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Eritrea🇪🇷 | attractionsMassawa Old TownCoral houses, carved balconies, dhow quay, Fenkil memorial | things to do and best time to go

Explore St. Joseph’s Catholic CathedralExplore Imperial Palace of Massawa

Backpacking in Massawa Old Town
🏆 Top pickattraction ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Coral-stone houses with carved wooden balconies, Ottoman and Egyptian mosques and a Red Sea port still in working order draw people to Massawa Old Town. The overlooked part is the war damage. Much of the island was shelled and bombed in 1990, so you see ruins and restored facades side by side. It sits on Massawa Island, off the coast in the east of Eritrea. Coral and lime plaster dissolve in salt air, so balconies can be unsound; look from the street and don’t lean on railings. Heat and humidity are heavy, and the lanes empty by midday, so walk early and again late in the afternoon. Ports and government buildings are sensitive, so ask before pointing a camera at them. Nearby Taulud, linked by a causeway, has wider avenues and the palaces. The island is older, tighter and more eroded.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 attraction in EritreaWhy visitors keep coming back

Massawa Old Town is where you read Eritrea’s layered past in a single afternoon of walking. Ottoman, Egyptian and Italian builders all left marks on the same few streets, and the island lets you compare their work without a long journey between sights. Few places on the Red Sea coast keep this much coral architecture, even in a damaged state.
The second reason is contrast with the highlands. After Asmara’s cool, modernist boulevards, the island offers salt, heat, dhows and a different Eritrea of port trade and Red Sea links. The 1990 battle for Massawa is still visible in pitted walls and empty shells of buildings, which gives the visit a seriousness you will not find in a polished heritage site.
For your route, the island is the natural stop before boat trips to the Dahlak Archipelago, and … read more 👉
Massawa Old Town is where you read Eritrea’s layered past in a single afternoon of walking. Ottoman, Egyptian and Italian builders all left marks on the same few streets, and the island lets you compare their work without a long journey between sights. Few places on the Red Sea coast keep this much coral architecture, even in a damaged state.
The second reason is contrast with the highlands. After Asmara’s cool, modernist boulevards, the island offers salt, heat, dhows and a different Eritrea of port trade and Red Sea links. The 1990 battle for Massawa is still visible in pitted walls and empty shells of buildings, which gives the visit a seriousness you will not find in a polished heritage site.
For your route, the island is the natural stop before boat trips to the Dahlak Archipelago, and a good place to slow down after the road down from the plateau.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Coral-house lanes of Massawa Island: The old streets of two-story coral buildings with wooden rawashin balconies are what most people come for. Some facades are carefully restored, others are propped up or open to the sky, and the contrast is the point.
  2. Sheikh Hanafi Mosque: One of the island’s oldest mosques, with a simple whitewashed interior and a minaret that stands above the rooftops. Dress modestly and ask before going in.
  3. Mosque of the Companions (Sahaba Mosque): Local tradition links this mosque to the earliest days of Islam in Africa. Its plain, low form is typical of the old island, and the surrounding lanes are good for slow wandering.
  4. Munzinger Palace: Named for the Swiss-born governor of the Egyptian period, this old administrative building shows the island’s Ottoman-Egyptian layer.
… read more 👉
  1. Coral-house lanes of Massawa Island: The old streets of two-story coral buildings with wooden rawashin balconies are what most people come for. Some facades are carefully restored, others are propped up or open to the sky, and the contrast is the point.
  2. Sheikh Hanafi Mosque: One of the island’s oldest mosques, with a simple whitewashed interior and a minaret that stands above the rooftops. Dress modestly and ask before going in.
  3. Mosque of the Companions (Sahaba Mosque): Local tradition links this mosque to the earliest days of Islam in Africa. Its plain, low form is typical of the old island, and the surrounding lanes are good for slow wandering.
  4. Munzinger Palace: Named for the Swiss-born governor of the Egyptian period, this old administrative building shows the island’s Ottoman-Egyptian layer. Damage from fighting and age is plain, which makes it more affecting than any restoration would.
  5. Imperial Palace on Taulud: Across the causeway, this former residence of Ethiopian rulers looks out over the harbor. Its battered terraces and sea views reward a short walk from the old island.
  6. Massawa harbor and dhow waterfront: The port edge is where working boats load and unload, and where the island feels most alive. Fishermen mend nets, cargo moves, and you can watch it from the quay at a distance.
  7. Fenkil monument on the causeway: A memorial to the 1990 battle that ended the fight for the port. Tanks and weapons mark the approach, and it explains the damage you see everywhere else.
Massawa Old Town costs nothing to explore on foot, and walking the lanes and the waterfront is the cheapest and best part of the visit.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Massawa Old Town

