Travora
/ Eritrea
The Art Deco capital perched on the highlands
Eritrea is one of Africa's rarest and most secret destinations, perched on the highlands facing the Red Sea. Its capital Asmara, UNESCO-listed, is a living museum of 1930s Italian Art Deco and modernist architecture, with cafés, vintage cinemas and a timeless atmosphere. For a Cameroonian traveller it's a unique adventure: little tourism, extraordinary heritage, spectacular landscapes between mountains and desert coasts. Logistics require patience (internal permits are mandatory), but the experience is unforgettable for those who love going off the beaten track.
In pictures
The visa, step by step
How to apply
Eritrea has no embassy in Cameroon; apply at an Eritrean consulate abroad (often via an approved tour operator). The visa must be obtained before departure, and arrival must occur within 3 months of issuance.
Required documents
- Passport valid at least 6 months with blank pages
- Completed visa application form
- Recent passport photos
- Invitation letter or booking via an approved tour operator
- Round-trip ticket and proof of funds
Good to know
- •No Eritrean embassy in Cameroon: go through a consulate abroad or a tour operator.
- •Internal travel permits are mandatory to leave Asmara (obtained on the spot).
- •Visa is valid 3 months for entry, stay of about 1 month, extendable in Asmara.
A one-week budget
Round-trip flight from Douala / Yaoundé
570 000 FCFA–900 000 FCFANo direct flight; expect one or two stops (often via Cairo, Addis Ababa or Dubai) to Asmara (ASM).
Indicative round-trip price: it varies widely by season, layover and how early you book.
Where the money goes (backpacker estimate)
Budget simulator
What to do there
Asmara's Art Deco architecture
Wander among Italian modernist masterpieces: the Cinema Impero, the plane-shaped Fiat Tagliero station, and many more.
Asmara Cathedral
Imposing Neo-Romanesque Catholic cathedral, a city emblem on Harnet Avenue.
Medebar Market
Fascinating recycling market where everything is remade by hand, a showcase of Eritrean resourcefulness.
Historic train to Nefasit
Ride the Italian-era steam railway down the escarpments toward the coast, with striking panoramas.
Massawa
Former Ottoman and Italian Red Sea port, coral architecture and diving in the Dahlak Islands.
Traditional Eritrean coffee
Attend the coffee ceremony, a central social ritual, with popcorn and incense.
One week, day by day
- D1
Day 1: Arrive in Asmara, acclimatise to the altitude and stroll Harnet Avenue.
- D2
Day 2: Tour the Art Deco architecture and Asmara Cathedral.
- D3
Day 3: Medebar Market and a traditional coffee ceremony.
- D4
Day 4: Historic train excursion to Nefasit (with permit).
- D5
Day 5: Descend to Massawa and the Red Sea port.
- D6
Day 6: Beach or diving toward the Dahlak Islands, return to Asmara.
- D7
Day 7: Last coffees, souvenirs and departure.
Travel checklist
A printable list (or save as PDF) so you forget nothing.
Travel checklist — Érythrée
Before you leave
What to pack
Indicative data (June 2026), reliability moyenne. Visa rules, prices and timelines change: always confirm with official sources before booking.
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