Eritreauntil 1941 has been an Italian colony. Before 1941, Egyptian and Turkish settlers had established themselves in the country. Eritrea is a historical blend of these unique ethnicities and therefore has much to offer in architecture and culture. Not to mention that experience seekers could have a ball at this very place. It is the 5th ranked among the many attractive tourist destinations in Africa. The Red Sea borders Eritrean border to the northeast and west.
Tourists’ attractions in Eritrea have started attracting tourists from across the world. Travel to Eritrea has not been straightforward previously. More and more international airlines have started their flight services through the government’s efforts and Eritrea’s increasing popularity among the tourists for its natural beauty and cultural and archeological sites.
So, what are the major tourist attractions in Eritrea that the country is fast becoming a popular tourist destination? It is because Eritrea has too many diverse attractions, ranging from its unique fauna and flora, sea life, beautiful Archipelago formation, still functional remains of colonial-era buildings, and above all, its extremely rich archeological sites like Adulis and Qohaito
Asmara - Piccola Roma (Little Rome)
Asmara is one of the best attractions in Eritrea. Asmara was the center of Italy’s East African Empire. After Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1935, Asmara turned into a boomtown and transformed into one of the modern African cities. Today, it seems like such a city lost in time and owning the maximum immersion & most complete group of Modernist designs on the planet.
Eritrea’s beautiful and pleasant capital is described as “A city above the clouds.” Asmara hosts most of the tourist attractions in Eritrea. Famous buildings such as Fiat Tagliero Building, Cinema Asmara (or the old Opera House), St. Mary’s Coptic Cathedral, Al Khulafa al Rashedin, and many more are beautiful blends of western, African, and Islamic styles of construction.
Massawa - Pearl of the Red Sea
Massawa! The City of Islands and the “Pearl of the Red Sea” is A city that has been among the major ports throughout the region for decades. The city’s beauty has been influenced over the last decades by the Portuguese and the Arabs and the Turks and the Egyptians, as well as the British and the Italians and, most importantly, the Eritreans.
The growth of Massawa was initially inspired by The Arabian Peninsula, which has been recognized as a center of artistic and intellectual talent. This can be seen in the design of the town. To stop the increasing French influences in this region, The “snatched” Eritrea from the Egyptians in 1882, and they then “ceded” the territory to the Italians in 1885.
Massawa, therefore, became the seat of the Italian colony’s embryo until the Capital was established at Asmara at the end of 1887. To provide their capital city from Massawa in the beginning, the Italians initially used an electric cable car, one of the largest in existence, to carry products from the port along the coast, down to 2500 meters in depth.
The populations of the new capitals increased dramatically. Still, it wasn’t easy to sustain, and a railroad line was built. The construction was not without technical challenges because of the barrier that ran between the Capital and the port before it finally arrived in Asmara by 1922. For nearly 50 years, it was a railroad that carried people and goods across Eritrea and took about 6 hours to travel from Massawa to Asmara.
The line opened up new markets for agricultural goods, and cities such as Nefasit, Keren, and Agordat thrived. This is why Massawa prospered as never before. During the 1960s, Massawa was the most prominent, safest, and most profitable port along the East African coast. The British gradually demolished the railway in the conflict that destroyed Eritrea from the 1960s. In 1993, highly skilled railway workers were recruited to repair the rail machinery and old locomotives and then began transferring tracks to Massawa. After many years of dedication and determination, the railroad is back in operation.
Ancient Port of Adulis
The ancient port and archeological sites of Adulis make Eritrea the most popular country for archeologists. Adulis is 59 kilometers south of the modern sea-port Massawa. The ancient port of Adulis, in the 3rd century A.D, was one of the busiest ports linking the Greek, Roman, and Byzantium Empires of the north to Africa, Arabia, India, and China in the east. Adulis is one of the most tourist attractions in Eritrea.
Zula and the Gulf of Zula
Zula is a small town near the archeological sites of Adulis. Adulis, the gulf of Zula, the agricultural village of Foro, The Aligede River between two large Mountains, and the mangroves on the coast are top-rated tourist attractions in Zula.
Dahlak Archipelago
The Dahlak Islands, appropriately an archipelago, are home to several places where you can have a pleasant vacation. Located in the Red Sea, the island is home to most of Eritrea’s population.
The place is ideal for water sports and activities like diving. Dahlak’s coastline has lush green mangroves and deep underwater coral reefs, and Dahlak Kabir, the property’s largest island, is famous for pearl fishing.
The Dahlak Marine National Park
The national park is located in the Dahlak Islands and is mainly surrounded by the Red Sea. This makes this place full of flora and fauna. It is home to exotic fish and aquatic animals and a wonderful nesting place for birds. Understand nature most authentically. To sail to Khao Lak, you can choose a yacht that departs from the Massawa. This place is also popular with diving and water sports enthusiasts and is one of the best attractions in Eritrea.
The Danakil Depression
Dankalia occupies a large part of southern Eritrea and the northeastern lowlands of Ethiopia. The part of Dankalia, which is in Eritrea, consists of a narrow strip of land extending south and extending for almost 500 km.
The most majestic coast of the Red Sea barely stirs the thick, thick air that boils from the baked ground in relentless waves that burn the skin and choke the lungs. Dankalia’s hell waste would be his choice if the devil wanted to create hell on earth. But for the most intrepid travelers, this hostile landscape offers an unforgettable journey. It is one of the top attractions in Eritrea.
QOHAITO AND ITS SURROUNDING ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES
Eritrea has many archaeological sites that have not yet been discovered. The most famous is the Qohaito, ruins on the southern road from Asmara to Senafa. At this time, it is the ruins of the Safras Dam and the palace of King Saba in the Axum period and before Axum. The old port of Adulis is currently being excavated.
Eritrea travel is not just about visiting these places; it is also about learning an African culture that is not entirely African. The culture has influences from as far back in history as the Roman, Greek, Byzantium, and Egyptian Empires of the ancient world.
The Arab influence from across the Red Sea also enriches the Eritrean culture. The Afar nomads, the Saho people, still have the culture of those ancient humans who colonized and populated the whole world in their roots.