Asmara City Tour

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4 Days Private Eritrea Tour with Transfer

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7 Days Private Eritrea Tour

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8 Days in Eritrea Asmara Ancient Sites and Red Sea Paradise

8 Days in Eritrea Asmara Ancient Sites and Red Sea Paradise

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9 Days Eritrea and Beyond Explore Asmara Keren Massawa Djibouti

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Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

  • Winter (November to February): Massawa Old Town is at its most comfortable, with highs of 28 to 32°C (82 to 90°F) and lows of 22 to 25°C (72 to 77°F). Sea breezes make the coral-stone alleys walkable at midday. Eritrean and diaspora visitors fill the guesthouses around Christmas and New Year, and prices peak.
  • Shoulder (March to April, October): Highs climb to 33 to 37°C (91 to 99°F) and humidity thickens. Walk early and late, and rest indoors from noon to 3 pm. Rooms are easier to find.
  • Summer (May to September): This is among the hottest and most humid places on Earth. Highs of 38 to 43°C (100 to 109°F) are common and nights rarely fall below 30°C (86°F). Rain is scarce, but the heat is punishing for sightseeing. Rooms are cheapest and the streets are quiet.
  • Daylight: Days stay close to 11 to
… read more 👉
  • Winter (November to February): Massawa Old Town is at its most comfortable, with highs of 28 to 32°C (82 to 90°F) and lows of 22 to 25°C (72 to 77°F). Sea breezes make the coral-stone alleys walkable at midday. Eritrean and diaspora visitors fill the guesthouses around Christmas and New Year, and prices peak.
  • Shoulder (March to April, October): Highs climb to 33 to 37°C (91 to 99°F) and humidity thickens. Walk early and late, and rest indoors from noon to 3 pm. Rooms are easier to find.
  • Summer (May to September): This is among the hottest and most humid places on Earth. Highs of 38 to 43°C (100 to 109°F) are common and nights rarely fall below 30°C (86°F). Rain is scarce, but the heat is punishing for sightseeing. Rooms are cheapest and the streets are quiet.
  • Daylight: Days stay close to 11 to 13 hours all year, so plan a full day of walking between dawn and late afternoon.
Go in January or February, and book ahead if your trip overlaps with the Christmas holidays.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: good for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: below average for travelingJUNJune: below average for travelingJULJuly: below average for travelingAUGAugust: below average for travelingSEPSeptember: below average for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: excellent for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
eritrea-attraction-massawa-old-town v1
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Eritrea

The best base for backpackers is on Massawa Island itself, the old core of Massawa Old Town, because the Ottoman and Italian-era alleys, coffee stands and waterfront are all within a ten-minute walk. Eritrea has no real hostel scene, so you will be choosing between small family-run guesthouses and simple hotels. Expect basic rooms, and in summer look for one with working air conditioning. You will meet other travelers over a shared breakfast or a fish dinner rather than in a dorm.

The island is compact and feels safe at night. Locals sit outside cafes until late, and the police presence is steady. … read more 👉
The best base for backpackers is on Massawa Island itself, the old core of Massawa Old Town, because the Ottoman and Italian-era alleys, coffee stands and waterfront are all within a ten-minute walk. Eritrea has no real hostel scene, so you will be choosing between small family-run guesthouses and simple hotels. Expect basic rooms, and in summer look for one with working air conditioning. You will meet other travelers over a shared breakfast or a fish dinner rather than in a dorm.

