Introducing Asmara
Ah, Asmara. Arrive here on a clear day, and you’ll fall in love with this diamond of a capital. Peaceful neighbourhoods, pavement cafés with vintage Italian coffee machines, cheery pizza parlours, tantalising pastry shops, a relaxed pace of life… You’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a southern Italian town. And there’s the fabulous architecture, with a melee of architectural wonders from the Italian era. The balmy climate is another draw: Asmara is bathed in sunshine eight months of the year.
Advertisement
Alas, it’s too good to be true. The battered economy and the clampdown on civil liberties have taken their toll over past years, and it shows. Gone is the dolce vita (life of luxury) – belt-tightening is now the order of the day, with power cuts, queues in front of food stores, slack business, and deserted streets at night.
One thing is sure, though: Asmara remains one of the most agreeable cities in Africa and it will be one of the highlights of your African journey.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Tips & articles
-
The 10 greatest comeback cities
1 November 2010
Toss aside your preconceptions, and come with us on a tour of the greatest comeback cities in the world, with...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
-
RE: Sudan-Eritrea border
by Idberg 29 August 2011
Is it easy to get to the border from Kassala - ie. are there many busses? And what about continuing to Asmara - is registration in Tesseney…
-
RE: How to get Asmara on the cheap?
by chriskean1 19 August 2011
Get your visa in the USA if you want to go to Eritrea. It is hit-or-miss; more so now than when I went three years ago. But the only…
-
RE: Best African cities to visit?
by chriskean1 19 August 2011
+I think it's a shame that a continent so big and beautiful isn't known for it's cities.+ I don't think North America should be judged…
Hotels & Hostels in Asmara
-
Book now
Albergo Italia
Asmara -
Book now
Asmara Central Hotel
Asmara -
Book now
Africa Pension Hotel
Asmara
Advertisement
