Top Attractions in Eritrea

Eritrea Essentials

Eritrea preserves a unique intersection of 20th-century Italian Modernist architecture and ancient Red Sea history. The capital, Asmara, is home to exceptionally preserved Art Deco and Futurist structures like the Fiat Tagliero and Cinema Impero. Along the coast, the port of Massawa reflects Ottoman and Italian influences, serving as the gateway to the 2nd-century ruins of Adulis and the Aksumite remains at Matara.

sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0

Fiat Tagliero

The Fiat Tagliero Building is a Futurist-style service station in Asmara, Eritrea.

Cinema Impero

An Art Deco cinema built in 1937 during the Italian colonial period. The facade is characterized by 45 circular porthole windows and original neon signage, while the interior remains largely unchanged from its 1930s design.

Reinhard Dietrich / CC0

St Mariam

Enda Mariam Cathedral is an Eritrean Orthodox church in Asmara, Eritrea. The cathedral is located on Arbate Asmara Street.

David Stanley / CC BY 2.0

Adulis

Adulis was an ancient city along the Red Sea in the Gulf of Zula, about 40 kilometers south of Massawa.

Former Imperial Palace

A 19th-century residence in Massawa originally built by the Turks and later used by Emperor Haile Selassie. The building features distinctive Ottoman architectural elements, though it remains in a state of ruin following the War of Independence.

Medeber Market

An open-air industrial market in Asmara where artisans recycle scrap metal into tools, stoves, and household goods. It is a center for local craftsmanship and traditional metalworking techniques.

Shida Monument

A large-scale metal sculpture of a pair of 'shida' sandals. The monument commemorates the simple plastic footwear worn by the Eritrean People's Liberation Front fighters during the 30-year struggle for independence.

A. Davey / CC BY 2.0

Matara, Eritrea

Metera or መጠራ

Old Market

Located in the historic center of Massawa, this market area features coral-block buildings and narrow alleys dating back to the Ottoman era, specializing in spices, textiles, and local produce.

Boat to Green Island

Small motorboats depart from Massawa's harbor for the short crossing to Sheikh Said Island, also known as Green Island. The site features mangrove forests, white sand beaches, and coral reefs.

Enda Tokharir (old market)

A traditional market in Keren known for its trade in wood, livestock, and handcrafted goods, serving as a primary commercial hub for the surrounding plateau region.