Africa · Eastern Africa

Eritrea

State of Eritrea

Flag of Eritrea
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+03:00
🏛️ Capital
Asmara
👥 Population
3,607,000
📐 Area
117,600 km²
💱 Currency
Eritrean nakfa (Nfk)
🗣️ Languages
Arabic, English, Tigrinya
📞 Calling Code
+291
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+03:00
🌐 Region
Africa / Eastern Africa

About Eritrea

Eritrea is Africa's most enigmatic destination — a country that guards its secrets carefully and reveals them slowly to those patient enough to look. Perched along the Red Sea coast and rising dramatically through highlands to the edge of the Danakil Depression, this small nation packs an almost implausible range of landscapes into its borders. Italian colonial architecture lines the streets of Asmara in such remarkable preservation that the capital earned UNESCO World Heritage status, while ancient port cities and coral-fringed islands hint at a civilization stretching back millennia.

Traveling through Eritrea feels like stepping into a suspended moment. Asmara's wide boulevards, modernist cinemas, and Art Deco cafés carry the ambiance of a 1930s Italian city, yet they are populated by Eritreans going about their daily lives with quiet dignity and warmth. Mopeds weave past pedestrians dressed in flowing white shawls, and the scent of roasting coffee mingles with the morning air. Outside the capital, the landscape becomes starkly beautiful — rocky highland plateaus, terraced hillside farms, and the distant shimmering haze of the Afar lowlands.

The Red Sea coast offers world-class diving and snorkeling in waters that see very few foreign visitors, making encounters with manta rays, reef sharks, and untouched coral gardens feel genuinely exclusive. The Dahlak Archipelago, a chain of desert islands scattered across turquoise shallows, is one of Africa's least explored marine environments. For travelers willing to navigate the visa requirements and limited tourist infrastructure, Eritrea offers an Africa that is unlike anywhere else.

History & Background

The territory of modern Eritrea has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and its Red Sea coast made it a coveted prize for successive empires. The ancient Aksumite Empire, centered in what is today Ethiopia and Eritrea, was one of the world's great ancient powers, trading across the Red Sea with Rome, Persia, and India. Its legacy survives in the standing obelisks and ruins scattered across the highlands. Ottoman Turks controlled the coast for several centuries, followed by the Egyptians, before Italy colonized the territory in 1889 and named it Eritrea after the Latin name for the Red Sea.

Italian rule lasted until World War II, leaving behind the remarkable modernist cityscape of Asmara and a road and railway infrastructure that still partially functions. After Italian defeat, Britain administered the territory until 1952, when the UN federated Eritrea with Ethiopia. Ethiopia's annexation of Eritrea in 1962 sparked a thirty-year armed independence struggle that became one of Africa's longest liberation wars. Eritrea finally won independence in 1991 and held a formal referendum in 1993, achieving UN recognition as a sovereign state with near-unanimous popular support.

Culture & People

Eritrea's culture reflects the extraordinary diversity of its nine recognized ethnic groups, each with distinct languages, traditions, and ways of life. The Tigrinya-speaking Eritreans of the highlands form the largest group and are predominantly Christian, practicing a form of Orthodox Christianity with deep roots stretching back to the fourth century. Their festivals, church music, and elaborate fasting traditions give the highlands a spiritual intensity that is profoundly moving. The lowland communities include Muslim groups such as the Tigre and Saho peoples, whose nomadic pastoralist traditions and Islamic observances add further layers to the national tapestry.

The coffee ceremony is a cornerstone of Eritrean hospitality — an elaborate ritual involving three rounds of coffee, burning incense, and conversation that can last well over an hour. Refusing an invitation to participate is considered impolite. Traditional music played on the krar (a stringed instrument) and meleket flute accompanies weddings and religious festivals, while colorful embroidered dresses and hand-woven shawls remain everyday wear in many highland villages.

Food & Cuisine

Eritrean cuisine shares deep roots with Ethiopian cooking but carries its own distinct identity shaped by the country's coastal geography and Italian colonial legacy. Injera — a spongy, fermented flatbread — is the foundation of most meals, served with an array of stews called tsebhi. Tsebhi dorho, a rich chicken stew with a hard-boiled egg simmered in berbere-spiced sauce, is the dish of choice for celebrations. Along the Red Sea coast, fresh grilled fish seasoned with cumin and fenugreek is served with rice and tomato salad in a style that reflects the country's historical connections to Yemen and the Arabian Peninsula.

The Italian colonial period left a genuine pasta culture that locals have embraced as their own. Pasta with meat sauce, pizza-style flatbreads, and espresso served in proper Italian cups are morning staples across Asmara. Zigni, a spiced meat stew, is one of the most beloved national dishes, slow-cooked for hours with onions, garlic, and clarified butter. Meals are communal affairs eaten by hand from a shared platter, and finishing everything on the plate is the highest compliment you can pay a host.

