Travel House International - Eritrea

Tourist Attractions and Places of Interest in Eritrea.

A number of places are chosen as destination in the following itineraries. These places are carefully selected on the basis of their cultural, historical and archaeological values. Some of the places incorporated on these tours are briefly described below, so that our visitors could get a bird’s eye view on what is on the offer.

ASMARA With a perfect climate, remarkable architecture and spotless, safe streets, Asmara ranks among the most pleasant capitals on African continent. Italian colonizers between 1890 and 1940 built the capital. It is situated on the highland and is 2300 meters above sea level. Amongst other things, the Coptic Church of Saint Mary, the Catholic Cathedral, the Grand Mosque, the war and ethnographic museum, the tanks and armors graveyard, the Medeber and handicraftsmen are some places to visit.

MASSAWA Massawa is one of the two ports in Eritrea, situated along the coastal areas of the Red Sea. The beach, which is clear, clean and unpolluted, has over the years attracted more tourists. Any one who can witness why Massawa had gained the title of “ the pearl of the Red Sea” based from the remnants of the ruined and existing buildings.

KEREN It is 1400 meters above sea level and is situated 91 km west from the capital. Its moderate climate has made it the land of fruits. The fruit plantation is visible on the way at Elaberet. Mariam D’Arit inside a bao bab tree, Mariam Tinkulihas on a long stand, the British and Italian cemeteries are some of the places to be visited. The market and traditional products made up of palm tree and leaves show Eritrean Society industrious
capacity. The silver products are common in the market and are affordable.

DANKALIA Dankalia is the name of the inhospitable volcanic and rock desert that stretches from the Red Sea far into Ethiopia and, in Eritrea, separates Massawa from Assab. As the crow flies the distance from Massawa to Assab through this territory is about 500 km: the boarder with Ethiopia is seldom more than 60 Km inland from the Red Sea. Dankalia is a home to the infamous tribal group, the Afars ( of whom the Danakil are just one sub-group), whose reputation for ferocity is legendary. While there are a number of accounts from the expeditions of the Portuguese Jerome Lobo ( 1624), Fr. Giuseppe Sapeto (1851), Munzinger (1867 and 1875), Pastori (1906), Nesbitt(1928), Franchetti(1928), and Thesiger (1930), many others did not live to tell the tale.

FILFIL Filfil is 1500 meters above sea level and 75 km away from the capital. It is covered by indigenous forest and is green throughout the year. The scenic view with fresh air, peaceful area with wonderful landscape and coffee plantation will add up to your recreational satisfaction.

SENAFE The name was supposed to be derived from Arabic language “SENA & FEE” meaning here is Senna. Legend goes an Arab traveler who lost his way to SANAA climbs a mountain near the town of Senafe (Mount Metera) and points to the lower area to express that it has found Sanaa. The surrounding regions are well known for their archaeological sites some of these are:

- KOHAITO: which is 2600 above sea level and 121 km south of Asmara. As legends say, it was built during the time of Queen Sheba; approximately 750 B.C. the historical relics include an engraved stele 4-5 meters high, and buildings of Axumite period.

- KESKESE : legendary says this was one of the biggest towns during the Axumite Kingdom. It is situated 128 km from the capital.

- BELEW KELEW : The ruined houses in this historical place is legendarily believed to be a residential for the kings. The underground gate there also adds up to the legendary belief that, there is a tunnel that runs up to Axum through which the kings were moving.

BARENTU 980 meters above sea level is the heartland of the Kunama people one of the most fascinating of Eritrean Nationalities. Barentu is also the capital of Gash Barka Region. Barentu serves three main purposes, it is a small market for the local Kunama, it is the sight of military camp ( on the top of the hill it sits on), and it provides a stopover for busses on their way to and from the west; many local travelers stay overnight here.

DEKEMHARE A small town built by the Italians was planned to be the industrial capital of Eritrea. It was a favorite settlement of the Italians and by all account was a beautiful town. The Red Sea biscuit factory is one of the traces of the high level of Agro- Industrial development found on this place.

MENDEFERA –[ ADI-URGI] The capital of the southern region, is a bustling market town. Reflecting the old rivalry, the town is dominated by two churches , the orthodox Saint George and the Catholic School, situated on hills opposite to one another. Mendefera’s name derives from the high hill around which the town grew up, meaning ‘ no one dared’ it is a reference to the fierce resistance put up by the local people against Italian Colonialism. It is a convenient stop-off point on your way to the south or west.

AFABET It is best known for the battle which took place in and around the town, and which was the decisive confrontation of the entire thirty-year war. Around the town, you can still see the square shaped trenches of Ethiopian soldiers, at 11 Km away on the road to Nakfa, you can see the valley of Adishrum, the lead tank of the Ethiopians fleeing south after the EPLF broke out of Nakfa in 1988 was knocked out, preventing those behind it from proceeding to Afabet, the Ethiopians, fearing the capture of huge quantity of hardware, called an air strike on their own forces tapped in the valley. Despite this some 70 vehicles were taken intact.

NAKFA Lying some 221 km from Asmara, at 1780 m above sea level, Nakfa became the EPLF’s center of resistance. The town lies in a shallow dish at the edge of a mountain ridge that drops several thousand feet to the plain below, with a little exploration, the town’s extraordinary history soon shows itself. Nakfa is a fascinating place, even for those who are not normally military minded. An incredible-and living – memorial to human endurance and courage. Your interest in the town will really please the locals who are among the friendliest and most hospitable people in Eritrea.


