Massawa Travel Guide

 
by chrisbilal
 
  •   Hotels
    by chrisbilal
  •   Hotels
    by chrisbilal
  •   Massawa
    by titti
  •   Massawa
    by mirko77
  • Old Palace at Massawa
      Old Palace at Massawa
    by janiebaxter
 

Explore Massawa

Things to Do  

Massawa Island Architecture

Massawa Island Architecture, Massawa

 janiebaxter Says:  Massawa is made up of 2 islands Massawa and Taulud, plus the mainland which is mostly residential. Massawa Island is the best place to walk around and see interesting and charming architecture.In the side streets opposite the harbour you will find a 17th century coral block... 

Exploring the old town

Exploring the old town, Massawa

 hunwagner Says:  Once you leave the main waterfront and the main street, you will find lots of sadly dilapidated buildings that would deserve to be rescued. Still, it is fascinating to do some exploring, and you come across unexpected gems like these traditional wooden balconies every now... 

The main street in the old town

The main street in the old town, Massawa

 hunwagner Says:  This is the main throughfare on Massawa Island. It is quite lively with lots of stores and bars/restaurants, and the old buildings here are in better condition than in much of the old town. 

The port

The port, Massawa

 hunwagner Says:  The old port on Massawa Island is still busy with cargo traffic. It is also lined with old houses that have been restored to a decent condition. This is likely to be the first thing you see as you approach Massawa Island. 

Talaud Island

Talaud Island, Massawa

 hunwagner Says:  Talaud Island has little of interest apart from its hotels, but you will have to pass through it anyway. This war monument welcoming you as you cross the causeway from the mainland is about the most interesting thing I saw on Talaud. 

Hotels  

Dahlak Hotel: Massawa's best

Dahlak Hotel: Massawa's best, Massawa

 chrisbilal Says:  This was a very lavish hotel (by Eritrean standards). It was the best one in the city and quite affordable by european standards. The rooms were clean and although not modern, were pleasant. Hotel is near the water with some good views. The last news I heard was that the... 

Hotel Torino

Hotel Torino, Massawa

 mirko77 Says:

Poor selection

Poor selection, Massawa

 hunwagner Says:  Unfortunately, Massawa offers some of the worst accomodation in Eritrea - and for the highest prices!"Hotels" on Massawa Island itself are very, very run-down, noisy and dirty brothels.Better ones are found on Talaud Island, but they are overpriced even for fan rooms.And... 

Restaurants  

Mohammed's Fish house: Not much selection, but what a catch!

Mohammed's Fish house: Not much selection, but what a catch!, Massawa

 chrisbilal Says:  The restraunt was small and unassuming. Inside two men were cooking fish inside an inset oven, almost like an Indian Tandoor.Selection? Your choice was big fish or little fish . . but wow - this place was amazing. What's to say? 

intersting quisine.

intersting quisine., Massawa

 alayola Says:  Ok how do I get this started, I eat in a few diferent places, food is overall pretty good here, in one restaurant I had what was descrived as a traditional burger, I didn't know burgers were tradiotional here, lol, anyways the meat was more then likely camel meat, just... 

Excellent Sea-food!

Excellent Sea-food!, Massawa

 hunwagner Says:  As a slight compensation for the horrible hotel scene, restaurants in Massawa serve excellent sea-food.Again, the prices are a bit higher than elsewhere, but they are well worth it! 

Transportation  

Getting to Massawa

Getting to Massawa, Massawa

 hunwagner Says:  The only way to Massawa is by road.Buses leave Asmara's bus termina about hourly, or you can take a shared taxi if you are in a hurry. The trip takes about three hours through stunning landscapes.Buses between Asmara and Assab in Dankalia also stop in Massawa, though if you... 

City transport

City transport, Massawa

 hunwagner Says:  Massawa's long distance bus station is on the mainland. Minibuses run from the mainland part of the town across Talaud Island to Massawa Island, or of course there are taxis. 

Off The Beaten Path  

Caduti di Dogali

Caduti di Dogali, Massawa

 mirko77 Says:  In 1887 the invading Italian army was defeated at Dogali. A monument was built here after Eritrea was conquered.The monument is quite nice and well kept and a caretaker has a guest book with some information regarding the battle. 

The old road to Asmara

The old road to Asmara, Massawa

 mirko77 Says:  You can get to Asmara by the old road that goes through Dogali, Ghinda, Dongollo and arrives in Asmara after three hours of zigzagging its way up the high plateau 

The Place

Plan a Massawa vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Massawa locals

Experience Massawa
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The People

 
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 As a slight compensation for the horrible hotel scene, restaurants in Massawa serve excellent sea-food.Again, the prices are a bit higher than elsewhere, but... 

 

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Top Massawa Writers

1

Massawa: Eritrea's Historic Red Sea Port

hunwagner profile photo

 Massawa has a completely different feel from other towns in Eritrea. This port town is split in three distinct parts. The sprawling new part on the mainland is of little interest. Across a causeway is... 

2

Stunning Massawa

mirko77 profile photo

 I've got some interesting experiences in Massawa. I'd love to share with you the 4 tips I've written, the 12 photos uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created. 

3

Massawa Charming Red Sea Port

janiebaxter profile photo

 Massawa was known as The Peal of The Red Sea, a once beautiful City. It was dessimated by Ethiopia during the war but rebuilding has started, and much is being done to preserve the style of the... 

4

A poor city with a lot of heart and much to offer

alayola profile photo

 As you walk through the streets of massawa you can still see war damage on many buildings, damage left behind from their strugle to independence. And yet there was a sence of peacefulness as we walked... 

5

"I hope to meet you again..."

titti profile photo

 I've got some interesting experiences in Massawa. I'd love to share with you the 0 tips I've written, the 1 photo uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created. 

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