How many to visit: Plan on
four to six landmarks in a one-week to ten-day trip. Roads are slow, public transport is sparse and permits tie you to named destinations, so a longer list means long days in vehicles rather than time on site. Two or three of the six can be in Asmara itself, which costs no transport time.
Prioritizing by style: If you travel cheaply and independently, put the weight on
urban architecture and coastal towns, which are reachable by bus and on foot. If you have a few extra days and a budget for a driver, add the
archaeological sites and monasteries of the southern highlands, which have no regular public transport at the final stretch. Boat-based sites around the Dahlak islands suit travelers who want remoteness and can pay for it. Skip anything you cannot get a permit …
read more 👉 How many to visit: Plan on four to six landmarks in a one-week to ten-day trip. Roads are slow, public transport is sparse and permits tie you to named destinations, so a longer list means long days in vehicles rather than time on site. Two or three of the six can be in Asmara itself, which costs no transport time.
Prioritizing by style: If you travel cheaply and independently, put the weight on urban architecture and coastal towns, which are reachable by bus and on foot. If you have a few extra days and a budget for a driver, add the archaeological sites and monasteries of the southern highlands, which have no regular public transport at the final stretch. Boat-based sites around the Dahlak islands suit travelers who want remoteness and can pay for it. Skip anything you cannot get a permit for rather than gambling on checkpoints.
What it costs: Entry fees are low, usually the equivalent of US$2 to 10 per site or museum. Guides at archaeological sites typically cost US$15 to 40 for a visit, and a monastery guide is often a priest or local resident who expects a donation. Intercity buses cost the equivalent of US$1 to 5 per leg. A hired car with driver and fuel generally runs US$100 to 180 a day, which is the real cost driver. Boat trips to the islands run roughly US$150 to 300 a day for the vessel. A budget traveler using buses and cheap guesthouses spends about US$40 to 70 a day. With a private vehicle, plan on US$150 to 250 a day. Official exchange is 15 Nakfa to US$1, and cards are not accepted, so carry enough cash in US dollars or euros for the whole trip.
Safety and conduct: Eritrea is generally calm for visitors, but photography rules are strict. Do not photograph soldiers, checkpoints, government buildings, ports or military vehicles. Border areas with Ethiopia and Djibouti are closed to foreigners. Checkpoints are routine, so carry your passport and permit at all times.
At churches, monasteries and mosques, dress modestly, cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes where asked. Some monasteries do not admit women at all, so check in advance. Ask before photographing people, and expect a request not to if it is a prayer moment. Carry water and sun protection for the coast, and warm layers for the highlands at night. Fuel is rationed and breakdowns happen, so leave early and do not plan to be on the road after dark.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.