The island is compact and feels safe at night. Locals sit outside cafes until late, and the police presence is steady. Remember that a travel permit is needed for visits beyond the city, so ask your host to help arrange it.

The causeway-linked area of Taulud, just across from the island, is the second choice. It has a few more mid-range hotels, quieter streets and sea views, and it sits a short walk or cheap taxi ride from the old quarter. Pick it if you want more space and a seafront setting.

The mainland district of Massawa (Gitti) is more local and less atmospheric. It makes sense only if the island is fully booked. Staying there means a short ride back each evening, and fewer places to eat late.
Best hostels in Eritrea


Best quality hotels in Eritrea

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

Massawa Old Town costs about US$45 to 70 a day for a backpacker, and the figure in the table is US$62 for high season. Walking the island is free, so most of your money goes to a bed, fresh seafood and transport from Asmara. Travelers pay in nakfa, but cash dollars or euros are often handy for hotels, and card payments are rarely available.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Accommodation (high season)US$25 to 40Simple guesthouse room, often with air conditioning. Summer rates drop to roughly US$15 to 25.
FoodUS$8 to 15Grilled fish, pasta and fuul at local restaurants. Coffee and pastries are very cheap.
Local transportUS$1 to 4The island is walkable. Shared or private taxis cover the causeways and mainland.
Sightseeing and entryUS$0 to 5The alleys, mosques and waterfront are free. Some buildings
… read more 👉
Massawa Old Town costs about US$45 to 70 a day for a backpacker, and the figure in the table is US$62 for high season. Walking the island is free, so most of your money goes to a bed, fresh seafood and transport from Asmara. Travelers pay in nakfa, but cash dollars or euros are often handy for hotels, and card payments are rarely available.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Accommodation (high season)US$25 to 40Simple guesthouse room, often with air conditioning. Summer rates drop to roughly US$15 to 25.
FoodUS$8 to 15Grilled fish, pasta and fuul at local restaurants. Coffee and pastries are very cheap.
Local transportUS$1 to 4The island is walkable. Shared or private taxis cover the causeways and mainland.
Sightseeing and entryUS$0 to 5The alleys, mosques and waterfront are free. Some buildings ask a small donation or fee.
Intercity transport (averaged)US$3 to 8Buses and minibuses from Asmara take about 3 to 4 hours, with a one-way fare of roughly US$3 to 6. The cost is averaged over your trip.
ExtrasUS$3 to 5Drinks, water and small tips.
Total Daily BudgetUS$62Lower in summer, when rooms are cheaper.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQFrequently asked questions about Massawa Old Town

One full day covers Massawa Old Town, and an overnight stay is better. Walking the island, its mosques, the coffee houses and the waterfront takes 4 to 6 hours. Add Taulud and a stop at the nearby Dahlak ferry area if you have an extra morning, and begin early to beat the heat.
Massawa Old Town is worth visiting, and wandering its streets is free, so there is no fee to weigh. A few specific buildings may ask a small payment of around US$0 to 5. The coral-stone Ottoman and Italian-era houses, the mosques and the harbor reward a half-day, and the war damage in places adds context.
Massawa Old Town lies about 115 km east of Asmara, and the road drops from roughly 2,300 m to sea level. Buses and shared minibuses take about 3 to 4 hours and cost around US$3 to 6. You need a travel permit for trips outside Asmara, so arrange it in the capital first. Once there, you can reach the island over a causeway from the mainland by foot or taxi.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Eritrean attractions near Massawa Old Town

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We 💚 feedbackParting advice and final tips

Massawa Old Town is best with one night and two mornings. That gives you the lanes, the palaces and the waterfront without fighting the afternoon heat, and the cooler early hours are when the island looks its best. I would skip a long stay unless you plan boat trips to the Dahlak Archipelago. Bring a hat, water and small notes for tea.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Eritrea. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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