Travel advisory · EritreaSome governments advise against all but essential travel to Eritrea.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Border areas within 25 km of all land borders · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, New Zealand, UK
- Ak'ordat · avoid non-essential travel · New Zealand, Spain
- Gash Barka · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Sudan border zone · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Teseney · avoid non-essential travel · New Zealand, Spain
Also named by one government: Areas north and west of Barentu (New Zealand), Nakh'fa (New Zealand), Barentu (Spain), Debub (Southern region) (Italy), Djibouti border zone (Spain), Eritrean territorial waters and ports (Italy), Ethiopia border zone (Spain), Outside Asmara (capital) (France), Southern Red Sea (Dancalia) (Italy)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | Advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Eritrea | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution | Jul 31, 2023 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid non-essential travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Von Reisen in alle anderen Gebiete Eritreas wird abgeraten (Reisen nur in Asmara und Umgebung ohne Warnung, Reiseerlaubnis nötig) | Oct 16, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Avoid non-essential travel | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Vigilance renforcée à Asmara et Massaoua (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Keren is a town in the Anseba region of northwestern Eritrea, the country's second-largest city after the capital, Asmara. It sits in the hills below the highlands, on a historic route toward Sudan, and grew into a market and crossroads town. Many of its older buildings and street layouts date from the Italian colonial period, so you will see Italian-style facades alongside local houses.
Keren is best known for the Battle of Keren in February and March 1941, when Allied forces fought the Italian army in the surrounding hills, and for its market, where traders and villagers from the area come to buy and sell. A stay of one to two nights gives you time to see the town and nearby sites at an easy pace. The cooler months, roughly late autumn to spring, suit walking and day trips best. Entry rules for Eritrea change, so confirm visa and travel requirements before you book anything.
Keren in five
- Get your visa before you travelMost visitors need a visa, and it must be in place before you arrive. Apply through an Eritrean embassy or consulate that covers your country, and allow time for it.Visas and entry
- Carry cash in nakfaBring enough nakfa for the trip. Change money only at official banks and licensed exchange offices.Money and costs
- Check mobile data before you rely on itSignal can drop outside the main town. Download offline maps before you leave, and tell someone at home where you are going.Phones and eSIM
- Arrange a driver for the roadCheckpoints are common on roads between towns. Book the car and driver through your host or a tour operator before you arrive.Tours and tickets
- Ask before you take photosPhotographing military sites and government buildings is restricted. Ask before you photograph people, and keep the camera down near checkpoints.
Things to do in Keren
See all attractions in Keren
Need to know
- Currency
- Nakfa (ERN)
- Entry
- Visa required for most passports; arrange it before you travel
- Emergency
- Not verified here; ask your embassy or hotel for local numbers
- Tipping
- Not covered here; ask your host or hotel
- Time
- UTC+3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCool, dry
- FebruaryDry, mild
- MarchWarming
- AprilHot, dry
- MayHot
- JuneRains begin
- JulyRainy season
- AugustRainy season
- SeptemberGreen, clearing
- OctoberClear, mild
- NovemberCool, dry
- DecemberCool, dry
Right now in Keren
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
20
- Feels like
- 18°
- Humidity
- 58%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Keren
01:38 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°15°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 30°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed31°15°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 31°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu30°14°2%Thursday: Fog. High 30°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri30°13°2%Friday: Fog. High 30°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat31°15°2%Saturday: Clear. High 31°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sun32°15°4%Sunday: Clear. High 32°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 4%.
Updated 11:37 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 15 ERN
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Asmaraby road from KerenThe capital, with its Italian-era buildings and cafés, is the main city to compare with Keren.
Before you go to Keren
Rules for Keren, checked
- Visas are required for most visitors. Check with the Eritrean embassy or consulate that covers your country before you apply.
- Photographing military sites, airports and government buildings is restricted. Ask before you photograph people in Keren.
- Carry your passport and visa at all times. Checkpoints are common on roads between towns.
- Use only official banks and licensed exchange offices for nakfa.
Plan around Keren
Entry, roads and planning across the country
Read the guideVisas and entryHow to apply before you travel to Eritrea
Read the guideMoney and cashCarrying nakfa and paying in cash
Read the guideGetting aroundRoads between towns and arranging a driver
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels and guesthouses in Keren and nearby towns
Read the guidePhones and eSIMMobile coverage and offline maps for the trip
Read the guideKeren FAQ
Is Keren worth visiting?
Yes, if you want a slower Eritrean town than Asmara. Arrange your transport and lodging before you go.
How do you get to Keren?
Usually by road from Asmara. Arrange the trip through your host or a tour operator before you go.
How many days do you need in Keren?
One to two nights is enough for the town and a nearby day trip. Add a day if you plan to travel slowly on the roads.
What should I wear in Keren?
Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, in town and at religious sites. Bring a light layer for cool evenings.
Can I visit Keren on a day trip from Asmara?
Possible, but the road is a long one and leaves less time in town. Stay one night if you want to walk around slowly.