Eritrea is home to a number of ancient ruins and interesting architecture, including the ancient port city of Adulis, which was once an important center for trade and commerce in the region. The city’s ruins include the remains of a palace, a …
Read more
backpacking Africa
Eritrea
Explore Equatorial Guinea
Explore eSwatini
Backpacking Eritrea in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in Eritrea with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Visit Eritrea
Venture into the undiscovered beauty of Eritrea, where history, diverse landscapes, and a unique cultural tapestry await intrepid backpackers. Pros? Immerse yourself in well-preserved ancient architecture, from Asmara's Art Deco gems to the ancient city of Aksum. Eritrea offers a genuine and off-the-beaten-path experience. However, travel restrictions and limited infrastructure may pose challenges. For the backpacker seeking authenticity and a rare journey, Eritrea stands out, offering a glimpse into a lesser-explored corner of Africa where each step resonates with the echoes of a rich past and promises a one-of-a-kind adventure.
Why to go?Why backpacking in Eritrea
Architecture
Scenery
Eritrea, located in the Horn of Africa, offers diverse and stunning landscapes to explore. The country is known for its beautiful and pristine coastline along the Red Sea, with crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches. The Dahlak Archipelago, …
Read more
Read more
💡 HighlightsTop-5 things to do in Eritrea
- Asmara: Explore the charming capital city of Eritrea, known for its well-preserved Italian colonial architecture. Wander through the picturesque streets, visit the bustling markets, and enjoy the vibrant cafe culture.
- Dankalia: Venture into the otherworldly landscapes of Dankalia, home to the Danakil Depression. Marvel at the colorful sulfur lakes, experience the extreme heat, and witness the captivating salt flats and volcanic formations.
- Massawa: Discover the historic port city of Massawa, renowned for its rich cultural heritage. Explore the ancient architecture, visit the Turkish Baths, and indulge in delicious seafood while enjoying breathtaking views of the Red Sea.
- Debre Bizen: Embark on a pilgrimage to Debre Bizen, one of Eritrea’s most sacred sites. Climb the steps to the monastery perched on a cliff, immerse yourself in the spiritual atmosphere, and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
- Nakfa: Visit Nakfa, a town with significant historical importance during the Eritrean War of Independence. Explore the Nakfa Museum, which showcases artifacts and exhibits depicting the struggle for independence, and learn about the country’s tumultuous past.
But Eritrea offers more...
×
Eritrea
🌤️ When to go?Best time to go backpacking Eritrea
The best time to visit Eritrea for backpacking is during the dry season, which runs from October to April. This period offers pleasant temperatures and minimal rainfall, allowing for comfortable outdoor activities and exploration. However, it's important to note that Eritrea can be quite hot, especially in the lowland areas, so it's advisable to pack lightweight and breathable clothing, sunscreen, and stay hydrated.
Risk level: medium (67%)Safety advice for Eritrea
- In September 2022, the Eritrean Government called for a mobilisation of its armed forces in response to the conflict in northern Ethiopia. While the call has ended, additional security measures may be introduced at short notice. You should remain vigilant when in Eritrea.
- In 2020, there were reports of explosions in Asmara as a result of rockets launched from the ongoing military conflict in Tigray, Ethiopia. Further attacks are possible.
- There's a risk of kidnapping in Eritrea. If you choose to travel to high-risk regions, get professional security advice.
- Landmines are found within 25km of Eritrea’s border with Ethiopia. Take care when walking or hiking in rural areas due to unmarked minefields.
- Military tensions exist between Eritrea and Djibouti. Robbery and violence are common within 25km of the border.
- Robbery and violence are common along the coast north of Massawa and on some rural roads. Take care when travelling in these areas. Street crime is rare but occurs. Don't walk alone late at night.
source: smartraveller.gov.au
source: www.gov.uk
EritreaMy tips to get you on the way!Does Eritrea sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.
Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Eritrea. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Eritrea may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Eritrea. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Eritrea may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Eritrea, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Eritrea, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
.jpg)
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Moneybelt
[Amazon]
“Best way to carry your important documents”
Quick dry pant
[Amazon]
“Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling”
Light rain jacket
[Amazon]
“Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry”
Thermo underwear
[Amazon]
“Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets”
Quick dry towel
[Amazon]
“Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling”
Power bank
[Amazon]
“Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more”
Travel adapter
[Amazon]
“Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs”
Number lock
[Amazon]
“No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories”
Packing cubes
[Amazon]
“Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest”
Travel pillow
[Amazon]
“Light and great for flights and long bus journeys”
last page update: 28 September 2024