Eritrea Red Sea Places of Interest

Massawa -

Gurgusum is a beautiful, white sandy beach situated north of Massawa. . The beaches are clean and free of the crowds that swarm most pristine beaches making it an ideal place to suntan, swim, sail, scuba dive and snorkel.

Asmara -

The Corinthian columns of the Neoclassical Governor's Palace, the Opera House, the Catholica Cathedral and the Cinema Impero can all be seen on Harnet Avenue which is the main road. Italian architecture's can still be seen all over the city with grand displays of Art-Deco villas. Asmara's National Museum exhibits Eritrea's ethnic groups and the main archaeological sites.

Nakfa -

A visit to Nakfa will give you a better understanding of what took place on the country's battlefields and the self-determination of the Eritrean people. The city served as the headquarters of the resistance movement during their long fight for independence and as a result has now become one of the most popular spots for touring Ethiopian bombs and bullets. Many of the underground facilities used by the rebels are still accessible. From here you can see the twin peaks of Den Den where the rebels transmitted during the war. The mosque is the only building that 'survived' the Ethiopian attack and still bears the gaping hole left by the assault. Eritreans see Nakfa as a result of their hard fight for independence and are proud to have their country's currency (the Eritrean Nakfa) named after it.

Eritrea Red Sea Visas & Embassies

Visas are required by all visitors. They should be obtained in advance from an Eritrean Embassy or Consulate before entering the country. You'll need one passport photo for your tourist visa which are single-entry only and valid for a month. Your passport must also be valid for at least three months. Visitors must hold a return/onward ticket. There is a $20 US dollar departure tax when leaving Eritrea and payment must be made in dollars, NOT in nakfas.

Locate your local embassy to find out the latest developments and travel advisories. Most embassies recommend that you register with them in case they need to contact you.

Eritrea Red Sea Health & Hospitals

Health risks: Malaria is a risk by the Red Sea and anywhere else that's less than 2000m (6500ft) above sea level, Dengue Fever is endemic, Diarrhoea, Giardiasis, Dehydration, and Intestinal Worms. Your Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Typhoid and Hepatitis A and B should all be up to date before leaving. An international health insurance policy is highly recommended. Most insurance policies do not cover divers, so check if you need additional insurance for this.

Visitors should bring a supply of any necessary drugs (Paracetamol, anti-malaria tablets and Loperamide for acute diarrhoea) and prescriptions. A basic first aid kid is also a good idea. It should contain painkiller/antipyretic/anti-inflammatory tabs, antihistamine tabs & cream, decongestant, multi-vitamins/iron, wide spectrum antibiotic, seasickness tabs, intestinal antiseptic, diarrhea tabs, rehydration salts, antiseptic solution, antibiotic spray & cream, antifungal cream/powder, insect repellent, sting relief cream/spray, bandages, plasters, adhesive & sterile dressings, non-sticking antibiotic dressings, gauze, steri-strips, cotton wool, syringes & needles. Check the expiry dates on all medicines and prescriptions. When traveling, it is highly recommended that you keep the written prescription with your medication. Many of the larger Hotels in the Red Sea have a doctor on call, and the bigger cities have private hospitals, of which some offer very reliable medical care, are clean and equipped with latest technology.

Medical services are adequate throughout the country. However, modern facilities are not always available and supplies can be irregular. Chemists and drugstores can be found in larger towns. The Central Hospital Makane Hiwet in Asmara, is the most extensive and best equipped. Private doctors and clinics are also available.

When traveling to the Red Sea with its desert environment, the three major hazards are dehydration, sunburn and an upset stomach. Drink plenty of mineral water and isotonic drinks (like coke and sprite), use high-factor sunscreens and wear a hat and sunglasses. A change in diet often results in upset stomachs. Never drink tap water, and check the seal on bottled water. Prefer cooked food or peeled fresh fruit/vegetables, and use mineral water to brush your teeth, and to wash fruit/vegetables. Eat in restaurants that are busy, and where both the establishment and the staff look clean. Public toilets are better avoided. Use the toilet facilities of mid to top-range hotels, and of western-style or tourist restaurants.

Eritrea Red Sea Local Time & Weather
Time: GMT/UTC +3

Eritrea Red Sea Transportation

Public transport is well organized in Asmara. Eritrea has a good network of roads. Asphalt all-weather roads connect the capital city Asmara with Massawa and several other provincial towns. In addition, there are hundreds of kilometers of all-weather dirt roads linking other villages of Eritrea.

