Updated Jan 26, 2026
KEY STATS
564K
Population
12,158 km2
Area
84 Mbps
Internet
UTC+03:00
Timezone
ASM (6km)
Airport
OVERVIEW
Asmara captivates with its UNESCO-listed Art Deco architecture, a frozen snapshot of Italian colonial elegance in Eritrea's highlands. Cool highland breezes and vibrant markets draw explorers, and digital nomads enjoy solid internet cafes in this Eastern African city that's refreshingly walkable.
QUICK FACTS
Country
Eritrea
Region
Eastern Africa
Population
564K
Timezone
UTC+03:00
Currency
ERN
Language
Arabic
Status
Capital City
Airport
ASM
GPS
15.34, 38.93
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Tech
84 Mbps internet — adequate for most digital work
History
Founded in 1897, with 129 years of history
Connections
Asmara has 5 sister cities worldwide
Travel
ASM airport just 6 km from the city center
INFRASTRUCTURE
487 total POIs 0.0 per km²
Above avg per capita
Average
Below avg
Food & Drink
Restaurants
62
Cafes
39
Bars
37
Fast Food
6
Shopping
Supermarkets
8
Convenience
1
Shopping Malls
1
Healthcare
Hospitals
7
Clinics
1
Pharmacies
7
Education
Schools
35
Universities
2
Libraries
2
Recreation
Parks
60
Playgrounds
1
Sports
7
Cinemas
7
Museums
1
Theatres
1
Transport
Bus Stops
7
Train Stations
5
Fuel Stations
26
Services
Banks
8
ATMs
1
Post Offices
1
Police
12
Fire Stations
1
Source: DropThe Database | dropthe.org
INTERNET SPEED
84 Mbps
Download
8 Mbps
Upload
345ms
Latency
76
Tests
23
Devices
2025-Q4
Last updated
CLIMATE
15°
J
15°
F
16°
M
16°
A
17°
M
18°
J
18°
J
18°
A
17°
S
16°
O
16°
N
15°
D
18-28 C ideal
Warm/Cool
Extreme
Year avg: 16.3 C Range: 14.7 - 17.9 C Rain: 692 mm/year Sunshine: 3,832 h/year
CITY SCORES
91.8
Nomad Index
B
Livability
44.1
Culture
66.6
Overall
AIRPORT
ASM
Asmara International Airport
6 km from center
Very close — ~9 min ride
FUN FACTS
Asmara ( əs-MAHR-ə), or Asmera, is the capital and most populous city of Eritrea, in the country's Central Region.
It sits at an elevation of 2,325 metres (7,628 ft), making it the sixth highest capital in the world by altitude and the second highest capital in Africa.
In 2017, the city was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved modernist architecture.
Asmara first rose to prominence during the 20th century, when it became capital of Italian Eritrea.
Under Italian rule the city of Asmara experienced rapid urbanization and modernization, to the point that was called Piccola Roma (Little Rome).
EXTERNAL LINKS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Asmara known for?
Asmara captivates with its UNESCO-listed Art Deco architecture, a frozen snapshot of Italian colonial elegance in Eritrea's highlands. Cool highland breezes and vibrant markets draw explorers, and digital nomads enjoy solid internet cafes in this Eastern African city that's refreshingly walkable.
How fast is the internet in Asmara?
Asmara has an average download speed of 84 Mbps and upload speed of 8 Mbps, based on Ookla speed test data.
What is the weather like in Asmara?
Asmara has an average year-round temperature of approximately 16.3 degrees Celsius.
What airport serves Asmara?
Asmara is served by ASM (Asmara International Airport), approximately 6 km from the city center.
What is the population of Asmara?
The population of Asmara is approximately 564K.
What infrastructure does Asmara have?
Asmara has 487 mapped points of interest, including 62 restaurants, 7 hospitals, 35 schools.
What country is Asmara in?
Asmara is located in Eritrea.
