Eritrea

Eritrea—a thumbtack-shaped country bordering Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and the Red Sea—ranks among Africa’s great adventure destinations, outfitted as it is in some truly mesmerizing and fairly untouched landscapes. Given its diverse ethnic heritage and long history of occupation (most recently by the Italians), Eritrea has numerous cultural and historical attractions on hand. The country itself is, in general, a relatively safe destination for tourists, but ongoing saber-rattling between Eritrea and Ethiopia complicates travel (and partly explains ongoing warnings issued by the U.S. and U.K. governments).

Eritrea’s vast Red Sea coastline, protected in its entirety by the government, accounts for perhaps its chief tourism draw. Beaches and coral reefs—the sort of beloved features that so often suffer from overuse and overdevelopment—tend toward the pristine and mesmerizingly beautiful in Eritrea. One of the premier destinations is the Dahlak Archipelago, famous for biologically vibrant waters and pearl diving.

The handsome and venerable port of Massawa serves as a launchpad for forays to the Dahlak islands and other Red Sea attractions, but it’s a highlight in and of itself: Among its rich share of historic architecture are magnificent relics of the Ottoman and Italian eras. And speaking of the architectural stylings of Italian Eritrea—a colonial entity that prevailed from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s—there’s a fascinating inventory on display in the capital city of Asmara, including the World Bank Building, the Opera House, the Governor’s Palace, and the Cinema Impero.

While exotic scenery and world-class diving attract adventurers to Eritrea, the country’s fascinating cultural stamp warrants similar exploration. Who knows—maybe you’ll even experience that special brand of Eritrean/Ethiopian hospitality, the coffee ceremony!