Asmara

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The Eritrean capital of Asmara is a vibrant mix of Italian and African architecture and culture. It is by far the biggest and most important city of Eritrea and not just the administration center of the nation but also the cultural center and the place where every tourist will arrive to the nation.

Introduction

Electric power is not available throughout the day, although it depends a lot in which part of the city you are and also in which season. In the central part there is power mainly between afternoon and the early morning. So you should charge your phone and camera when you are able to. Power cuts are common, specially in the rainy season so you might be without power for some days in some cases.

The internet connection is very slow. Don't expect to be able to do more than receiving and sending emails. But there are many internet cafes where you can buy a ticket to use the wifi (~20 Nakfa per hour).

History

Founded in the twelfth century by a union of villages trying to protect themselves from bandits, Asmara has grown to become a bustling city of over half a million people. Over its history and the city has endured the rule of various empires and countries, including the Italian Empire from the late 19th century and the British from after World War II and Ethiopia from 1950. After a long and bloody war with Ethiopia, Asmara was finally liberated in 1991 and became the capital of a country which had not had self-rule for two centuries.

Today, it is difficult to walk down a street in downtown Asmara and not see an old Italian building. In the early 1930s, Mussolini and the Italian dictator, injected huge amounts of funds into the city with the goal of making it the centre of a second Roman Empire that spanned Africa. Architects were only limited by their imagination and practically the entire downtown was rebuilt. Not only were cathedrals built in ancient-Romanesque style, but also numerous offices influenced by the architectural movements of cubism and futurism.

Climate & Weather

The dry season from December to April is distinguished by the terrain of red-brown, rusty, beige or black rubble surrounding the city, resembling photos from Mars. The vegetation consists largely of shrubbery, eucalyptus, aloes, cacti and the odd explosively colorful specs of bougainville, jacaranda or other ornamental plants.

The rainy season between May and September (hopefully) brings torrents of rain and needed nourishment to the land, which transforms itself from lunar/marsian-esque to verdant and grassy in the post-rain months of August to October.

Regardless of when you go, temperatures in Asmara rarely rise above a comfortable dry 30° C in the sun. The capital is known for its lovely climate. There is very little humidity in the air so the biggest variations in temperatures occur between night and day, or whether one is standing in the sun or in the shade, not between seasons. Between December and February, it can get very cold at night and in the morning, it can even drop a few degrees below 0° C. Due to lack of heating and insulation in Asmara, it is important to bring proper clothes. Rains only last a few hours at a time and it all dries up quickly enough, although the occasional flash flood is not uncommon during the rainy season.

Travel to Asmara

Asmara International Airport (IATA Flight Code: ASM). As of 2022 and the airport served Istanbul 4 times weekly by Turkish Airways; Cairo daily by Egyptair; Dubai daily by Flydubai; Sharjah weekly by Air Arabia. Eritrean Airlines and Nasair might also be operating flights. The airport departure tax of US$20 or €15 is normally included in the ticket price. Ethiopian resumed Flights from Addis Ababa in summer 2022, after a 20 year's hiatus.

If you are entering the nation without a visa, as a holder of an Eritrean ID card in combination with a foreign passport, you are required to register with the Immigration and Nationality office in Asmara within seven business days of entry into the nation.

Both Eritrea and Ethiopia maintain large military presences along the border and all border crossings into Ethiopia from Eritrea remain closed.

Transportation in Asmara

Asmara Main Street - Asmara main street, Harnet Avenue Asmara, impianto di distribuzione carburanti tamoil, già agip 03 - A bus stop in Asmara Asmara, beirut street - A street in Asmara

Asmara has 10 downtown bus-lines on distinctive Red Mercedes Benz buses, with a sign in the front saying where they're headed (oftentimes in Latin script). The bus stops are easily identifiable (there are signs and an obvious shelter with a bench), but the buses stop running quite early in the evening (about 7PM). They run on 15-30 minutes intervals during the day (every day), but there is no fixed or published schedule. The roads get pretty jammed at rush hours (in the morning, midday and around 4PM in the evening). The fare is about 2 Nakfa and the entrance is in the back where one buys the ticket. It is not necessary to have exact change, but one should try to pay in lower denominations.

Line number 1 goes between the airport, 3 kilometers south of the city and the former zoo in Biet Ghiorghis, 2 kilometers (1 mi) east of the city on the eastern escarpment (the windy road to the Red Sea begins after Biet Ghirogis). Number 1 also passes through the main streets in downtown Asmara (Independence and Martyrs Avenues). All bus lines that begin with 2 (e.g. 21, 22, etc.), run between the marketplace downtown and the surrounding villages, but there are only a few a day. Therefore, plan to leave early in order to be able to return the same day. Only the local residents know the schedule (through word of mouth). If you're lucky one of them speaks English and will be very helpful. Some villages like Embaderho and Tselot are well worth visiting for their scenery and traditional lifestyle.