Top Attractions

  • Asmara UNESCO City — A stunning time capsule of 1930s Italian Modernist, Art Deco, and Futurist architecture in remarkable everyday use.
  • Dahlak Archipelago — Remote Red Sea islands with pristine coral reefs, sunken Italian warships, and virtually no other tourists.
  • Massawa Old Town — A historic port city with Ottoman-era coral-stone buildings, ancient mosques, and fresh seafood at harbor restaurants.
  • Qohaito Archaeological Site — Ancient Aksumite ruins including a dam, temples, and carved stelae in a breathtaking highland setting.
  • Filfil Solomuna Forest — A rare remnant of subtropical montane forest, home to green monkeys and extraordinary birdlife.
  • Asmara Fiat Tagliero Building — An iconic 1938 Futurist service station designed without supporting columns, a marvel of engineering and audacity.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Obtain your visa well in advance — the process requires an invitation letter or travel agency coordination and can take several weeks.
  • Register with local authorities on arrival in each region; your hotel or guide can usually arrange this formality.
  • The Eritrean nakfa (ERN) cannot be exchanged outside the country; bring US dollars or euros to exchange locally.
  • Independent travel outside Asmara requires permits for many areas; arrange these through a licensed local tour operator.
  • Internet and mobile connectivity are very limited; download offline maps and essential information before you travel.
  • Dress conservatively, especially in Muslim lowland areas and when visiting Orthodox churches — cover shoulders and knees.
  • Photography of military personnel, government buildings, and infrastructure is strictly prohibited and can result in serious trouble.

Visa Overview

Eritrea requires advance visas for all foreign visitors, and the process is among the most involved in Africa. Travelers typically need a letter of invitation from an Eritrean organization or a booking through a licensed Eritrean tour operator. Apply at your nearest Eritrean embassy at least four to six weeks before travel. A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is required. US, UK, and EU citizens are eligible to apply but must follow the embassy-specific process in their country.

Getting Around

Asmara's Asmara International Airport receives flights from several African and Middle Eastern hubs, with Eritrean Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines operating regular routes. Within the country, taxis and shared minibuses connect major towns, but many roads outside the capital require a 4WD vehicle. A restored rack railway between Asmara and Massawa offers a spectacular scenic descent but runs irregularly. Hiring a driver through a local tour operator is the most practical way to explore beyond the capital.

Safety Notes

Eritrea is generally considered safe for visitors within permitted travel zones. Crime against tourists is very rare, and locals are consistently hospitable. However, the border regions with Ethiopia, Sudan, and Djibouti can be volatile — avoid these areas entirely. Landmines remain a concern in some rural areas from the independence war period. Always travel with a registered guide outside Asmara, adhere strictly to photography restrictions, and keep your travel documents and permits on your person at all times.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Eritrea.

