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Are you planning to Travel to Eritrea? Eritrea is one of the unique countries in the world. The country is located in the horn of Africa. But, Eritrea is not just another African country. You will find a tinge of Arabian culture because of its broad shores facing the Middle East. It has a blend of European culture because of its colonization by the British and Italians. And it is African, simply because it is in Africa. Alongside the unique Eritrean cultural heritage, there are numerous attractions in Eritrea that you cannot resist the temptation of travel to Eritrea.
Eritrea has historically been one of the least travelled countries. But, now, after its 2018 peace agreement with Ethiopia is ready to welcome tourists seeking a refreshing break from the modern and commercial way of life. With its vast and beautiful beaches, a hospitable and diverse culture, and a scenic natural landscape still unknown to many, Eritrea is sure to have that soothing effect on your soul. The Eritrean beaches on the Dahlak islands are clean, crystal clear, white and pristine.
How to Get Eritrea Visa and Travel to Eritrea
Eritrean visa requirements vary depending on the country of your residence. If your country of residence has an Eritrean Embassy, you need to apply for a visa to Eritrea through the embassy, which might take months to complete the process. However, you can apply for an easy Eritrean visa on arrival if you are in a country where there is no Eritrean embassy. You would need to submit a copy of your passport, three passport size photos of yourself, your full residence address, and an email address.
Eritrea is a country in the Horn of Africa. The country is bounded to the southeast by Djibouti, to the south by Ethiopia, to the west by Sudan, and the east by the Red Sea. Its capital and largest city are Asmara.
Eritrean national flag carrier airline provides a few flight services from some countries. Ethiopian Airlines or Turkish Airlines offer better alternative flight services for travel to Eritrea.
What to Pack before Eritrea Travel
Some basic things you might like to know before you travel to Eritrea are; Eritrean weather, culture, and Eritrean dress. Eritrea is on the Equator and has a moderate climate throughout the year. So, you don’t need to be worried about warm clothes from a weather point of view. However, it would be better to have a thin leather jacket for visiting Eritrean highlands.
Eritreans are overall liberal about their dressing, and Eritrean people are very accommodating when it comes to facilitating foreigners and tourists. However, to avoid being over prominent in rural areas, it would be better to wear more body covering dresses and bikinis or open shoulder dresses on Gurgusum beach and Dahlak. If you are on some medicine, it is advisable to take those with you, along
Tourists’ Attractions in Eritrea
Asmara is Eritrea’s capital city. Since 2017, Asmara city has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Asmara is a city of thousands of Art Deco, futurist, modernist, and rationalist buildings. Such buildings are Fiat Tagliero Building, Teatro d’Opera, Cinema Impero, and Church of Our Lady of the Rosary. Dahlak islands, with their calm and mysterious lagoons of turquoise water, Highlands between Asmara and Massawa, Massawa city, and The Gulf of Zula are popular tourist attractions in Eritrea.
Hotels in Eritrea
Booking hotels in Eritrea is not a straightforward choice. If you want comfort and luxury, you must book in the only five-star hotel in Asmara. There are also some upper-end hotels that offer reasonable, if not the best, services. Electricity, water supplies, and other issues are concerned for lower-end hotels. So, book any upper-end hotel in advance in the summer vacation months (June-August). You may also book upper-end hotels after physically visiting and checking the facilities.
Some other things to consider before you Travel to Eritrea
There are no ATMs in Eritrea, so you need to keep this in mind. Internet facilities are also rare, but there are some internet cafes in major cities of the country. The country is very safe for foreigners. You need special travel permits when travelling outside of the capital city Asmara. The fact is that the tour agency in Asmara can usually obtain permission for a visa to be issued on arrival.
