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Major city · Eritrea

Massawaማሳዋ

Spend 2 days in Massawa: explore the old‑town island, snorkel at Green Island and relax on Gurgusum Beach.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Massawa is Eritrea’s Red Sea port with a compact historic island, nearby snorkeling islands and a modest beach. Two days cover the main sights and a day trip to Green Island; longer stays are only for beach‑or‑diving enthusiasts.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
ERN
Best months
Nov–Mar
avoid Apr–Oct (very hot, limited water supplies)
Airport
MSW
Nights
2

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Massawa: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
  • Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
  • Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
  • East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
  • East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
  • East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
  • Eritrea ↗A visa must usually be arranged before travel through an Eritrean embassy or with a pre-approval letter obtained by a local agent (check); arrival without prior arrangements is generally not possible.
  • Eritrea ↗Foreign visitors need a free travel permit from the tourism office in Asmara for any trip outside the city; allow a working day and carry several photocopies for checkpoints.
  • Eritrea ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention for the lowlands and whether a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for your route.
  • Eritrea ↗Foreign cards and ATMs do not work for visitors: bring the whole trip's budget in clean US dollars or euros, declare it on arrival and keep every official exchange receipt.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Massawa113 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Massawa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Ottoman‑style coral architectureSnorkeling and diving around Green IslandRed Sea fish cuisine
Airports
MSW Massawa International Airport (No scheduled flights (mid‑2023); charter or private arrivals only (check).)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    33°C (91°F)

  4. Apr

    Avoid

    35°C (95°F)

  5. May

    Avoid

    36°C (97°F)

  6. Jun

    Avoid

    38°C (100°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    40°C (104°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    40°C (104°F)

  9. Sep

    Avoid

    38°C (100°F)

  10. Oct

    Avoid

    35°C (95°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    33°C (91°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

Best: Nov–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Oct. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (40°C (104°F)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F) low), wettest Jan (5 rain days), driest Jun (1). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Massawa: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

30°C (86°F)

20°C (68°F)

5 rd

Feb

31°C (88°F)

21°C (70°F)

5 rd

Mar

33°C (91°F)

22°C (72°F)

4 rd

Apr

35°C (95°F)

24°C (75°F)

3 rd

May

36°C (97°F)

25°C (77°F)

2 rd

Jun

38°C (100°F)

27°C (81°F)

1 rd

Jul

40°C (104°F)

28°C (82°F)

1 rd

Aug

40°C (104°F)

28°C (82°F)

1 rd

Sep

38°C (100°F)

27°C (81°F)

2 rd

Oct

35°C (95°F)

24°C (75°F)

3 rd

Nov

33°C (91°F)

22°C (72°F)

4 rd

Dec

31°C (88°F)

21°C (70°F)

5 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Walkable islands (Tualud, Oldtown) and causeways; taxis or hired cars to Gurgusum Beach (≈14 km north); charter boats for Green Island (≈20 min).

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Green Island

go

Door to door: ≈30 min total

Charter boat from Tualud Island; about 20 min ride

Snorkeling and beach; bring water, food and sunscreen.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Corallo Hotel

Air‑conditioned, central on Tualud Island; basic rooms.

Central Hotel

Air‑conditioned, central on Tualud Island; modest rates.

Dahlak Hotel

Air‑conditioned, Tualud Island; offers boat trips to Green Island.

Red Sea Hotel

Air‑conditioned, Tualud Island; simple amenities.

GB Hotel (Gurgusum Beach)

Beachfront on mainland; air‑conditioned rooms, showers.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
₤15–25
Mid
₤25–40
High
₤40+

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Basic hotel room2 × 2 nights × ERN 1,800ERN 7,200
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ERN 2,500ERN 10,000
Charter boat to Green Island (round‑trip)2 × ERN 3,500 · checkERN 7,000
Taxi to Gurgusum Beach (one way)2 × ERN 800 · checkERN 1,600
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeERN 2,580
Trip total≈ ERN 7,100 per person per day, bed includedERN 28,380

2026 estimate in ERN; flights and permits excluded.

Prices of common things

Red Sea fish plateapprox. 30–50 ERN₤15–25
Coffeeapprox. 10–15 ERN₤5–8
Taxi (city centre to airport)approx. 40–60 ERN₤20–30
Boat charter to Green Islandapprox. 60–100 ERN₤30–50

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Massawa is generally safe for tourists who stay in known hotels, avoid night travel on unlit streets and keep valuables secured.
  • No regular flights to MSW – plan entry via Asmara airport.
  • Travel permit required for visits outside Asmara; obtain in Asmara.
  • Sun protection essential; sunscreen expensive and often expired.
  • Mosquitoes prevalent Nov–Feb; bring repellent and net.

Emergency numbers

Police
113
Ambulance
114
Fire
116

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

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Massawaማሳዋ

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

እባክህ ወደዚህ አድራሻ ይደርሱTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police113
  • Ambulance114
  • Fire116

Embassy

US consulate in Asmara (check address); other embassies in Asmara.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Taxi Massawa → Gurgusum Beach: about ₤20 (≈40 ERN), 14 km (8.7 mi), 15 min
  • Charter boat Green Island (round‑trip): about ₤30–50 per person, 20 min each way

Say or show

  • ይቅርታ — Excuse me / Sorry (yǝk’ǝrta)
  • ኣመሰግናለይ — Thank you (amäsegənäy)
  • ትንሽ እንዴት ነው? — How much is it? (tǝnǝsh endet naw?)
  • ካርድ እትችል ይርዳል? — Can I pay by card? (kard itǝčǝl yǝrda?)
  • ቤተሰብ የት ነው? — Where is the toilet? (bätesäb yät naw?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Massawa. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Nov–Mar · avoid Apr–Oct (very hot, limited water supplies) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 5 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 1 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Add a boat charter for Green Island to the Massawa itinerary.
  2. Include a day‑trip to Gurgusum Beach for a mainland beach experience.

Meanwhile

Back to Eritrea

Sources

Ask about Massawa

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