Addis Ababa
is Africa's political centre
is colourful celebrations
Welcome to Addis Ababa
Since its establishment in the 19th century, Addis Ababa (አዲስ አበባ) has always seemed like a magical portal, a gateway to another world. For the rural masses of Ethiopia it was, and is, a city whose streets are paved in gold; for a foreign visitor, the gateway of Addis Ababa is at the verge of an ancient and mystical world. And yet, Addis – Africa’s fourth-largest city and its diplomatic capital – is also a traffic-choked, sprawling city of no discernible beauty that many foreign visitors try to transit as quickly as possible. But take note: by skipping out on the contradictions of this complex city you run the risk of failing to understand Ethiopia altogether. And apart from anything else, Addis is the best place in the country to sample Ethiopian food, and has some wonderful museums and places to stay.
Top experiences in Addis Ababa
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Addis Ababa activities
Debre Libanos Monastery and Nile Gorge from Addis Ababa
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Entoto Hill, Addis AbabaEntoto is where Addis Ababa was first established. From almost 3,300 meters altitude, the Hill provides a spectacular views of the vast parts of Addis Ababa.Duration: 15 minutesStop At: Entoto Maryam Church, Addis AbabaYou will drive by the historic Entoto Church, which in its compound has the first church in/around Addis Ababa. It is a tranquil church with typical ancient architecture of Ethiopian Churches.Duration: 15 minutesStop At: Debre Libanos Monastery, Debre Libanos, Oromiya RegionFounded by Ethiopian Saint Abune Tekle Haymanot, within a steep riverine canyon in 1284, Debre Libanos later became the political centre of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and is where Emperor Lebna Dengal received the first Portuguese mission to Ethiopia in 1520. The Italian army destroyed the original church in a 1937 massacre that claimed the lives of 800 monks, deacons and lay worshippers. The modern church, its domed roof decorated with stained-glass windows, remains an important pilgrimage site. Duration: 1 hourStop At: Portuguese Bridge, Debre Libanos, Oromiya RegionAlthough the locals believe the stone-arch Portuguese bridge was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, it was actually built in the 1890s by Ras Darge in the old Portuguese style. The narrow span makes a spectacular picture and the gushing (in the rainy season) cascade just below it is very impressive.Duration: 1 hour
Addis Ababa City Tour
The tour starts with a pick up from Bole International Airport or at your hotel, and drive to Trinity Cathedral Church which has unique architectural style. Then, you will be taken to the National Museum of Ethiopia for visiting the long age history of Ethiopia and the oldest human ancestor, Lucy. After lunch, we will go to the ethnographic museum and admire the country's different nationalities cultural materials. Finish the tour with shopping in Merkato, the local marketplace which is said to be Africa’s largest open-air market.
Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Adadi Mariam, Addis AbabaAt Adadi Mariam, visit the unique still functional church which was carved out of a single piece of rock in the 13th Century AD by the famous King LalibelaDuration: 3 hoursStop At: Tiya World Heritage Site, Tiya, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's RegionAt Tiya World Heritage Site, visit about 40 huge stone grave markers erected in memory of local heros between the 12th to the 14th Century AD.Duration: 3 hoursPass By: Melka Kunture, Addis AbabaIf time allows, visit the archaeological site of Melka Kunture
Lalibela Rock Churches Guided Tour
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Highland Eco Trekking Tours Ethiopia, Lalibela, Amhara RegionThe tour company Duration: 15 minutesStop At: Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Lalibela, Amhara RegionA guide from our team will meet you at Lalibela airport arrival with a car to bring you to your Hotel. The drive from the Airport to Laibela town (your hotel) would be 24 k/m, and takes around 30 minutes.After check-in, start your tour to the UNESCO World Heritage site rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, visiting the Northwestern Cluster of churches, which is built by the symbol of the earthly Jerusalem:-Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael & Bet Golgotha (entry not permitted for Women).From 12 - 2pm the churches are closed and the key -man will go for lunch break.We also will take you to one of the best restaurant for lunch (7olives