Mendefera

Where to stayDirect accommodation contact

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

Coastal archaeology

Adulis

An ancient port approached with patience.

Explore Adulis

Where to stayDirect accommodation contact

Give each place its own time

Choose your next discovery.

The journey is in the details.

Sources, credits & editorial notes

Reviewed 12 November 2026. Pacing and base suggestions are ATA editorial choices. Accommodation links are direct enquiry points, not inspected-property endorsements or claims of ATA membership. Confirm current services, access and terms. Photographs are credited beside the images and may show earlier conditions.

Overview photography credits

Sunset over Asmara, Awet Amine · CC0 · Display crop.

Massawa’s old-town waterfront, Reinhard Dietrich · CC0 · Display crop.

Keren, photographed in 2024, Mheidegger · CC BY 4.0 · Display crop.

Decemhare’s highland setting, Iadhanom · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Display crop.

Ghinda town, Reinhard Dietrich · CC0 · Display crop.

Nefasit town, Reinhard Dietrich · CC0 · Display crop.

Filfil forest, Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY-SA 1.0 · Display crop.

Debre Bizen monastery, Grullab · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Display crop.

Dahlak Archipelago seen from space, Coordenação-Geral de Observação da Terra/INPE · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Display crop.

Mendefera bus station and town life, David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada · CC BY 2.0 · Display crop.

Archaeological remains at Adulis, David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada · CC BY 2.0 · Display crop.