Keren
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The UK Foreign Office currently advises against travel to all or parts of Eritrea. This guide is for a safer time. Check the latest travel advice.
At a glance
- Country
- Eritrea
- Region
- Anseba
- Population
- 120,000
- Best time to go
- October to April
- Main airport
- None — nearest is Asmara International (ASM)
- Coordinates
- 15.78°N, 38.45°E
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Overview
Keren is Eritrea's second city, a green market town ringed by rocky mountains, a few hours north-west of Asmara. Several of the country's peoples meet here, and its markets mix languages, dress and goods.
The town is best known for its Monday livestock market and as the site of a major Second World War battle in 1941. It is quiet and unhurried, and worth a day or two on a future trip, once travel to Eritrea is easier.
Things to see
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Photo: David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada, CC BY 2.0 Monday livestock market
Camels, cattle and goats change hands in a dusty field on the edge of town, with traders haggling from early morning.
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Photo: Mheidegger, CC BY 4.0 Keren War Cemetery
A peaceful Commonwealth cemetery for soldiers who died in the 1941 Battle of Keren, kept in careful order.
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Photo: SBereket, CC BY-SA 3.0 Mariam Dearit
A small shrine to the Virgin Mary set inside the trunk of an old baobab tree, a short walk outside town.
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Photo: Unknown author Unknown author, CC BY-SA 4.0 Central market
Covered stalls selling silver jewellery, spices, baskets and fruit from the surrounding gardens.
Things to do
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Drive from Asmara
The road north drops off the plateau through hairpin bends and dramatic mountain scenery.
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Photo: ProtoplasmaKid, CC BY-SA 4.0 Coffee ceremony
Accept an invitation to the slow ritual of roasting, grinding and brewing coffee over charcoal.
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Photo: Marco Fera, CC BY-SA 3.0 Walk the fruit gardens
The fertile valley around town is full of irrigated orchards growing citrus, bananas and papaya.
Where to stay
Town centre
Simple hotels within walking distance of the markets and main street.
Hotels in Town centreAsmara
Many visitors come for the day from the capital, with more choice of places to stay.
Hotels in Asmara
Getting around
Keren is small and easy to walk, with taxis and horse-drawn carts for short trips.
Buses and shared taxis run from Asmara, around three hours by road.
When to go
Keren is lower and warmer than Asmara. October to April is the most comfortable, while the summer months bring heat and the rains.
Plan your trip to Keren
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.