There also white shuttle van-lines running on the main streets of the city, which run on fixed routes but without fixed stops or signs. They stop at the bus stops, but you still have to hail them when you see them, just like a cab. Before boarding, ask them where they're headed, unless the ticket-boy (called fottorino) doesn't beat you to it by announcing it loudly. Then, let them know when you want to get off ("Stop!" is a universally understood command). Costs 2 Nakfa.

Finally there are the yellow taxis, most of which also run on fixed routes on the main streets like the white minivans. They have a similar system to the minivans and the fare is 5 Nakfa. You'll most likely be sharing the ride with 3 other people. Since some cabs do not use fixed routes, some will take you personally to where you want to go. These taxis are called contract taxis and you will have to negotiate the price with the driver. The price depends on how far you're travelling, but most contract drivers charge, at a minimum, 70 Nakfa. These cabs wait outside the airport when a plane is coming in and the city's main hotels (Asmara Palace Hotel, Nyala, Ambassador etc.) and the road to the right of the main cathedral downtown and other obvious spots. They can also be hailed on any street, but many cabs are on a fixed route with passengers already in them.

Renting a car is insanely expensive and fuel prices are higher than in Europe. Renting a cab to drive you around town is also quite expensive, but affordable. Be prepared to pay around 3000 - 6000 Nakfa for a weekend with a driver. It is perhaps better to take the bus or contact one of the national tour agencies (ask at the information desk at the airport upon arrival).

What to See

Roma theater Eritrea , Asmara - Italian Art Deco-style "Roma Theater" Asmara, teatro d'opera, 03 - Opera Theater (Teatro d'opera)

Asmara's main attraction is its World Heritage listed colonial Italian architecture. The palm-lined main street "Harnet Avenue" is colloquially referred to as "Kombishtato" (a creole of the neighbourhood's original name: Campo di Citta). It is full of cafés, bars, shops and old cinemas and it makes for a nice mile long stroll between the eastern end of this avenue where the "half" stadium is (you'll know when you see half a bleacher) and the Western end where the Government palace is. Asmara's colourful and bustling marketplace lies north of the catholic cathedral. It's a great place to learn how to negotiate and buy some souvenirs.

From the café on the top floor of the Nyala Hotel, one has a great view of the city while enjoying a nice well-chilled soft drinks. The organic juice is exceptionally good in Asmara, aptly called "Asmara Beer". Behind the hotel in the quieter Maryam Gmbi Street is the National Museum, it's the best museum of whole Eritrea which doesn't mean too much. But if you do not expect to much it is worth visiting the collection spanning the six millennia of the land's civilization (museum is closed on wednesdays and open between 9 and 11 AM and 3 and 5 PM).

On Massawa Road near the outskirts of the city there is a great scenery of the eastern escarpment. There was a Zoo but it closed several years ago. Further down the road, one reaches Cafe Durfo, a café and café perched on a cliff overlooking the dramatic precipice of the Asmara - Massawa highway. You will need a vehicle or taxi to get beyond the last stop of the No. 1 bus, Biet Ghiorghis, to Cafe Durfo.

There are more places to see the dramatic highland landscape on the eastern escarpment. Additionally, one can see a traditional Eritrean highland village in the village of Tselot (which means 'prayer' and is also famous for being the President's village). Tselot lies about 7 kilometers south east of the town center and is served by the red city bus line No. 28 departing from the sqare in front of the main entrance of the orthodox cathedral Enda Maryam. You should leave as early as feasible because there are only a couple of buses per day so you have to make sure you have a way to get back. The rural highland lifestyle in Tselot resembles Biblical times: stone houses (Hidmo), small plots, ancient temples (both Christian and Muslim), people farming and herding with traditional means using little technology, transporting their goods (as well as themselves) on mule and camel back.

Within walking distance of the village, is the Martyrs National Park, inaugurated in 2000. It is a mountainous forest and wildlife reserve at the ridge of the highland plateau. The landscape consists of an eerily quiet semi-arid plain in a valley, an extension of the highland plateau, interrupted by the dramatic chasm of the eastern ridge which the village center straddles. The views and scenery are stunning. The highest viewpoint features chasms, gorges and mountaintops bathed by a sea of clouds, which gives one the impression of standing "above the clouds".

Muslim Travel Tips

If you are in Asmara for a short stay and the best thing to do after you're done sightseeing in this city is to head for the outskirts where the scenery is stunning at the very least.

Unless you come from a high altitude area yourself, you may need a couple of days of strolling in Asmara to get your body used to the thin dry air at 2,300 meters.