Eritrean nakfa (ERN) Nfk
Updated: 2026-05-19
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.728436
AAVE 0.000749
ADA 0.265158
AED 0.244833
AFN 4.167249
AKT 0.082701
ALGO 0.620837
ALL 5.471364
AMD 24.535515
AMP 79.679445
ANG 0.120109
AOA 61.238317
APE 0.462274
APT 0.070613
AR 0.031206
ARB 0.570405
ARS 93.072833
ATOM 0.032404
ATS 0.788020
AUD 0.093409
AVAX 0.007223
AWG 0.119333
AXS 0.056775
AZM 566.668867
AZN 0.113334
BAKE 90.167628
BAM 0.112006
BAT 0.688112
BBD 0.133333
BCH 0.000175
BDT 8.192251
BEF 2.310172
BGN 0.112006
BHD 0.025067
BIF 198.604927
BMD 0.066667
BNB 0.000104
BND 0.085336
BOB 0.462056
BRL 0.333986
BSD 0.066667
BSV 0.004431
BSW 77.887938
BTC 0.000001
BTG 0.173303
BTN 6.425941
BTT 207,215.469383
BUSD 0.066700
BWP 0.906337
BYN 0.183333
BYR 1,833.326425
BZD 0.134182
CAD 0.091652
CAKE 0.047158
CDF 152.996677
CELO 0.828484
CFX 1.132149
CHF 0.052388
CHZ 1.355897
CLP 60.068415
CNH 0.453601
CNY 0.453445
COMP 0.003026
COP 253.275972
CRC 30.181082
CRO 0.953995
CRV 0.282560
CSPR 22.567743
CUC 0.066667
CUP 1.599670
CVE 6.314906
CVX 0.038411
CYP 0.033517
CZK 1.392217
DAI 0.066700
DASH 0.001554
DCR 0.003961
DEM 0.112006
DFI 67.890695
DJF 11.862591
DKK 0.427948
DOGE 0.639186
DOP 3.946390
DOT 0.053386
DYDX 0.460907
DZD 8.850535
EEK 0.896047
EGLD 0.017008
EGP 3.554831
ENJ 1.552197
EOS 0.824131
ESP 9.528539
ETB 10.497688
ETC 0.007486
ETH 0.000031
EUR 0.057268
EURC 0.057223
FEI 0.066921
FIL 0.069084
FIM 0.340498
FJD 0.147006
FKP 0.049703
FLOW 1.847511
FLR 7.980874
FRAX 0.067136
FRF 0.375651
FTT 0.206335
GALA 19.827622
GBP 0.049703
GEL 0.178099
GGP 0.049703
GHC 7,626.611826
GHS 0.762661
GIP 0.049703
GMD 4.924892
GMX 0.010076
GNF 584.785716
GNO 0.000564
GRD 19.513960
GRT 2.650665
GT 0.009397
GTQ 0.508225
GUSD 0.066815
GYD 13.943108
HBAR 0.740630
HKD 0.522086
HNL 1.773483
HNT 0.080949
HOT 168.023322
HRK 0.431483
HT 0.459739
HTG 8.725843
HUF 20.650382
ICP 0.025813
IDR 1,181.674624
IEP 0.045102
ILS 0.193489
IMP 0.049703
IMX 0.391627
INJ 0.012791
INR 6.425941
IQD 87.350707
IRR 87,877.378951
ISK 8.212134
ITL 110.885677
JEP 0.049703
JMD 10.541790
JOD 0.047267
JPY 10.595597
KAS 1.929124
KAVA 1.157572
KCS 0.008322
KDA 8.014671
KES 8.621228
KGS 5.831785
KHR 267.379667
KLAY 1.281668
KMF 28.173848
KNC 0.464322
KPW 59.998694
KRW 100.345056
KSM 0.013388
KWD 0.020523
KYD 0.055450
KZT 31.282020
LAK 1,462.300013
LBP 5,976.527998
LDO 0.187186
LEO 0.006609
LINK 0.006878
LKR 22.202559
LRC 4.113562
LRD 12.218586
LSL 1.109953
LTC 0.001228
LTL 0.197734
LUF 2.310172
LUNA 1.053306
LUNC 848.185835
LVL 0.040248
LYD 0.423325
MAD 0.613532
MANA 0.756446
MBX 1.702519
MDL 1.153673
MGA 278.956318
MGF 1,394.781591
MINA 1.167022
MKD 3.529075
MKR 0.000039
MMK 139.949692
MNT 238.598641
MOP 0.537748
MRO 26.654946
MRU 2.665495
MTL 0.024585
MUR 3.152202
MVR 1.029639
MWK 116.030484
MXN 1.153650
MXV 0.130547
MYR 0.264955
MZM 4,258.027346
MZN 4.258027
NAD 1.109953
NEAR 0.041317
NEO 0.023058
NEXO 0.074952
NFT 235,712.838750
NGN 91.404211
NIO 2.450507
NLG 0.126201
NOK 0.618241
NPR 10.286325
NZD 0.113869
OKB 0.000815
OMR 0.025645
ONE 32.523758
OP 0.519262
ORDI 0.016016
PAB 0.066667
PAXG 0.000015
PEN 0.228149
PEPE 18,103.043803
PGK 0.294541
PHP 4.114075
PI 0.439204
PKR 18.573736
PLN 0.242951
POL 0.733406
PTE 11.481138
PYG 405.762862
QAR 0.242667
QNT 0.000891
QTUM 0.073831
ROL 2,983.332430
RON 0.298333
RPL 0.038413
RSD 6.721479
RUB 4.831664
RUNE 0.148964
RVN 12.062670
RWF 97.474262
SAND 0.925731
SAR 0.2500
SBD 0.533744
SCR 0.978707
SDD 4,001.539522
SDG 40.015395
SEK 0.627271
SGD 0.085336
SHIB 11,566.071737
SHP 0.049703
SIT 13.723625
SKK 1.725246
SLE 1.526991
SLL 1,526.991401
SNX 0.215220
SOL 0.000784
SOS 38.095731
SPL 0.011111
SRD 2.481654
SRG 2,481.653593
SSP 314.308588
STD 1,418.183193
STN 1.418183
STX 0.279082
SUI 0.063008
SVC 0.583333
SYP 7.369044
SZL 1.109953
THB 2.174687
THETA 0.337682
TJS 0.620554
TMM 1,169.073898
TMT 0.233815
TND 0.193607
TON 0.033131
TOP 0.158595
TRL 3,038,898.637741
TRX 0.186909
TRY 3.038899
TTD 0.452203
TUSD 0.066748
TVD 0.093409
TWD 2.109185
TWT 0.139519
TZS 173.468050
UAH 2.942770
UGX 251.246464
UNI 0.018881
USD 0.066667
USDC 0.066689
USDD 0.066735
USDP 0.066757
USDT 0.066728
UYU 2.672242
UZS 802.135124
VAL 110.885677
VEB 3,448,840,866.549869
VED 34.486870
VEF 3,448,687.002518
VES 34.486870
VET 9.896920
VND 1,755.360508
VUV 7.915596
WAVES 0.175405
WEMIX 0.246790
WOO 3.947553
WST 0.179670
XAF 37.565131
XAG 0.000876
XAU 0.000015
XAUT 0.000015
XBT 0.000001
XCD 0.180490
XCG 0.120109
XCH 0.024019
XDC 2.144596
XDR 0.048771
XEC 9,088.359634
XEM 100.170026
XLM 0.454107
XMR 0.000172
XOF 37.565131
XPD 0.000048
XPF 6.833851
XPT 0.000034
XRP 0.048232
XTZ 0.194975
YER 15.907995
ZAR 1.109953
ZEC 0.000116
ZIL 16.956762
ZMK 1,259.999838
ZMW 1.260000
ZWD 24.126667
ZWG 1.727348
ZWL 4,316.166532

