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Massawa
Red Sea port with Ottoman coral houses
- Best time to visit
- Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
- Currency
- ERN
- Time zone
- UTC+3
- Country
- Eritrea
Massawa is Eritrea's historic Red Sea port, known for its crumbling Ottoman-era coral stone buildings, hot climate, and relaxed island atmosphere. Visitors come for the old town's architecture, fresh seafood, and nearby diving and beaches.
- Asmara
- Keren
- Massawa
- Assab
- Mendefera
Quick facts
- Country
- Eritrea
- Capital
- Asmara
- City population
- 39,758
- Population of Eritrea
- 3.5M
- Country area
- 117,600 km²
- Official language
- Tigrinya, Arabic, and English
- Currency
- Eritrean Nakfa (ERN) · 1 USD ≈ 15 ERN
- Time zone
- UTC+3
- Calling code
- +291
- Drives on the
- Right
- Elevation
- 4 m
- Plugs
- C · 230V
- Emergency numbers
- 112 · 113 · 127
- Best time to visit
- Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Temperatures through the year
Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.
Temperatures through the year
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 29° | 28° | 31° | 33° | 35° | 37° | 39° | 38° | 36° | 34° | 32° | 30° |
| Low | 23° | 23° | 24° | 27° | 28° | 30° | 33° | 32° | 30° | 28° | 26° | 24° |
Best time to visitOther months
Approximate daily cost
Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.
- ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$28
- HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$70
- LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$140
Top things to do
- Free
Old Town Walking Tour
Explore the narrow alleys lined with Ottoman-style coral block buildings and the ancient Grand Mosque; go early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat.
- Half day
- Old Town (Batsi Island)
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
- Free
Tank Monument
See the war memorial on Tualud Island commemorating the 1990 Operation Fenkil; a quick photo stop with views over the causeway.
- Half day
- Tualud Island
- Good for kids
- Free
St. Mary's Catholic Church
Visit this historic church on Tualud Island, a quiet spot with simple architecture; dress respectfully.
- Half day
- Tualud Island
- Good for kids
- Indoors
- ≈ $40
Green Island Day Trip
Take a boat from the Dahlak Hotel to this natural park for snorkeling, pristine beaches, and ruins of an ancient mosque; bring water, food, and sunscreen as there are no facilities.
- Full day
- Old Town (Batsi Island)
- Good for kids
- ≈ $5
Gurgusum Beach
Relax at this mainland beach 14 km north of town with basic facilities like sun loungers and showers; the water is calm but the beach is average.
- Half day
- Gurgusum Beach
- Good for kids
- ≈ $150
Dahlak Islands Diving
Join a diving tour to the Dahlak Archipelago for excellent snorkeling and diving among coral reefs and turquoise waters; tours are expensive and require advance booking.
- Full day
- Old Town (Batsi Island)
- ≈ $2
Segalet Open Air Cinema
Watch a film under the stars at this open-air cinema on the mainland; a casual evening activity popular with locals.
- Half day
- Mainland Massawa
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
- Free
Old Town Evening Market
Wander through the old town after dark when shops, bars, and street food stalls come alive; try fresh grilled fish from the day's catch.
- Half day
- Old Town (Batsi Island)
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Before you go
Entry and visas
You must have a visa to enter Eritrea. There is no general visa-free or visa-on-arrival access, so apply through the Eritrean embassy or consulate responsible for your country before you travel. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after you arrive and have at least 2 blank consecutive pages for stamping. Rules vary by nationality, so check the official UK government entry-requirements page or your nearest Eritrean embassy before booking.
Official websiteFrom the airport
Massawa International Airport has no scheduled flights; most travellers arrive by road from Asmara via the Asmara-Massawa highway, a scenic 115 km drive that takes about 2–3 hours. Buses and minibuses also run frequently from Asmara.
Getting around
The two main islands (Tualud and Old Town) are walkable and connected by causeways; for Gurgusum Beach or other mainland spots, take a taxi or car.
Local tips
- Bring plenty of sunscreen, sunglasses, and insect repellent; these are expensive or unavailable locally.
- Carry cash (Eritrean nakfa) as ATMs are unreliable and cards are rarely accepted.
- The coast is extremely hot year-round; plan outdoor activities for early morning or evening.
- Declare laptops, phones, cameras and other electronics when you arrive. Keep proof that any foreign currency you spent was exchanged at Himbol (the state exchange) or spent at an official hotel. You cannot take more than 1,000 nakfa out of Eritrea.
Areas worth knowing
- Tualud Island
- Gurgusum Beach
- Mainland Massawa
- Old Town (Batsi Island)
The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on October 9, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.
Read the advice on GOV.UKMore cities in Eritrea
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Sources: Wikipedia: Massawa · Wikivoyage: Massawa