Adulis, Ancient city on the Red Sea
Adulis was an ancient port city on Eritrea's coast that served as a major trading hub connecting the Red Sea to the interior regions. The archaeological remains reveal the layouts of buildings, warehouses, and fortifications that demonstrate the importance of this harbor for moving goods across trade routes.
The city emerged during the Hellenistic period and later became the main port of the ancient Aksumite kingdom under Aksumite rule. It thrived until the Arab expansion in the 7th century, when its role in trade networks gradually diminished.
The site is located near Zula on the coast and can be explored with basic navigation skills. The remains are partly overgrown, so appropriate clothing and care when walking across the terrain are advisable.
The site preserves rare inscriptions in Greek and Ge'ez that reveal the multilingual connections of ancient trade. These writings document the cultural mixing between Greek, Aksumite, and local elements at this strategic crossroads.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
