Eritrea is a heartbreaker. It was once heralded as a good place for travelling and, with a bit of luck, it could soon be so again. But as long as the country is at odds with its neighbour Ethiopia, its sworn enemy, tourism development won’t be a priority. One of the most secretive countries in Africa, Eritrea seems doomed to remain a hidden gem. Unsurprisingly, it falls below many travellers’ radars.
On the bright side, unlimited opportunities for off-the-beaten-track exploration abound. Who knew that Asmara, the capital, boasts the most shining collection of colonial architectural wonders in Africa? It is like a film set from an early Italian movie, with vintage Italian coffee machines and outstanding examples of Art-Deco architecture. On the Red Sea Coast, the sultry town of Massawa is redolent with Islamic influence. It is also the starting point for visits to the Dahlak Islands, one of the least spoilt and least known reefs in the Red Sea. Southern Eritrea features a superb array of archaeological sites that recount volumes of history. The apocalyptic wasteland of Dankalia, stretching to the south, is considered one of the most arresting places on earth and has a desolate magnetism. Eritrea’s nine colourful ethnic groups are diverse and individual, and are a major highlight.
Time GMT/UTC + 3
Population 4.6 million
Borders Djibouti, Sudan; Ethiopia border crossings closed
Seasons Cool (October-May), hot (June-September), wet (July-September)
Telephone Country code 291; international access code 00
ATMs None
Budget US$20 to US$25 a day
Capital Asmara
Visa From US$40 to US$50 for 30 days
Languages Tigrinya, Arabic and other regional languages
Area 124, 320 sq km
Money Nakfa; US$1 = Nfa15
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