Massawa

Massawa, or Mitsiwa, is an Eritrean town located on the Red Sea coast. It was a significant port for many years and was ruled over by many regimes. In fact, it was once the capital of Eritrea until the 1900s when Asmara became the seat of power.
Though the city suffered damages during Eritrea's war for independence, many remarkable sites can still be enjoyed here. Massawa's Moorish part of town called Batse features beautiful Egyptian, Turkish, and Italian buildings. And at night, the bars and restaurants in Massawa come to life.
The town is also the ideal jump-off point for expeditions to the Dahlak Islands and for diving trips. A short trip north of the city, visitors will find the white-sand beaches of Gurgusum. Here, tourists can enjoy a day under the sun swimming or sailing.
For tasty meals in Massawa, the Eritrean Restaurant is the best. It offers international and local fare that are inexpensive. Then there's also the Salaam, a fish restaurant located in the old part of town.