Eritrea Red Sea Bus

Buses and mini buses have specific stops where they can be boarded. The mini busses follow the routes of the public busses.
They are faster, not numbered and generally crowded. There is normally a cashier selling tickets in the back of the public buses.

Local Bus Routes in Asmara

LINE ROUTE

Line Number 1 Airport / Sembel / Asmara Intercontinental hotel

Line Number 2 Gaza Banda

Line Number 3 Mede Ertra bus station

Line Number 4 Mede Ertra bus station

Line Number 5 Adi Segdo

Line Number 6 Nakfa House

Line Number 7 Akrya

Line Number 8 Nakfa House

Line Number 9 Mede Ertra bus station

Line Number 10 Gaza Banda

Line Number 11 Mede Ertra bus station

Line Number 12 Mede Ertra bus station

Line Number 13 Seghen / Mai Tamanai

Line Number 14 Mede Ertra bus station

Line Number 15 Mede Ertra bus station

Line Number 16 Mede Ertra bus station

Distances between Asmara and other cities:
Asmara - Assab (700 km)
Asmara - Agordat (150 km)
Asmara - Adi Keih (110 km)
Asmara - Adi Quala (85 km)
Asmara - Barentu (225 km)
Asmara - Dekemhare (40 km)
Asmara - Ghinda (50 km)
Asmara - Keren (91 km)
Asmara - Massawa or Adi Keih (115 km)
Asmara - Mendefera (60 km)
Asmara - Nefasit (25km)
Asmara - Senafe (135 km)

Eritrea Red Sea Plane

Asmara - Asmara International Airport (ASM/HHAS)
Asmara International Airport is visited by:
Eritrean Airlines (Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Rome)
Lufthansa (Frankfurt)
Egypt Air (Cairo)
Yemenia (Sana'a)
Saudia (Jeddah)


Eritrea Red Sea Taxi

Taxis can be hailed anywhere along the main city streets. Taxis are not metered. Negotiate the price before getting into the taxi! Taxi fares are higher in the evening and you pay extra for any luggage carried. Taxi's can also be contracted as an efficient means of transport to various Eritrean towns and villages.

Eritrea Red Sea Train

The railway was built by the Italians to link the capital with the port of Massawa. It is an engineering miracle of 115 kilometers of winding track with 30 tunnels and 60 bridges. Unfortunately, it was destroyed during the 30 year struggle for freedom. However, the railway and the trains are now slowly being restored, The last parts of the Asmara - Massawa track were finished in early 2003. Since the train is not competitive to bus transport, there is no time table. The trains can also be chartered by groups.
Eritrean Railways telephone: +291-1-123365

Eritrea Red Sea FAQs

Still have questions? Maybe these frequently asked questions will answer your question.

What do I need to bring?
Most things that you might need are readily available, although some things maybe more expensive than at home, like film material, sunglasses, sunscreen, certain toiletries.

What should I wear?
For shore holidays beachwear, shorts and T-shirts are acceptable, but inland, especially women, should wear more conservative clothing

Do I need to bring a jacket?
A sweater or jacket is advisable as nights can be quite chilly and cold winds blow along the Red Sea in the winter months of November to March.

When is the best time to go diving?
Diving in the Red Sea is great year round. However, water temperatures decrease considerably between November and March. Water temperatures reach a high of 24 and a low of 20.

When is the best time of year to visit Eritrea?
In terms of climate, the worst time to visit Eritrea is June to August, when the rainfall is at its highest in the highlands and the west, and when the eastern lowlands are sun-baked to within an inch of their geographical existence. The best time is from March to April and September to October.

What is the voltage in Eritrea?
Electricity: 110V and 220V ,50HZ and 60Hz

What about laundry facilities?
If you are staying in a hotel they can arrange to have your laundry sent out. There are few self-serve Laundromats to be found, but there are numerous laundries where they will wash and iron your clothes for you. Short of this you can always do it the old fashioned way- by hand!

Eritrea Red Sea Currencies & Banks

ATMs are becoming a common sight and most accept the Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus, and Plus system. This is a good way to avoid carrying a lot of cash and ensures that you get the latest exchange rate. However, check with your bank before leaving home as some PIN numbers are not compatible due to foreign keypads and some banks charge a small fortune to withdraw money overseas. Cash advances can be taken out on Visa and MasterCard at most major banks, be sure to have your passport ready for this. Most banks will also cash travelers cheques, although you can often get a better rate at money changing booths. Again, don't forget your passport for cashing travelers cheques.

