Travel in Eritrea – Hotels, Eritrea Vacations, Lodging, Trips, Attractions and Travel Guide

Vacationing in Eritrea

The country of Eritrea is located in Northeast Africa and has an extensive coastline on the Red Sea. The country was spoken about by the Ancient Egyptians who went to the island in search of incense. Eritrea is in the area of Africa known as the Horn of Africa, the Great Rift Valley is located here and is one of the longest mountain ranges in the world. In 2006, the country announced that it planned to turn its entire coastline into a protected area, making it the first to do so.

There are many reasons why tourists are drawn to this particular area of Africa. Some people come to experience the culture, some to explore the landscape and others come to view the many interesting sights the country has to offer. The climate is dry and arid, while areas in the mountains experience much more diverse climate changes.

The Cathedral of Asmara is one of the top spots for visitors in all of Eritrea. It was built in 1922, in the Lombard-Romanesque style of architecture. Guests can climb to the top of the bell tower by a series of steep stairs which takes them up to a 52 foot tall landing that provides lovely views of the surrounding city below. The cathedral contains a monastery, school and beautiful gardens which have statues of Maria. The cathedral is an important landmark in Eritrea and can be toured by the public and people of any faith.

After visiting the Cathedral, the second most popular location is the National Museum of Amsara. It is located close to the Selam Hotel and has a long and interesting history behind its walls. There are exhibits devoted to the 19th century, tombstones from Dalak Islands, artifacts and items from Adulis, Sebean and Ge'ez. The museum is convenient to from any location in the city and draws approximately three-hundred thousands visitors each year.

The Cinema Imperio is the best movie theater in Eritrea, located on Harnet Avenue. This is one of the liveliest streets in Eritrea with coffee houses, bars and other quaint shops. The Cinema displays movies in Hindi, English and Italian languages. The four-story building is painted a flaming red color, making it stand out amongst the other structures on the block.

The Massawa Islands consist of two smaller islands, Taulud and Massawa. The islands are a popular attraction because of the abundance of open air markets and entertaining festivals that take place. The buildings on the island are also another reason why people visit, most buildings are made from sea coral which used to be a popular building material. On Taulud Island, is the public library which is a spectacular landmark. There are several hotels on the islands that provide stellar accommodations for tourists, such as; Central Hotel, the Luna Hotel, the Red Sea Hotel, and the most elite of all, the Dahlak Hotel.

The Amsara Zoo is an interesting place for tourists to experience. There is a British cemetery located at the entrance to the zoo, a playground, restaurant, bar and gazebo near the bird sanctuary. The zoo is home to hyenas, snakes, ostrich and a wide array of other animals.

In the summer months in Eritrea, the temperatures can be exceptionally hot and climb to up to 100 °F on the western side of the country. While temperatures rarely, if ever, drop below 64 °F, winters in the months of December to February can bring freezing temperatures that vary greatly between night and day. The best time to travel to Eritrea and experience all the great things the country has to offer, would be during the months of November through May.