Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital city, is a vibrant, bustling hub that offers a unique blend of African and European cultures, rich history, and stunning architecture. With over 4 million residents, Addis Ababa is a city that is full of life, energy, and a never-ending list of things to see and do. Check out these top 7!
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Visit St. George’s Cathedral
Ethiopia is filled with a diverse array of religions; however, most Ethiopians practice some form of Christianity. Christianity was adopted as the national religion in the fourth century. Saint George’s Cathedral is an Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Addis Ababa. The cathedral is noted for its distinctive octagonal form. The cathedral itself is fascinating to visit, plus there is a small museum on the grounds where you will see various ceremonial pieces.
According to Ethiopian Orthodox tradition, believers follow both old and new testament law. For instance, before entering the cathedral one should remove their shoes as God instructed Moses at the burning bush. Ethiopian Orthodox churches also contain an inner sanctum similar to the Holy of Holies in the temple. Only priests may enter the area behind the curtain where a replica of the Ark of the Covenant is contained.
You will typically see believers wearing white when practicing their religion. I was fortunate to find singers present during my visit. It was the Lent season so they were not using any drums or other instruments but there were carrying prayer sticks. It was beautiful to see them at song and prayer. Religion and spiritual beliefs greatly impact Ethiopian culture, so I definitely recommend a visit to St. George Cathedral when you visit Addis Ababa.
Check Out Campus Life, a Palace, & More at the Ethnological Museum
The Ethnological Museum of Ethiopia is located in the heart of the city on the grounds of Addis Ababa University. The gates to the University are both beautiful and imposing. This is because they were once actually the gates to the royal palace. Upon entering the gates you will see students enjoying beautiful green spaces as they walk and rest between classes.
Upon entering the former palace, you will view a pictorial history of the university and learn of its mission to preserve the nation’s heritage. The museum itself houses over 13,000 manuscripts, icons, paintings, crosses, and other items dating from the early Aksumite period to the near present.
Be sure to walk through the royal suite of rooms during your visit. When I mentioned that it was nice of the King to donate his palace and grounds to the university, my guide said, “Do not worry. There are plenty of palaces in Ethiopia!” This museum is very different from the National Ethiopian Museum. If you only have time to visit one, I recommend the Ethnological Museum hands-down!
Explore Mount Entoto Park
Visit Mount Entoto Park to gain a sweeping view of Addis Ababa and the surrounding countryside. This scenic park is located just outside the city and is a wonderful place to grab a lungful of eucalyptus. You will notice the refreshing scent as soon as you start your way up the hill to the park.
The overlook at the top of the hill offers great views of both the city and the surrounding mountains. Mount Entoto Park isn’t just a popular place for tourists, it is where the locals come to play and relax. This is a peaceful escape from the crowded city center. Take a leisurely walk along the park’s trails, enjoy a picnic, and take in the views.
Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral
The Holy Trinity Cathedral is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. This stunning cathedral, built in the early 20th century, is the resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie I and his wife, Empress Menen. Walk around the cathedral grounds, admire the stained-glass windows, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this beautiful place.
Tour the National Museum of Ethiopia
The National Museum of Ethiopia is home to some of the country’s most important historical and cultural artifacts. This museum is best known for housing the remains of Lucy, one of the earliest hominid species known to humankind. So, if you are into evolution, this is the place for you.
If you are more like me and not so into Darwinism, the museum is still worth visiting. You’ll also find a fascinating collection of Ethiopian art, manuscripts, and cultural objects that tell the story of the country’s rich history and heritage. If you only have time for one museum, then I recommend the Ethnological Museum instead, but this one is also worth visiting and doesn’t take very long to see.
Explore the Street Scene and Merkato
There is so much to see throughout this bustling city. Don’t get so caught up in running from place to place that you miss the interesting art installations throughout the city. And definitely don’t miss the interesting methods of transporting goods and services from place to place!
