Things to Do in Asmara

About Asmara

Frozen in time since the 1930s, Asmara stands as Africa's secret modernist masterpiece—a high-altitude capital where art deco cinemas, futurist gas stations, and rationalist architecture paint the skyline in ochre and cream. This UNESCO World Heritage city pulses with an unhurried elegance, where Italian espresso culture meets East African warmth on tree-lined boulevards that seem plucked from a Mediterranean dream. Here, preserved by decades of isolation, lies one of the world's most intact examples of early 20th-century urban planning, waiting to rewrite everything you thought you knew about African cities.

Travel Tips

• Currency and Cash: Bring sufficient US dollars or euros in cash as ATMs are extremely unreliable and credit cards are rarely accepted; exchange money at official banks or your hotel, and note that the official exchange rate differs significantly from the black market rate.

• Photography Restrictions: Always ask permission before photographing people, government buildings, military installations, or infrastructure like bridges and airports, as Eritrea has strict rules about photography and violations can result in detention or confiscation of equipment.

• Vintage Italian Architecture Walking Tour: Explore Asmara's UNESCO-listed Art Deco and Modernist Italian colonial architecture on foot, particularly along Harnet Avenue and Independence Avenue, where you'll find remarkably preserved 1930s buildings, the Fiat Tagliero Service Station, and classic Italian cafés serving excellent macchiatos.

• Transportation and Permits: Arrange travel permits through your hotel or tour operator before attempting to leave Asmara for other regions, as checkpoints require documentation; within the city, use the affordable shared taxis (red and white) that follow set routes, or negotiate fixed prices for private taxi rides before departure.

When to Visit

Asmara's high-altitude location at 2,325 meters creates remarkably temperate conditions year-round, with the optimal visiting window falling between September and March when daytime temperatures hover between 18-25°C and rainfall is minimal. October through February represents the absolute peak period, offering crystalline skies, cool evenings dipping to 5-10°C, and perfect conditions for exploring the city's Art Deco architecture on foot, though you'll need to book accommodation well in advance during September's Independence Day celebrations (September 1st) and the vibrant Eritrean cycling season that draws international competitors. The main rainy season from June through early September brings afternoon showers and drops temperatures to 15-20°C, transforming the surrounding highlands into lush green landscapes—ideal for budget travelers willing to trade occasional wetness for 30-40% lower hotel rates and empty streets at tourist sites like the Fiat Tagliero Building. April and May mark a brief, intensely hot dry spell when temperatures can spike to 28-30°C before the rains arrive, making early mornings essential for sightseeing but offering the unique advantage of witnessing pre-rain agricultural preparations in the terraced farmlands surrounding the capital. Winter months (December-February) provide the coolest and driest conditions but require warm layers for evening strolls along Harnet Avenue, as temperatures regularly drop near freezing after sunset, while the Orthodox Christmas (January 7th) and Epiphany celebrations offer extraordinary cultural immersion opportunities with processions and traditional coffee ceremonies throughout the city.