Eritrea uses the Eritrean Nakfa

Eritrea Red Sea Culture & Traditions

Nearly one-third of Eritrea population (4.5 million) are nomadi or semi-nomadic. The Tirgrinya language is spoken in the highlands, while Arabic is widely spoken along the Sudanese border and Red Sea Coast. In the cities, you will find that English is widely spoken. Christianity and Islam compete for religious supremacy although neither one is a clear winner. The majority of the Christians are primarily Orthodox, with the minorities being Roman Catholics and Protestants. The Muslims are primarily Sunnis, with Sufis being the minority.

Eritreans love to dance to celebrate life, marriage and religious festivals. Their traditional instruments are the stringed krar and the wata, both of which are derived from Ethiopian musical instruments. There's plenty of variety in the music played around the country because each of the ethnic groups keeps a different beat and dances to a different tune.

Eritrea Red Sea Climate & Environment

Eritrea is a small country on the east coast of Africa covering an area of 124, 320 sq. kilometers. It shares its northern border with Sudan, its southern border with Djibouti and Ethiopia.

Eritrea is divided into 3 main geographical zones; the western lowlands, the fertile farming central highland region, and the eastern escarpment and coastal plains. The eastern part of the country is mostly desert and is home to one of the most hostile & hostile regions on earth, Danakalia. Northeast of Asmara you will find a tropical woodland. Over 350 tiny islands dot the waters of Eritrea's Red Sea coast, over half of which make up the Dahlak Archipelago.

Eritrea's wildlife includes wild cats, Abyssinian hares, jackals, warthogs and gazelles, plus over 500 species of birds. Occasionally you can see elephants and lions (in the west) and oryxes and crocodiles. Underwater life in the Red Sea includes magnificent coral reefs, dugongs and turtles. Sadly, due to the war and the resulting destruction of habitats, almost every animal in Eritrea now faces extinction within the country itself.

Every country has its own delicate eco-system. So be responsible while you are appreciating the beauty. If you are in the desert, the rule is v Pack it in, Pack it out. If you are in a protected park, stick to the trail. Wandering away can cause unforeseen damage to the delicate plant and animal life. Be conscious of things like water consumption, proper waste disposal, and turning off air-conditioning units when away from your room. Water is a precious commodity in the desert regions.

In the Red Sea, do not feed the fish, do not collect or remove any material either living or dead, and do not touch the coral reef with any part of your body including your fins! Thanks to a growing number of dedicated environmental agencies, there is a greater knowledge of Reef Protection awareness.

Red Sea Eritrea

Eritrea is a small African country located on the southern most point of the Red Sea. It is bordered by Sudan in the North and Ethiopia & Djibouti in the South. Eritrea's war torn past is quickly being left behind as its people are vigorously pursuing peace in place of conflict. Eritreans are finally being given a chance to show off their vibrance and friendliness. More and more fascinating archaeological ruins are being discovered around the country, while its Red Sea waters are luring divers with promises of flourishing marine life.

Red Sea Asmara

Many think of the capital of Eritrea as an Italian built colonial city. However, the city of Asmara dates back some 700 years. It is by far the largest city in Eritrea with its population reaching over 400,000. Unlike many other cities & towns in Eritrea, Asmara is relatively undamaged and is possibly the safest African capital for travelers. Sitting atop the Eritrean highlands at 2,350 meters, Asmara is one of the cleanest cities in Africa. The streets are elegantly lined with palms and a string of boutiques, coffee-shops and restaurants reminiscent of what one might find in the south of Italy.

Red Sea Assab
Assab now is an important, modern port with a more Ethiopian than Eritrean feel to it. It was chosen for its strategic location near the straits of Bab el Mandeb and the possibility that it could someday become an important trading station between Ethiopia and Arabia.


Red Sea Massawa

Once the biggest and most secure port on Africa's East Coat, Massawa is now Eritrea's main port. It suffered terrible damage during the war, but is back in operation managing an enormous amount of merchandise. Massawa boasts the largest, natural deep-water port on the Red Sea. The town itself still retains a great charm, especially at night when the tiny alleyways between the Turkish-Egyptian and Italian buildings come to life.


Red Sea Nakfa

Nakfa is located about 220km north of Asmara. The city served as the headquarters of the resistance movement during their long fight for independence and as a result has now become one of the most popular spots for touring Ethiopian bombs and bullets. Eritreans see Nakfa as a result of their hard fight for independence and are proud to have their country's currency (the Eritrean Nakfa) named after it.