Visa application form link: Visa Formular. Passport copy, one photo. Flight/hotel/itinerary/employment letter needed. €50. All land borders closed.
VOA arranged by tour guide but requires a LOI (code). Guide applies for permission at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, when approved they get a code which is the LOI. May not be possible if have Eritrea Embassy in own country. Embassy in Rome best without an Eritrean embassy in their own country? Cairo Eritrean Embassy. Need proof of residency + HR letter
Permits required for each city/destination outside of Asmara. Issued at the Tourism Office in Asmara, weekdays only, takes one day. Make photocopies of permit and visa as need for checkpoints. Possible without tour guide.
Tours. Often don’t reply because they can’t. $1.4K USD per person for a 4-night itinerary.
1. Damera Tours. Kahsai Berhane dameratours@gmail.com / kahsai@me.com.
2. Asmara Grande. Tekeste Asghedom. www.asmaragrande.com / tekeste.azere@gmail.com asmaragrandeasmara@gmail.com. +291 11110672/+291 7116317
3. Medhanie, Whatsapp +2917403639 $40/day, $70/two days.
Money. Bring enough USD cash or EUR for the entire trip – No ATMs. Get €/$ 50 changed at the airport and then at the cambios in Asmara, also Taxi drivers can change money.
SIM cards. Not available for foreigners and even if you were able to get one, there is no data. Internet cafes in Asmara, slow and you need a VPN. Ask any local to make a phone call for you using their phone.
Tips
Download Google Maps of Eritrea & pin everything
Bring a good Power Bank as electricity comes and go. None at night.
Book your first night’s accommodation before you arrive
Bring clothes for all seasons (cool in Asmara, hot in Massawa)
Safety good. Curfew at 11pm.
Accommodation: Africa Pension 26 USD per night for 2, near the Crystal Hotel. Great value
Crystal hotel 83 USD per night with breakfast for 2, has wifi slightly better than Africa Pension
Food. Gelato da Fortuna, Spaghetti house (good value for money), Pizza Napoli
Transportation. Taxis from airport 200 – 300 Nakfas ($14 – 20 USD) to the main part of the city. Train not working.
SEE
Massawa, Foro, and Keren. Tanks graveyards
Dahlak Archipelago (good boat ride, snorkelling with good reefs, camp on island. Contact Giuseppe Vaccaro of Giuva Tour),
Archaeological site of Adulis close to Foro. Need permit at the Red Sea History Museum in Massawa or will be refused.
M@P: Eritrea/Ethiopia (disputed) – Badme Triangle
Tentative WHS: Qoahito Cultural Landscape (02/03/2011)
Borders
Eritrea-Ethiopia
Eritrea-Sudan
XL
Akhran border zone
African Cities
ASMARA World Cities and Popular Towns World Capitals
Airports Asmara (ASM)
World Heritage Sites: Asmara: A Modernist African City
Urban Legends: Asmara: Fiat Tagliero
History, Culture, National and City Museums: Asmara: National Museum of Eritrea
Architectural Delights
Asmara: Fiat Tagliero Building
Asmara: Governor’s Palace
Asmara: World Bank Building
Religious Temples
Asmara: Church of Our Lady of the Rosary
Asmara: Enda Mariam Cathedral
Asmara: Great Mosque of Asmara
Monuments: Asmara: Sandal Monument
Markets
Asmara: Medebar Market
Asmara: The Shuq
The Dark Side: Asmara: Tank Graveyard
KEREN
Castles, Palaces, Forts: Keren: Keren Fort
The Dark Side: Keren: War Cemeteries
MENDEFERA
TESENEY
Vestiges of the Past
Qohaito
Sembel Archaeological Site
World of Nature
Gash-Setit Wildlife Reserve
Semenawi Bahri National Park
Yob Wildlife Reserve
Rivers
Barka River
Mareb River
Tekkeze/Setit River
Festivals: Festival Eritrea
Experiences
Ashenda
Meskel
=================
Eritrea – North and South Red Sea (Massawa, Assab)
| M@P Eritrea – Assab Bay islands |
| Eritrea – Dahlak archipelago |
Islands
Dahlak Archipelago smaller islands
Dahlak Kebir
Borders
Eritrea (sea border/port)
Eritrea-Ethiopia
Eritrea-Sudan
XL
Dankalia southern (Assab)
North (Nakfa)
Villages and Small Towns
MASSAWA OLD TOWN
History, Culture, National and City Museums: Massawa: Massawa Museum
Religious Temples: Massawa: Massawa Central Mosque
The Dark Side
Massawa: Imperial Palace (ruin)
Massawa: Memorial Plaza for Victims of Massawa Battle
Religious Temples
Nefasit: Debre Bizen
Nefasit: Debre Bizen
World of Nature
Dahlak Marine National Park
Filfil Rainforest
Experiences
Ashenda
Meskel
