A country where time has truly stopped. And that is exactly what makes it worth seeing.
We will run this program only once.
After landing in Asmara, our team greets us — and it immediately feels as if we’ve stepped into another era. The air smells of coffee, the sun slides along art-deco façades, and the city seems to move at its own pace.
We check in at Hotel and take a rest. The evening is free — we can wander through the streets, admire the neon signs, and listen to how this calm, curious city breathes.
After breakfast, we arrange our travel permit and head toward Massawa via Nefasit. We stop at scenic viewpoints to see the panorama of mountain slopes, with the railway line winding through them.
After lunch, we explore the former Italian pearl — the city of Massawa. Located on the Red Sea coast, the city greets us with heat that melts the air and architecture that still remembers its past. The Sheikh Hanafi Mosque, dating back to the 15th century and located in the heart of the old town, is one of the finest examples of Ethiopian Islamic architecture. Its courtyard is decorated with plaster carvings, and inside hangs a magnificent chandelier made from glass produced on the Murano islands near Venice, Italy.
In the evening, we return to Asmara. On our way back, we cross the Ponte di Dogali bridge bearing the inscription “custa lon ca custa” — “whatever it may cost.” The bridge was built by the Italians in the 1930s, during preparations by the fascists for the invasion of Ethiopia.
Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel.
In the morning, we drive to Keren. We stroll through the town and visit its bustling market.
We see the serene St. Anthony’s Church, and nearby — the Great Mosque of Keren.
After lunch, we return to Asmara. A free evening, a delicious dinner, and overnight at Hotel.
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After breakfast, we set out on a tour of Asmara’s main landmarks and the central market.
In the afternoon, we walk along Harnet Avenue and visit the Cathedral Our Lady of the Rosary — a tall neo-Gothic church with spires that seem to reach into the sky. Nearby stands the Great Mosque of Asmara, also known as Al Khulafa Al Rashideen. Two sacred sites of different faiths — this is the essence of Asmara: quiet harmony where worlds coexist peacefully.
We enjoy dinner and then take a transfer to the airport for our night flight to Dubai. The sun sets behind the domes, and the city once again freezes in golden light.
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