Hotel).In the afternoon, after lunch continue with the South-eastern Cluster of churches, built by the symbol of heavenly Jerusalem:–Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos.Finally, you will visit the most famous of all the churches –Bet Giyorgis (St George), constructed in honour of the patron Saint George.After having visited all the churches, we take you to the villages where you will be able to see the way life of the locals very closely, and get invited for our famous traditional coffee ceremony.In the Evening after dinner in Kana restaurant, we will invite you to try our famous home-made Honey wine, in one of the best traditional bar we have in town called Torpido. There you will also have the chance to see the Amhara tribes dance and enjoy our traditional music live. Then we bring you to your hotel.Next day morning transfer to the airport.* If you arrive in the afternoon in Lalibela, you will visit some of the churches from 2pm -5pm, then visit the rest of the churches before your departure to the airport. We also organize an amazing ECO trekking tour to the highlands above Lalibela, Contact us for details or see our listed tour here on Tripadvisor Experience Duration: 1 dayStop At: Church of St. George, Lalibela, Amhara RegionThe famous cross shaped church of St. George is one of the highlight of Lalibela churches.Duration: 40 minutes
Addis Ababa Market Tour and Cooking Class plus Coffee Ceremony
Daniel and his wife Tigist are from the Oromia region of Ethiopia but love to cook dishes from around the country, so prepare to be served pan-Ethiopian cuisine. Tigist learned to cook helping her mother around the house as a child and ran her own kitchen after marrying Daniel, who has a master's degree in Social Anthropology and is a tourism professional - he has led trips around Ethiopia for over a decade! Daniel speaks perfect English and enjoys discussing diverse subjects from food and history to politics. He loves meeting people from different cultural backgrounds and sharing his rich heritage with them. They are blessed with three handsome boys who may join you during your experience if it's on a weekend. While the market is open on all days, Wednesdays and Saturdays are especially good for visits. Saturday is considered market day all over the country and the market teems with life and people. This is a unique opportunity to learn from locals and experience authentic Ethiopia with its traditions and cuisine - so join these great hosts and leave with a full stomach and new memories to share with your loved ones at home! If there is a particular dish you are interested in cooking, please include it in advance when making your booking.
Full-Day Private City Tour of Addis Ababa
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis AbabaLearn about the Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity by visiting the Holy Trinity Cathedral - one of the most important religious sites in Addis Ababa. Admire the beautiful window stained glass works, the unique architecture, see the tombs of Emperor Haile Sillassie I and visit the small museum.Duration: 1 hourStop At: National Museum of Ethiopia, Addis AbabaAt the National Museum of Ethiopia, see the fossil remains of Lucy (3.18 million years old) and some of the oldest stone tools human beings ever made and used. Learn about the historical and cultural background of Ethiopia and its people. Duration: 1 hourStop At: Entoto Hill, Addis AbabaDrive through the Eucalyptus forest to Entoto Hill (3,200 meters above sea level) to enjoy the panoramic view of Addis Ababa, for a LOCAL FAMILY VISIT and to attend TYPICAL ETHIOPIAN COFFEE CEREMONYDuration: 2 hoursStop At: Kiddus Raguel Church, Addis AbabaVisit the oldest church in Addis Ababa (140 years old) to see the beautiful hand painted colorful wall paintings as old as the church. Stop at the abandoned small rock church which was used 700 years ago.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Addis Mercato, Addis AbabaVisit Merkato - the biggest outdoor market in Africa. Walk at the Spice Market, Second-hand items market, handwoven basket market, and the recycling part of the market.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Meskel Square, Addis AbabaStop at Meskel Square - the main square in Addis Ababa which is named after a colorful religious ceremony of Meskel (finding of the True Cross of Jesus Christ)Duration: 10 minutesPass By: Lion of Judah, Addis AbabaDrive on the main streets of Addis Ababa to visit historical monuments such as the Lion of JudahStop At: Red Terror Martyrs Memorial Museum, Addis AbabaLearn Ethiopian modern history of 1974 - 1991Duration: 1 hour