When to go · Eritrea
Eritrea in January
Good month. Dry and sunny in Asmara, warm and pleasant in Massawa. Genna and Timkat bring church festivals.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Crowds
- Low
- Eritrea
- Prices
- Medium
- Eritrea
Verdict
Dry and sunny in Asmara, warm and pleasant in Massawa. Genna and Timkat bring church festivals.
Is another month better than January?
No other month rates higher than January for Eritrea in this guide.
Weather in January
- Central highlands · Asmara, Keren, Mendefera, Dekemharebest weather
Spring-like days (20–25 °C (68–77 °F)) and cold nights; short rains around April and the main rains in July–August.Spring-like days (68–77 °F (20–25 °C)) and cold nights; short rains around April and the main rains in July–August.
- Red Sea coast · Massawa, Dahlak islands, Assabfine
Rain falls in winter on the coast; from May to September temperatures pass 40 °C (104 °F) with heavy humidity.Rain falls in winter on the coast; from May to September temperatures pass 104 °F (40 °C) with heavy humidity.
- Eastern escarpment · Filfil, Nefasit, Ghindarainy
Catches both rains: green and misty in winter when the plateau is dry.
- Western lowlands · Barentu, Agordat, Tesseneyfine
Hot savannah; near the Sudan border and mostly under advice against travel.
- Asmara23 °C (73 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 1 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 1 rain days
- Keren26 °C (79 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 1 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 1 rain days
- Massawa30 °C (86 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 5 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 5 rain days
- Nakfa23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 2 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 2 rain days
- Senafe24 °C (75 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 1 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 1 rain days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
New Year's Day
1 Jan
Public holiday.
Leddet (Orthodox Christmas)
7 Jan
Church services and family gatherings.
Timket (Epiphany)
19 Jan
Processions in Asmara and highland towns.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Eritrea
- Low
- Prices · Eritrea
- Medium
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Eritrea, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Good
Feb: Good
Crowds
Jan: Low
Feb: Low
Prices
Jan: Medium
Feb: Medium
Festivals listed
Jan: 3
Feb: 1
January: Dry and sunny in Asmara, warm and pleasant in Massawa. Genna and Timkat bring church festivals.
February: Still ideal for both highlands and coast; Fenkil anniversary in Massawa (10 Feb).
Eritrea: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast