Most people wouldn’t consider Asmara like a city trip destination, and that’s because most people travel to Africa to go on safari or go on big cultural and historical tours. There aren’t too many cities out there which are ideal for a nice city trip because most of the African capitals are noisy, hectic and don’t have much to offer. Asmara is one of those exceptions: it’s an architectural wonderland where time stood still with friendly locals, excellent food, great coffee scene and furthermore the city center is clean, safe and calm. Asmara is ideal for anyone in the region looking for a nice weekend escape or for people looking for a stop in their trip throughout the continent or Eritrea itself. We go even as far as saying that Asmara is one of the top destinations in Eritrea actually and deserves a few days to fully explore and enjoy as there is plenty to see and do.

First timers are blown away from the peaceful, friendly atmosphere, the clean streets, perfectly conserved buildings, amazing Italian architecture, the great food and the best coffee there is. Coming to Africa’s ‘Little Rome’ as it was called by the Italian occupiers back in the day, will make you feel like you’re on a film set. Don’t forget to bring your camera, because you’re going to have tons of photo opportunities!

The main attraction in Asmara is of course the World Heritage listed colonial Italian architecture which can be found all over the city. When the Italians were still around, they got obsessed with constructing buildings and building a little Italy in Africa. The city was well-planned and has palm-lined streets and beautiful examples of modernist, fascist and art deco architecture. The center is full of cafés, bars, shops and old cinemas with plenty of photographic opportunities.

The city has the perfect romantic atmosphere ideal for couples who want to go on a romantic trip for a few days and who’re looking for something unique and completely different. So suit up and get your best clothes with you for a nice romantic adventure in Eritrea’s capital and get your perfect pictures you’ve always wanted!

During your stay you’ll be lodged in the best and most romantic hotel in the whole country. Albergo Italia is the oldest hotel in Asmara. Built in 1899, it was completely renovated in 2004 by Johannes Primo, with the collaboration of the architect Carlo lachino, who wanted to preserve its history of more than 100 years. All the rooms of the hotel are, in fact, furnished with antiques from the beginning of the last century. The atmosphere that flows from it is cozy and luxurious.

One Imperial suite plus three suites, distinguished by a dominant color of their name (red, green and yellow) are available for customers with eight beautiful rooms and six double rooms with a loft on one floor, all equipped with tv, air conditioning, minibar and telephone. In addition, the hotel has a bar and two beautifully decorated restaurants where you can have the best meals in all of Asmara. 

Itinerary:

Day 1: On your first day you’ll be awaited at the airport and brought to your hotel. We’ll tell you where you can go for dinner and you can enjoy a free evening.

Day 2: You will meet up with our local English/Italian speaking guide who will show you around in the city center telling you more about its history and with a strong focus on the architecture and Italian remainders. We’ll also have a stop to have a perfect macchiato and show you our favorite gelato and pizza places! Included in our day is also a visit to the national museum where we’ll inform you all about local culture, history and traditions. In the evening we’ll take you out to our wooden bowling alley to show you how we bowl the Eritrean way! 

Day 3: Today is all about food. Eritrea has great local cuisine with injera, a sort of flatbread made of teffe, being the staple and eaten with meat, sea food or vegan alternatives. Because of the heavy Italian presence during colonial times, we can also find excellent Italian food such as pasta, pizza, desserts and perfect macchiatos and cappuccinos everywhere in town. We hope you’re very hungry today and that you like coffee, because you’re going to eat a lot!

We will start our tour in our favorite coffee bar where we’ll have one of the best macchiatos on the planet. Think we exaggerate? Just try for yourself. We are coffee fanatics who’ve had coffee in the world’s best coffee destinations such as Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Italy, Colombia and more and nothing beats a nice macchiato from this place, period. After our shot of caffeine we’ll bring you somewhere to show you how injera is made. To make injera the traditional way, is quite time-consuming and labour-intense. We’ll tell you all about the process and you’ll have the chance to take some unique pictures.

After the introduction to injera, we’ll have a nice traditional coffee ceremony with incense and three coffee rounds. We’ll provide a few snacks which are traditionally eaten during the ceremony such as popcorn and local peanuts. Afterwards we’ll head out for a traditional lunch/dinner (depending on the time our tour begins) where you’ll be able to try a whole variety of local specialities. After an excellent meal, we’ll go to visit the tank graveyard where we can find tanks, army vehicles and machinery which were dumped after the independence-war. We’ll also go to the highest point of the city so you can have the perfect view of Asmara and take the perfect pictures. After our tour we’ll go have the perfect gelato which is as good as you’d have it in Italy and also the perfect way to end our day tour.

Day 4: Today is our last day and we’ll get you to the airport or assist you to your next destination in Eritrea.

End of tour

Includes:

– Professional local guide: English or Italian speaking
– Airport transfers: both ways
– Hotel for three nights
– On day 3: coffee ceremony, two coffees at two bars, one traditional meal, one gelato
– Entrance fees to all places
– Transport: only private car or private taxi

Doesn’t include:

– All meals and drinks besides those on day 3 as described
– Personal insurance
– Flights