Things to do in Addis Ababa
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Kaldi's Coffee
While lawyers may eventually kibosh Kaldi's Starbucks-like sign, logo, interior, uniforms and menu, thirsty expats dropping around Br14 for fabulous frappuccinos will ensure Kaldi's contagious coffee lives on.
reviewed
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Alert Handicraft Shop
There are shops that are a great way to support the city's hard-working less fortunate. At Alert Handicraft Shop, the Berhan Taye Leprosy Disabled Persons Work Group produce and sell beautiful items emblazoned with vibrant embroidery.
reviewed
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Former Women's Fuelwood Carriers Project
The Former Women's Fuelwood Carriers Project is a modest little shop, tucked about 300m west of Entoto Market and sells colourful hand-woven shawls.
reviewed
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Lime Tree
Tuck into a pita stuffed with tabouleh or falafel, or savour a chicken coconut curry. Its creative juices are thirst slayers.
reviewed
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Tomoca
Coffee is serious business at this old Italian Piazza café, where beans are roasted on-site.
reviewed
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Fendika Azmari Beat
This azmari beat rivals Yewedale and is only a few minutes' walk down the street.
reviewed
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Highlands of Ethiopia
15 days (Addis Ababa)
Combine a trek in the wild and stunning Simien Mountains with Ethiopia's historic sites.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$3,060 -
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St George Cathedral
Commissioned by Emperor Menelik commemorating his stunning 1896 defeat of the Italians in Adwa, the Piazza St George Cathedral was completed in 1911. The Holy of Holies' outer walls are covered in paintings and mosaics by renowned artists, like Afewerk Tekle. Also there is a museum which contains Ethiopia's best collection of ecclesiastical paraphernalia outside St Mary of Zion in Aksum.
reviewed
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National Museum
Although less visually stimulating than the Ethnological Museum, the National Museum is no less thought-provoking. Its collection ranks among sub-Saharan Africa's most important. The palaeontology exhibit contains two remarkable casts of 3.2-million-year-old Lucy, a famously-fossilised upright hominid discovered in 1974. Upstairs are some celebrated Ethiopian artworks.
reviewed
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Serenade
Tucked up a dark cobblestone alley in eastern Piazza is this magnificent Mediterranean eatery. Peruse the creative menu, laden with succulent treats like braised lamb with caramelized onions, lentils, lemon and raisin orange couscous. There are vegetarian delights and divine desserts.
reviewed
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Holy Trinity Cathedral
Off Niger St, the massive, ornate Holy Trinity cathedral is Ethiopia's second-most important place of worship. It's also the final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie and his wife. Their massive Aksumite-style granite tombs, complete with lions' feet, are a sight indeed.
reviewed
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Merkato
Wading into the market chaos known as Merkato, just west of the centre, can be as rewarding as it is exasperating. You may find the most evocative aroma wafting from precious incense. You may find your wallet stolen and stinky shit on your shoe.
reviewed
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Entoto Market
Interested in blankets or traditional clothing like a shamma (toga)? Head to these street stalls a few hundred metres north of Botswana St and the Spanish embassy. Unlike Churchill Ave or the Piazza, this is where locals shop.
reviewed
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Ethnological Museum
Set within Haile Selassie's former palace and surrounded by Addis Ababa University's beautiful gardens and fountains is the enthralling Ethnological Museum. The vibrant exhibition gives great insights into Ethiopia's rich cultures.
reviewed
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Dashen Traditional Restaurant
The soft lighting and intimate surrounds are perfect for your first awkward attempts at injera. It saved us from embarrassment after accidentally inhaling berbere - don't ask! It's off Itegue Taitu St.
reviewed
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Topia Tej Beat
Off Haile Gebreselassie Rd, tucked up an alley behind the Axum Hotel, this is Addis' top tej beat and the only one to serve pure honey tej. A small flask on an empty stomach had our heads spinning.
reviewed
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Addis To Zanzibar
57 days (ex Addis Ababa)
by Intrepid
Head on a guided gorilla trek at Ruhengeri, Search for Africa's Big Five in the Masai Mara, Taste Africa's delights on the spice island of Zanzibar, Meet majest…Not LP reviewed
from USD$4,010 -
Addis To Nairobi
24 days (ex Addis Ababa)
by Intrepid
See the villages of many different tribes, all coexisting in the Omo Valley Region , Take a game drive and look for lions in the Samburu National Reserve, Spot …Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,705 -
Ethiopian Highlands Northbound
21 days (ex Addis Ababa)
by Intrepid
Camp under a blanket of stars in the Ethiopian countryside, See the towering obelisks of Aksum, Get up to speed on modern Ethiopia in Addis Ababa, Cross the epi…Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,520 -
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Shangri-la Restaurant
An atmospheric place for tere sega (raw meat), which is available on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. There's an outdoor dining area and a cosy bar serving quality tej.
reviewed
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Habesha Restaurant
For a meal that looks as good as it tastes, come to this fashionable Bole eatery where serving is an art form. There's also live music and traditional dancing every night at 20:00.
reviewed
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Haileselassie Alemayehu
This shop sells a wide array of items, like paintings, baskets, icons, woodcarvings and traditional clothing. Thanks to fixed (and fair) prices, there's no hassle here.
reviewed
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Agelgil
Off Meskal Flower Rd, tucked down a dirt track next to the railway tracks, is this great option. There's live dancing and music every night (except Wednesday) at 19:00.
reviewed
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17 17
This local, atmospheric option is usually alive with action. The food isn't the best, but it's filling and cheap. Look for lights in a tree next to a well-lit butcher.
reviewed
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Addis Ababa Restaurant
Feeling like a neglected museum, this long-standing Piazza favourite continues to churn out great Ethiopian dishes and pure tej (it has its own brewery).
reviewed
