Eritrea, located on the Red Sea coast of the Horn of Africa, offers a unique blend of Italian Art Deco architecture in Asmara, pristine beaches along the Dahlak Archipelago, and rich cultural heritage. This hidden gem features Africa's cleanest capital city and untouched coastal landscapes.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Habesha Kemis (Traditional Dress)
Elegant white cotton dress with intricate embroidered borders in gold and coloured thread, worn for ceremonies and celebrations. Sold in Asmara's textile markets in full dress sets or as individual pieces.
Price: $30-120
Where: Asmara Central Market (Biassa), textile stalls near Harnet Avenue
Medebar Recycled Art Pieces
Unique handcrafted items made from recycled scrap metal at the famous Medebar Market, including coffee pots, decorative animals, candle holders, and miniature vehicles. Each piece is one of a kind.
Price: $5-40
Where: Medebar Market, Northeast Asmara
Tigrinya Silver Jewellery
Traditional silver necklaces, bracelets, and earrings featuring geometric patterns and crosses representing Eritrean Orthodox Christian heritage. Crafted by local silversmiths using centuries-old techniques.
Price: $15-80
Where: Asmara Central Market jewellery section, shops near Al Khulafa Mosque
Eritrean Coffee Ceremony Set
Traditional clay coffee pot (jebena), small handleless cups (finjal), and incense burner used in Eritrea's elaborate coffee ceremony ritual. Sets come in decorative painted clay or plain terracotta.
Price: $20-60
Where: Asmara Central Market, souvenir shops on Harnet Avenue
Woven Mesob (Food Basket)
Colourful conical woven basket traditionally used to cover injera and serve communal meals. Crafted from dried grass and palm leaves dyed in bold geometric patterns unique to each region.
Price: $10-35
Where: Keren Monday Market, Asmara Central Market
Asmara Art Deco Prints
High-quality photographic prints and hand-drawn illustrations of Asmara's iconic Fiat Tagliero Building, Cinema Impero, and Harnet Avenue. Popular lightweight souvenirs produced by local artists.
Price: $8-30
Where: Souvenir shops near Fiat Tagliero Building, Harnet Avenue bookshops
Berbere Spice Mix
Eritrea's essential spice blend combining chilli, fenugreek, coriander, and other aromatic spices used in the stew-like wot dishes. Sold by weight in the market, ranging from mild to fiery.
Price: $3-12
Where: Asmara Central Market spice section, Keren market
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Asmara Central Market (Biassa)
The sprawling main market of the capital where locals buy everything from fresh produce and spices to textiles, jewellery, and household goods. Divided into distinct sections by product type with a lively atmosphere.
Where: Central Asmara near Harnet Avenue
Hours: Mon-Sat 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Medebar Market
A unique recycling market where artisans transform scrap metal, tyres, and discarded materials into functional objects and decorative pieces. Equal parts workshop and market with craftsmen working in open stalls.
Where: Medebar District, Northeast Asmara
Hours: Mon-Sat 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Keren Monday Market
Eritrea's most famous weekly market where highland tribes converge to trade camels, goats, and livestock alongside fresh produce, spices, woven goods, and local crafts. An extraordinary cultural spectacle.
Where: Central Keren, 91 km northwest of Asmara
Hours: Mondays only, 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Massawa Fish Market
Lively waterfront market where Red Sea fishermen sell the morning catch alongside dried fish, sea shells, and fishing equipment. The authentic coastal atmosphere makes it as much a sightseeing experience as a market.
Where: Waterfront, Massawa Old Town
Hours: Daily 6:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Asmara Souk (Eastern Market)
Traditional Arab-influenced bazaar selling incense, perfumes, prayer items, spices, and imported goods. The atmosphere is distinctly different from the Italian-influenced centre, reflecting Eritrea's Muslim heritage.
Where: Eastern Asmara near Al Khulafa Mosque
Hours: Mon-Sat 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Harnet Avenue
Asmara's iconic palm-lined UNESCO-listed avenue lined with Italian-era cafes, bookshops, souvenir stores, and fashion boutiques. A pleasure to browse on foot with grand Art Deco architecture as backdrop.
Best for: Souvenirs, books, clothing, cafes, photography
Biassa Market Area
The dense commercial quarter radiating from the Central Market offering everything from fresh food to electronics, textiles, and traditional crafts. Prices are lower here than on the main avenue.
Best for: Everyday goods, textiles, spices, budget shopping
Sematat Avenue
Asmara's secondary commercial street featuring banks, pharmacies, travel agencies, and mid-range retail shops. Less touristy than Harnet Avenue with more practical everyday shopping options.
Best for: Practical goods, electronics, pharmacies, money exchange
Medebar District
Industrial quarter of Asmara where craftsmen work in open workshops producing metal goods, furniture, and repairs. Unique opportunity to see traditional craftsmanship and buy direct from makers.
Best for: Unique metalwork, handcrafted items, artisan souvenirs
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Asmara Commercial Centre
Modest indoor shopping complex near the city centre offering clothes, electronics, household goods, and a few food vendors. The closest Asmara has to a Western-style mall, though much smaller in scale.
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Harnet Avenue Arcade
A colonial-era arcade connecting shops between Harnet Avenue buildings, housing boutiques, a pharmacy, travel office, and small cafes. Beautiful original Italian tiled floors and arched ceiling.
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is expected at markets like Biassa and Keren but not in formal shops on Harnet Avenue or hotel boutiques
Start at around 60% of the asking price and expect to settle around 70-80% — vendors rarely drop below this
Be friendly and patient; aggressive haggling is considered rude and counterproductive in Eritrean culture
Buying multiple items gives genuine leverage to negotiate a better bundle price
Prices at Medebar Market are usually fair given the skilled craftsmanship — a small tip on top of agreed price is appreciated
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Antiques and archaeological items cannot be exported without a permit from the Ministry of Culture. Military items and anything depicting military installations is prohibited. Check latest customs rules on entry.
Tax Refund: No VAT refund scheme exists for tourists in Eritrea. Prices paid are final.
Duty Free: Tourists may import up to 1 litre of spirits, 2 litres of wine, 200 cigarettes, and personal effects duty-free. Excess currency above $5,000 USD must be declared on entry.
Shipping: International postal service is unreliable and very slow from Eritrea. Valuable purchases are best carried personally. DHL has a limited office in Asmara for business shipping.