Adore the art deco of the modernist city of Asmara. Eritrea’s capital boasts a unique and time frozen collection of early 20th-century architecture – with UNESCO awarding it World Heritage Site status.

The Futurist Fiat Tagliero garage with gravity-defying concrete cantilevered 45 metre wing span

California like-palm trees adorn the centre of Asmara

One of many Italian influenced cappuccino bars. Enjoy your pastry alongside spiced black tea - a unique taste of Asmara!

Asmara’s icon cathedral (known as Catterdrale) was built in 1923 housing 8 tower bells forged with the bronze of WW1 Austrian canons from the 1918 battle of Vittorio Veneto.

Asmara from above. Buildings exceeding 80 metres in height are forbidden from construction to preserve the modernist landscape.

Interior of Cattedrale

The Grand Mosque of Asmara was designed by Guido Ferraza in 1938 on the instruction of Benito Mussolini to impress the muslim population of Asmara.

Cinema Impero Art Deco-style structure built in 1937. The big screens continue to show blockbusters as well as popular European soccer matches.

When Italy’s colonial architectural experiment in Eritrea ended in 1941, it left behind an array of Art Deco Modernist styles in Asmara.

Antique 19th century projector in Cinema Roma lobby which doubles up as a cappuccino bar.

Asmara independence festival

Under Fascist Italian colonialism in the 1930s, Asmara provided a blank canvas for Italy’s avant-garde architects, transforming it into an urban utopia, full of public, private and religious structures full of symbolic meaning and functional requirements. Named "Picollo Roma" or Little Rome, the city is a time frozen architectural marvel.

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Example itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Asmara! Airport pick-up where you will be transferred to your hotel in Central Asmara for a 3 night stay.

Half day to relax and in the In the evening, we a visit local establishment for a welcome evening of traditional food, drink and entertainment.

Day 2

Late morning start to tour city of Asmara. Soak in the architectural landscape and hidden elements of symbolic colonial design throughout the city.

Free evening.

Day 3

Second leg of Asmara tour. See the lively Medeber market - a large expanse occupied by swathes of small workshops expertly recycling metal scrap to an array of useful goods. Further in, mills grind various spices and dried red chillis into berbere, a staple spice that goes with almost every traditional meal in Eritrea.

Free evening.

Day 4

Dawn transfer north to the beautiful town of Keren, Eritrea's second largest city surrounded by granitic mountains.

Once booked into hotel, we visit the local camel market. Tradesmen from Sudan and surrounding regions trade camels, livestock, garments and more.

Explore 'Mariam Da'arit', a 17th century statue of St Mary in an impressive hollow section of a Boabab tree, visited by thousands each year. Visit the the 19th Century fortress, War Cemetery and ruins of the old Imperial Palace.

For those needing a night out, enjoy the night vibe and the booming sounds emanating from the elevated restaurants and bars banked on Keren's hills.

Overnight in Keren.

Day 5

Morning trekking or biking of Keren's hillside and landscape.

Evening transfer back to Asmara. Overnight in hotel.

Day 6

Free day in Asmara. Asmara is known as one of the safest cities in the world – enjoy the dutiful helpfulness of the Asmarinos and join them for local spiced tea and Asmara style pastry in one of the many cappuccino bars.

Depart to airport after midnight.

PRICES FROM £950 PER PERSON EXCLUDING FLIGHTS

Not quite sure? Please note that this itinerary is our suggestion. Please contact us at info@redseacrettours.com so we can match your exact requirements.