Why visit
Asmara is the capital of Eritrea. A practical starting point for museums, food, and onward routes into the country.
Eritrea at a glance
Country center
15.0°, 39.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
117,600 km²
45,406 mi²
Subregion
Eastern Africa
Currency
Eritrean nakfa (Nfk)
ERN
Dial
+291
Languages
Arabic, English, Tigrinya
Demonym
Eritrean
Internet
.er
UN
Member state
ISO code
ER / ERI
Where in the world
15.0° · 39.0°
Eritrea
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Did you know
- Eritrea won independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year war, making it one of Africa's youngest nations.
- Asmara's modernist Italian colonial architecture makes it Africa's "Art Deco capital", recognized by UNESCO.
- Eritrea has one of the oldest Christian traditions in the world: Christianity arrived here in the 4th century CE.
Bordering Eritrea
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Asmara
What currency is used in Asmara?
Asmara uses the Eritrean nakfa (Nfk), ISO code ERN.
What languages are spoken in Eritrea?
The primary languages are Arabic, English and Tigrinya.
What is the international calling code for Eritrea?
The calling code is +291.
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