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Cities in Eritrea 63
Browse all cities and towns
/ قلاس / Glass Addi K'eyih Addi Kwala Addi Ugri Adi Ahiderom Adi Quala ዓዲ ዃላ عدي خوالا Adi Tekelezan ዓዲ ተከሌዛን عدي تكليزان Ak'ordat Asmara Asseb Badme ባድመ بادمة Barentu Beylul Dedda ዴዳ ددا Dek'emhare Dekemhare ደቀምሓረ دقمحري Edd Emahmime ام همميمي Gahtelay ጋሕቴላይ قحتلاي Gheleb ገለብ خلب Ghinda ጊንዳዕ جندع Ginda Gogne ጐኘ جوني Golij ጐልጅ غلج Hagaz ሓጋዝ حقاز Himbirti Jurna جورنا Keren Maydima ማይድማ ماء ديما Mersa Fatma Mitsiwa Mogolo موغولو Nefasit Omhajer أم هاجر Segeneiti ሰገነይቲ سغنيتي Sen'afe Teraemni ተራእምኒ ترائمني Teseney Tiyo ጢዖ طيعوا Tocombia ቶኾምብያ توخومبيا Tsazega ጸዓዘጋ صعازغا Tzada Christian ጻዕዳ ክርስትያን صعدا كرستيان መንደፈራ Mendefera مندفرا መጠራ ማይ ምነ Mai Mine ماء منه ምጽዋዕ Massawa مصوع ሰንዓፈ Senafe صنعفي ሻምብቆ Shambiko شامبيكو ባረንቱ Barentu بارنتو ተሰነይ Teseney تسني ናቕፋ Nakfa نقفا ኣስመራ Asmara أسمرة ኣቑርደት Akordat أغوردات ኣፍዓበት أفعبت Af'abet እምባ ደርሆ Emba Derho إمبا درهو እንዳገርግስ Enda Giorgis إندا جرجس ከረን Keren كرن ዓሰብ Assab عصب ዓዲ ቐይሕ Adi Keyh عدي قيح ዙላ Zula زولا ድባርዋ Debarwa دباروا ጾሮና ፎሮ Foro فورو

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Eritrea needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Eritrea?
The capital of Eritrea is Asmara.
What currency does Eritrea use?
Eritrea uses the Eritrean nakfa (Nfk) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Eritrea?
The official language(s) of Eritrea include Arabic, English, Tigrinya.
What is the population of Eritrea?
Eritrea has a population of approximately 3,607,000 people.
What region is Eritrea in?
Eritrea is located in Africa, specifically in the Eastern Africa subregion.
What is the international calling code for Eritrea?
The international dialing code for Eritrea is +291.
What time zones does Eritrea observe?
Eritrea observes the following time zone(s): UTC+03:00.
What is the current time in Eritrea?
The local time in Eritrea is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Eritrea?
Eritrea covers a total area of 117,600 km².
How many states or provinces does Eritrea have?
Eritrea is divided into 12 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Eritrea in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Eritrea in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Eritrea?
Visa requirements for citizens of Eritrea vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.