Why visit
Eritrea's capital Asmara is a UNESCO-listed time capsule of Italian modernist architecture, and the Dahlak Archipelago holds nearly untouched Red Sea reefs. Independent travel is tightly controlled and permits are required outside Asmara.
Country - Africa
Eritrea
culturenatureadventure
How to use this result
Use it as a country shortlist
Eritrea works best as a first-pass travel idea. Start with the region, season, and themes on this page, then compare flights, entry rules, safety guidance, and local transport before treating it as a real option.
Compare the capital and side trips
Use Asmara as the administrative starting point, then check whether the strongest trip idea is actually the capital, a coastal area, a nature route, or another city in Eritrea.
At a glance
Location
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
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
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
Traveler notes
- Asmara's Fiat Tagliero building is a futurist icon from 1938
- The Massawa coast mixes Ottoman, Egyptian, and Italian layers
- Conventional tourism is currently very limited; permits govern all movement
Plan checks
- Start research with the capital Asmara, then compare two or three other regions.
- Check passport validity, visa rules, health requirements, and travel insurance for current conditions.
- Bring layered clothing and verify trail/park access before arrival.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Eritrea
What is the capital of Eritrea?
Asmara is the capital of Eritrea.
What currency does Eritrea use?
Eritrea uses the Eritrean nakfa (Nfk), ISO code ERN.
What languages are spoken in Eritrea?
The primary languages are Arabic, English and Tigrinya.
Is Eritrea landlocked?
No, Eritrea has a coastline.
What countries border Eritrea?
Eritrea borders Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan.
What is the international calling code for Eritrea?
The calling code is +291.
Other Africa destinations
Gambia
The Gambia is a river with a country around it, and West Africa's easiest first stop. Atlantic beach resorts near Banjul, river trips past Kunta Kinteh Island, and more than 500 recorded bird species in a country smaller than Connecticut.
Ghana
Ghana is West Africa's most accessible introduction: the slave forts of Cape Coast and Elmina, Kakum's canopy walkway, Ashanti culture around Kumasi, and Accra's music and food scene.
Guinea
Guinea is the source of the Niger River and home to the Fouta Djallon highlands, a green plateau of waterfalls and hiking trails between Fulani villages. Almost no mass tourism reaches it.
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau's Bijagós Archipelago is the draw: 88 islands with saltwater hippos, nesting turtles, and matriarchal island cultures, protected as a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Kenya
Kenya is the safari benchmark. Maasai Mara, Amboseli with Kilimanjaro views, and Samburu in the north. And closes with Indian Ocean beaches at Diani and Lamu.
Lesotho
Lesotho is the only country on earth entirely above 1,000 m. Pony treks between mountain villages, the Sani Pass switchbacks from South Africa, and Afriski, one of Africa's two ski resorts.