Tourist Attractions and Places of Interest in Eritrea. A number of places are chosen as destination in the following itineraries. These places are carefully selected on the basis of their cultural, historical and archaeological values. Some of the places incorporated on these tours are briefly described below, so that our visitors could get a bird’s eye view on what is on the offer. ASMARA With a perfect climate, remarkable architecture and spotless, safe streets, Asmara ranks among the most pleasant capitals on African continent. Italian colonizers between 1890 and 1940 built the capital. It is situated on the highland and is 2300 meters above sea level. Amongst other things, the Coptic Church of Saint Mary, the Catholic Cathedral, the Grand Mosque, the war and ethnographic museum, the tanks and armors graveyard, the Medeber and handicraftsmen are some places to visit. MASSAWA Massawa is one of the two ports in Eritrea, situated along the coastal areas of the Red Sea. The beach, which is clear, clean and unpolluted, has over the years attracted more tourists. Any one who can witness why Massawa had gained the title of “ the pearl of the Red Sea” based from the remnants of the ruined and existing buildings. KEREN It is 1400 meters above sea level and is situated 91 km west from the capital. Its moderate climate has made it the land of fruits. The fruit plantation is visible on the way at Elaberet. Mariam D’Arit inside a bao bab tree, Mariam Tinkulihas on a long stand, the British and Italian cemeteries are some of the places to be visited. The market and traditional products made up of palm tree and leaves show Eritrean Society industrious capacity. The silver products are common in the market and are affordable. DANKALIA Dankalia is the name of the inhospitable volcanic and rock desert that stretches from the Red Sea far into Ethiopia and, in Eritrea, separates Massawa from Assab. As the crow flies the distance from Massawa to Assab through this territory is about 500 km: the boarder with Ethiopia is seldom more than 60 Km inland from the Red Sea. Dankalia is a home to the infamous tribal group, the Afars ( of whom the Danakil are just one sub-group), whose reputation for ferocity is legendary. While there are a number of accounts from the expeditions of the Portuguese Jerome Lobo ( 1624), Fr. Giuseppe Sapeto (1851), Munzinger (1867 and 1875), Pastori (1906), Nesbitt(1928), Franchetti(1928), and Thesiger (1930), many others did not live to tell the tale. FILFIL Filfil is 1500 meters above sea level and 75 km away from the capital. It is covered by indigenous forest and is green throughout the year. The scenic view with fresh air, peaceful area with wonderful landscape and coffee plantation will add up to your recreational satisfaction. SENAFE The name was supposed to be derived from Arabic language “SENA & FEE” meaning here is Senna. Legend goes an Arab traveler who lost his way to SANAA climbs a mountain near the town of Senafe (Mount Metera) and points to the lower area to express that it has found Sanaa. The surrounding regions are well known for their archaeological sites some of these are: - KOHAITO: which is 2600 above sea level and 121 km south of Asmara. As legends say, it was built during the time of Queen Sheba; approximately 750 B.C. the historical relics include an engraved stele 4-5 meters high, and buildings of Axumite period. - KESKESE : legendary says this was one of the biggest towns during the Axumite Kingdom. It is situated 128 km from the capital. - BELEW KELEW : The ruined houses in this historical place is legendarily believed to be a residential for the kings. The underground gate there also adds up to the legendary belief that, there is a tunnel that runs up to Axum through which the kings were moving. BARENTU 980 meters above sea level is the heartland of the Kunama people one of the most fascinating of Eritrean Nationalities. Barentu is also the capital of Gash Barka Region. Barentu serves three main purposes, it is a small market for the local Kunama, it is the sight of military camp ( on the top of the hill it sits on), and it provides a stopover for busses on their way to and from the west; many local travelers stay overnight here. DEKEMHARE A small town built by the Italians was planned to be the industrial capital of Eritrea. It was a favorite settlement of the Italians and by all account was a beautiful town. The Red Sea biscuit factory is one of the traces of the high level of Agro- Industrial development found on this place. MENDEFERA –[ ADI-URGI] The capital of the southern region, is a bustling market town. Reflecting the old rivalry, the town is dominated by two churches , the orthodox Saint George and the Catholic School, situated on hills opposite to one another. Mendefera’s name derives from the high hill around which the town grew up, meaning ‘ no one dared’ it is a reference to the fierce resistance put up by the local people against Italian Colonialism. It is a convenient stop-off point on your way to the south or west. AFABET It is best known for the battle which took place in and around the town, and which was the decisive confrontation of the entire thirty-year war. Around the town, you can still see the square shaped trenches of Ethiopian soldiers, at 11 Km away on the road to Nakfa, you can see the valley of Adishrum, the lead tank of the Ethiopians fleeing south after the EPLF broke out of Nakfa in 1988 was knocked out, preventing those behind it from proceeding to Afabet, the Ethiopians, fearing the capture of huge quantity of hardware, called an air strike on their own forces tapped in the valley. Despite this some 70 vehicles were taken intact. NAKFA Lying some 221 km from Asmara, at 1780 m above sea level, Nakfa became the EPLF’s center of resistance. The town lies in a shallow dish at the edge of a mountain ridge that drops several thousand feet to the plain below, with a little exploration, the town’s extraordinary history soon shows itself. Nakfa is a fascinating place, even for those who are not normally military minded. An incredible-and living – memorial to human endurance and courage. Your interest in the town will really please the locals who are among the friendliest and most hospitable people in Eritrea.
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