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Cinema Impero

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Cinema Impero

Cinema Impero

Cinema Impero is an Art Deco theater located in the center of Asmara. Built in 1937 during the period of Italian colonial rule, the building serves as an example of the modernist architecture that characterizes the city. Travelers visit the site to observe the specific geometric lines and structural style of the Italian colonial era.

Getting There

The theater is situated in the city center. Because it is centrally located, it is accessible by foot from most downtown hotels and main plazas. Depending on your starting point within the central district, the walk typically takes between 5 and 15 minutes.

Duration of Visit

Since the primary interest is the architectural exterior and the building's presence within the streetscape, allow approximately 30 to 60 minutes for a visit.

When to Visit

The site is best viewed during daylight hours to clearly see the architectural details of the facade. Asmara has a temperate climate year-round due to its altitude, making any season suitable for a visit. The area is a central hub, so expect typical city traffic and pedestrian activity during business hours.

Nearby Attractions

The theater's location allows for easy combination with other architectural and religious sites within walking distance:

  • Church of Our Lady of the Rosary (0.3km)
  • Great Mosque of Asmara (0.3km)
  • Enda Mariam Coptic Cathedral (0.5km)
  • Asmara Cinema-Teatro (0.5km)

Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

Admission prices and opening hours change often, so we don't list them here. Check what's on sale and at what price below — booking ahead can cut the queue at some places.

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Stays near Cinema Impero

Sorted by distance, walkable ones first. Distances are straight-line.

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Cinema Impero Nearby stays

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Itineraries including this place

Day trip

Asmara 1-Day Itinerary (0 Nights)

A 1-day route through Asmara grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

1 nights, 2 days

Asmara 2-Day Itinerary (1 Nights)

A 2-day route through Asmara grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

Good to visit alongside

Church of Our Lady of the Rosary

Temples & religious sites

Church of Our Lady of the Rosary

This Catholic church was built in the center of Asmara during the 1920s, in the era of Italian Eritrea. With its grand Lombard Romanesque exterior, it is often called "the cathedral" and has served as Eritrea's leading church.

0.3 km away
Great Mosque of Asmara

Temples & religious sites

Great Mosque of Asmara

This mosque stands in the center of Asmara, Eritrea, and is one of the city's landmark buildings. Built in 1938, it is notable for its exotic exterior.

0.3 km away
Enda Mariam Coptic Cathedral

Temples & religious sites

Enda Mariam Coptic Cathedral

An Eritrean Orthodox cathedral in downtown Asmara, easy to stop by while strolling through the city.

0.5 km away
Asmara Cinema-Teatro

Culture & venues

Asmara Cinema-Teatro

This theater was built in 1918 to a design by an Italian architect and also served as an opera house. Renovated in 1936, its Italian-style architecture can still be seen today.

0.5 km away
Kidane Mehret Cathedral, Asmara

Temples & religious sites

Kidane Mehret Cathedral, Asmara

A Catholic cathedral in downtown Asmara, Eritrea, belonging to the Archdiocese of Asmara. It's a good place to explore local religious culture, inside and out.

0.6 km away
Cinema Roma

Culture & venues

Cinema Roma

This theater building in downtown Asmara dates from the Italian colonial era. Strolling the UNESCO World Heritage-listed streets, visitors can admire its distinctive modernist architecture.

1.0 km away