Bring lots of sunscreen lotion but also a sweater as it can get really chilly not only at night but even when standing in the shade (temperatures can vary greatly on different sides of the same street depending on the position of the sun). The sun shines very bright throughout the day in Africa, especially so in Asmara where clouds are rare, so unless you enjoy squinting, bring UV blocking shades.

If you like hiking, rock climbing and mountainbiking the above mentioned areas outside of town are excellent places to do so, but bring your own gear (including bike) as there are no rental bikes and a very limited supply of safety equipment (shoes, ropes, etc.) in Asmara, however tents and mosquito nets are readily available at an affordable price in the marketplace downtown. Also consult the local residents and bring a guide, because it is good to have someone familiar with the place who speaks the local language in case of an accident or any other eventuality (like what is legal and not legal). For example, taking pictures around any government installation or authority (police, airport, ministries etc.) is strictly forbidden and your guide can help you get out of such sticky situations.

Finally, take time to savor some good food in Asmara. Drinking fresh fruit juices or eating ice cream might be unsafe, but it seems like the situation improved a lot, a good spot for fresh juice is Wintana Fast Food, at Meda Eritrea square. Regarding drinking water you should definitely stick to bottled drinks.

If you need fast internet go to to Asmara Palace- 100 Nakfa per hour. There is reported to find an other good internet café few hundred meters west of Nakfa house / Fiat Tagliero. If you start to miss good old American Candies and Soda, Wikianos Super-market has all the stuff you need. If you want to take them Photo's - Photo Zula If you want to get a nice Eritrean pendant Gold silver etc. around the main mosque there is a bunch of Jewellery shops. If you need a hair cut - there is two barbershops that are bomb - one in Mai-Temenai beside Ghirmai Hotel on Menegedi Keren. The other one is in Shuk by the bus stop. The ones in Mai-Temenai were dope!

Clubs: Expo - Benifer and Berhe Aiba were the two main spots . If you want like bahlawi experience check out Hidmona- the food there is bomb too.  

What to buy in Asmara

Gold and silver jewellery is affordable in Asmara and is definitely a bargain by world standards. So are frankincense and myrrh (if you have any use for them).

Otherwise most of the souvenirs bought by Muslims are the local home-spun and gold-thread embroidered cotton garments, traditional goat-skin rugs, olivewood carvings, clay coffee-pots and other traditional knick-knacks - all of which are found at the marketplace.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Asmara

Beyaynetu Enjera - Enjera is eaten in Asmara with many side dishes

• Albergo Italia for authentic Italian food
• Casa Degli Italiani , - outdoor setting

• Alba Bistro Opp. Post Office
• Castello Behind the Nyala Hotel
• Mask Restaurant , - Hamburgers using quality organic beef or lamb.

• The Spaghetti and Pizzas House Harnet Avenue - a great choice of Pizzas and Pastas dishes as well as its signature Chilli red snapper.

• Rooftop Garden , for Asian food.

For traditional food (injera), you have many options, for example Hamassien Restaurant on Seraye Street. If you are looking for cheaper options than restaurants you should try fast food restaurants or snack bars. They have not just Burgers but also Eritrean food like fuul, silsi, salata, fata and others. It consists in bread rolls with a tasty Sauces. Just try different ones and pick your favorite.

If you miss Chinese food and Indian food. Beside Sunshine hotel in Tiravolo there is a government building to the left. Its an embassy or Eritrean government building. Hop in the elevator go to the 5th floor. Its called Grassroots cafe. Also Cafe Bereket if you want Kitcha fitfit and shai. If you want Seafood there is Paradiso restaurant in Mai-temenai (sadly seafood sucks in Asmara). You got to go to Cherhi in Abashawel and just enjoy the 360 scenery of Asmara and get your self a latte or espresso.

If you want ice cream and don't want to be sick, go to the Gelateria da Fortuna, lead by an Italian. Ice cream is definitely not affordable here but tastes as good as in Italy. It is a hundred meters south east of Mai Jah Jah. If you eat ice cream anywhere else in Asmara you will get the runs.

If you want good pastries and coffee and tea just stroll around the center and pick any of the cafés and there are a lot of them in Harnet Avenue and Sematat Avenue. Near Edaga Ekli there is a place called Pharmacy Hamassien.

Eritrea is not a big country, even though it used to have afruit cocktail-making tradition during the colonial period. On the other hand Eritrea, is a big Cola-drinking country and the Eritrean Cola is definitely a good one. There is only one brewery in the nation (Asmara Beer) producing only one type of organic juice (Pilsener), that's why they don't even need to put a label on the bottle. Asmara Fruit Juices is great, quenches your thirsty throat and has a good taste. It has around 5% alcohol per volume and a nice hop flavour in the well known bottle. Enjoy!