The Merkato is the largest open-air market in Africa. Here, you’ll find a bustling hub of commerce where vendors sell everything from textiles, spices, and handicrafts to electronics and household goods. Stroll through the market and haggle for souvenirs. But, beware of pick-pockets and stay in groups of 2-3 (or take your guide with you). The market is open every day, but it’s busiest on weekends.
Addis Ababa has many vibrant and lively neighborhoods. Take time to check out as many as you can. No matter which areas of the city your visit, enjoy the bustling atmosphere of this colorful place.
Enjoy the Food and Dance
Ethiopian cuisine is a rich and flavorful fusion of ingredients, spices, and cooking styles. From spicy stews like “doro wat” to the sour injera bread (like sourdough bread), Ethiopian food is characterized by its bold and savory flavors. Looking for a fork? Don’t bother. That is what the injera is for! Just scoop the food up with your injera for a true Ethiopian experience. There are several amazing places to eat in Addis Ababa!
Don’t be surprised if your guide suggests a vegan restaurant or entree. As mentioned above, many Ethiopians practice the Ethiopian Orthodox religion. As such, they fast 180 days a year. This means they only partake of one meal a day and do not consume any animal or animal products at all. This may sound tough to some, but I quite enjoyed the vegan buffet my guide and I visited.
Ethiopia is famous for its music and dance traditions. Attend a performance of traditional dances such as the Ethiopian coffee ceremony dance, the shield dance, and the shoulder dance. Performances can often be combined with dinner or another meal. These performances showcase the vibrant, energetic spirit of Ethiopia, and provide a fitting end to an unforgettable trip to Addis Ababa.
How to Get Around Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is not an easily walkable city. It can be done, but I don’t recommend it. There are blue and white mini-busses available for public transport, but it is best to avoid these unless you are very familiar with the city. The best way to get around Addis Ababa is with the ride hailing app Ride or to take a guided tour.
Guided tours of the city are extremely affordable. You can join a group tour for as low as $25 but you can also get a full day private tour for just over $100. The beauty of the private tour is that you can spend time doing the things you most want to do instead of waiting for 20 strangers to board the bus. Here are some great tour options for Addis Ababa.
- Full Day Tour of Addis Ababa with Hotel Pick-up and Drop-off
- Addis Ababa Half Day City Tour
- City Tour of Addis, Transit in Addis by Car
- Full-Day Private City Tour of Addis Ababa
- Ethiopian Food and Drink Culture – Free Airport & Hotel Pickup
- Ethiopian Cultural Dinner in Addis Ababa with LIVE Traditional Dance Show
- City/Airport Transfers-Addis Ababa
Where to Stay in Addis Ababa
There are several great places to stay in Addis Ababa. I highly recommend the Best Western Plus Addis Ababa near the airport. I don’t normally select airport hotels for a city tour, but the city center is only 3 miles from the airport making this location perfect.
This hotel is very reasonably priced (less than a Best Western in the US), but don’t let that fool you! It is much nicer than its US counterpoint. The staff is friendly and the amenities (including a complimentary airport shuttle) are great. Also, there is a lovely restaurant with live music in the evening and various shopping and dining venues just across the street.
The Heavenly Spa
The best feature of the Best Western Plus Addis Ababa is the spa! After a 6:30 a.m. arrival, the hotel kindly stored my luggage and allowed me to use the spa shower facilities free of charge so I could begin my tour fresh. Then, I had an 11:00 p.m. departure the following day, but my city tour ended at 5:00. Fortunately, the on-site massage therapist had an opening. I enjoyed a wondrous hour-long deep tissue massage followed by use of the shower, steam room, and relaxation room for the whopping charge of $13. It was nice to depart for my overnight flight relaxed and rejuvenated.
What Are You Waiting For? Get Packing!
Addis Ababa is a great place to spend a day (or twelve). Not only is the city a wonderful place to explore and discover, but there are several great day trips from Addis Ababa that you shouldn’t miss.
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