Eritrea, Bradt Travel Guide (5th ed. Nov. 2026)

This new, fifth edition of Bradt's Eritrea remains the only full-blown guide to this intriguing northeast African country. Once again it has been thoroughly updated by Edward Denison, whose expertise draws on nearly a quarter of a century of personal and professional experience working in and with Eritrea, notably preparing Asmara's successful Nomination Dossier for inscription on UNESCO's World Heritage List, resulting in the city acquiring World Heritage Status in 2017. Eritrea is a unique destination, too often overlooked by all but the most adventurous travellers, but with a peace agreement with neighbouring Ethiopia having been signed in 2018 ending a two-decade long impasse, opportunities for visiting have increased significantly. This new edition covers everything from background and practical information to an in-depth seven-region breakdown of this comparatively small country, from the capital Asmara to the port city of Massawa, the islands, the southern Red Sea area of Dankalia, Keren and Kakfa, the western Lowlands and the Southern Highlands. Located at the crossroads of three continents, with a mix of African, Middle Eastern and European influences, and a 1,000km coastline and 2,500m high plateau giving rise to outstanding diversity and climatic contrasts, Eritrea offers an astonishing variety of activities and experiences. Bradt's Eritrea covers everything from archaeology to modernist architecture, precipitous mountainscapes to outstanding diving around the Dahlak Archipelago, steam railways to Africa's best cycling community, birdwatching to small game safaris, and amazing cuisine that reflects the nation's regional and colonial encounters. The country's astonishingly rich cultural heritage is also covered in detail, including its abundance of ancient historic sites, amongst them the bathing place and palace of the Queen of Sheba. Bradt's Eritrea offers everything you need for a successful trip.