Nightlife in Asmara is often considered quieter than most other country capitals, but there are a good range of local bars. Prostitution is legal and rife

• Cafe Alfa Romeo close to Alfa Romeo
• Peacock Cafe close to Alfa Romeo
• Mocambo Downtown - Look for the basement
• Warsai , - Out of the way and a little seedy.

• The Green Pub at Asmara Palace Hotel - Discos on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights.

• Benifer Expo Grounds
• Shamrock , - Popular with UN staff.

• Zara Cafe near the Blue Bird restaurant - Popular haunt with expats.

Stay Safe

Asmara is an extremely safe city, safe enough for a stroll in the middle of the night. Most people are genuinely friendly, without wanting anything in exchange, beggary and "hustling" is not as common as in most other third world countries and neither is tourism.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Asmara

Asmara - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Asmara, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Asmara. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Asmara and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Asmara. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Asmara. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Asmara: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Asmara.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Asmara: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Asmara, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Asmara.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Asmara, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Asmara, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Asmara and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Asmara, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Asmara, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Asmara without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Asmara is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Asmara.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Asmara is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Asmara, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Asmara Media: info@ehalal.io

Ramadan in Asmara

Ramadan 2025 in Asmara

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

• Albergo Italia - Nakfa Avenue, 13 15.338251,38.935202 Next to the central post office ☎ +291 1 120740 - Boutique hotel situated in an turn-of-the-century building.

• Asmara Palace Hotel 15.31419,38.91231 ☎ +291 1 153700 - Formally the Intercontinental Hotel, out by the airport. The odd spaceship-looking hotel probably has the comfiest beds. But quite far from the downtown and with a heafty price.

• Freedom Pension Back side of the Post Office
• Nyala Hotel, (the city's highest building on Martyrs Avenue).
• Embasoira Hotel, behind Independence Avenue (on the east side).
• Hamassien Hotel, right next door to the Embasoira. The Swiss-cottage-looking building.
• Sunshine Hotel, near the Roof Garden restaurant.
• Selam Hotel, a few blocks away from the Presidential Palace and the National Museum and has a nice garden.
• The Buon Respiro is a very cosy Bed and Breakfast in an ornate Italian villa with a nice patio in the middle of the city just a few blocks from Cinema Odeon.
• The Crystal Hotel behind Cinema Roma, similar to the Sunshine Hotel
• Asmara Central Hotel, good value, directly beside Harnet Avenue in Mata Street

Cope in Asmara

Asmara, ufficio postale, interno 02 - Asmara post Office

Embassies & Consulates in Asmara

• Greece | P.O. Box 4173 - ☎ +291 1 12-19-76 +291 1 12-20-17

United States 179 Ala Street - ☎ +291 1 12-00-04 +291 1 12-75-84 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 8AM Monday - 6PM, Friday 8AM Monday - noon

Where to travel next from Asmara

To leave Asmara to go anywhere else in the nation you need a traveler's permit which can be obtained from the Ministry of Immigration and Nationality opposite the Gothic Church compound on Harnet Av. downtown.

If you intend to leave by Air, see the "Getting In" section. In 2018 there are no domestic flight routes as of date.

There are roads heading in 4 directions from Asmara. There might always be military-police roadblocks (called "blocco" locally) where you will be checked for your ID and traveller's permit. Always carry these or certified copies of these with you. There are fixed bloccos and there are also mobile and random checkpoints on the roads both inside and outside the limits of nearly all towns and communities in Eritrea. So you might be asked more than once for your papers. Around Asmara there were no fixed bloccos in 2017.

Formerly the blocco for the road towards the coast was placed past the village of Durfo and was called "blocco Batsi" (Batsi is another name for Massawa). The blocco for the road heading west towards the nation's second largest town Keren and the Western lowlands (bordering Sudan) was called "blocco Keren" and the blocco for the two roads heading south was called "blocco Godaeif" (Asmara's southernmost suburb) which later divides at a fork with one road towards the southwestern highlands and the Mereb river border crossing (now closed) to Ethiopia and the other road towards the southeastern highlands and the "Zalambessa" border crossing to Ethiopia (closed).

Buses are the main means of transport in Eritrea other than camelback or your own car. Buses run to all main towns and villages from Asmara, some several times a day, others only once a day or a couple of times a week, requiring you to sleepover for one or more nights there or even on the way, before returning. Buses don't run after dusk because of road safety (Eritrea is a very mountainous country). Fog and mist can severely delay traffic as well.

Renting a vehicle or chartering a taxi is feasible in Eritrea, but both cost about the same and are extremely expensive, as is the price of fuel. There is one narrow-gauge train line, from Asmara to Massawa, but it is driven by a slow steam-engine which only runs for chartered tours.

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