Southern Ethiopia
An hour from Addis, just over the Awash River, is the Melka Kunture prehistoric site, where many stone tools and fossils, dating back 1.8 million years,…
Must-see attractions in Ethiopia
Harar
In the centre of Ras Makonnen Sq stands a rather Italian-looking, equestrian statue of the ras (duke) cast in bronze by the well-known Amhara artist…
Eastern Ethiopia
Twice a year, tens of thousands of pilgrims converge on the little town of Kulubi and its hilltop cathedral, Kulubi Gabriel, built by Ras Mekonen to thank…
Aksum
On the way to Abba Pentalewon you’ll pass Abba Liqanos (men only), which was supposedly built by one of the Nine Saints and boasts excellent views. But…
Mekele
From a distance, this memorial to the victims of the Derg could be mistaken for the world’s biggest golf ball and tee. From up close it’s another story,…
Addis Ababa
Unless you've a particular interest in Ethiopia's animals and birdlife, this is more a case of rainy day tourism. Go eye to eye with a bloated leopard –…
Addis Ababa
The octagonal Entoto Maryam Church hosted Menelik’s coronation, but sadly for a church of such historical significance, the only time you can catch a…
Western Ethiopia
The remains of an Italian military plane shot down by the Black Lion Patriots in 1935 proudly sits in front of the Wolega Museum. Inside, displays give a…
Bahir Dar
Two-and-a-half kilometres south of the Martyrs Memorial, northeast of town, is Bezawit Hill. Its summit holds a former palace of Haile Selassie, which isn…
Bahir Dar
Just past the bridge is a large Martyrs Memorial Monument dedicated to those who died fighting the Derg. Its fountain cascading down to the Blue Nile is…
Mekele
The Italian-designed stone palace built for Emperor Yohannes IV (r 1872–89) is now an interesting museum. Although the palace itself is undergoing a…
Rock-hewn Churches of Tigray
This ancient site is little more than a barely accessible archaeological dig, but it's an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to the 7th-century…
Aksum
A rather ugly tin-roofed hut in this central park holds a stone with identical text to King Ezana’s Inscription, but it’s in poorer condition and in a…
Northern Ethiopia
Gorgora was a hard-fought prize during the Italian occupation and on the way into town you’ll pass Mussolini’s stele, high on a hill, which commemorates…
Harar
You don’t come to this place below Mikael Church for the graves, but for the excellent views of the old town from the road below them. Photography is best…
Harar
Said Ali Hamdogn was an important 12th-century religious leader. His whitewashed tomb can easily be visited; it looks a little like a miniature mosque…
Eastern Ethiopia
Shallow Lake Chelekleka, 2km west of the main roundabout, is a birdwatcher favourite, and lesser flamingos as well as pelicans and various species of…
Aksum
The animal market, south of town, is one of the biggest in the north. It’s ripe with donkeys, goats, sheep and cows, but no camels. These are only sold…
Addis Ababa
This rather dusty museum has the usual collection of royal garments, valuable coins, ceremonial drums, poor lighting and bored-looking attendants, but…
Lake Tana & its Monasteries
Because most of the treasures of Mitsele Fasiladas (on an island just south of Tana Cherkos and a short walk from the landing) were stolen in the 1990s,…
Western Ethiopia
Located 5km southeast of Jimma off the road to Addis, the dam has some good birdwatching opportunities, but take the locals’ claims of hippos with a hippo…
Western Ethiopia
According to local tradition, Mt Menagesha (2800) is where many Ethiopian kings’ coronations were held. It’s best accessed from the Ambo road between…
Lake Tana & its Monasteries
The small island next door to Kebran Gabriel hosts the completely modern and, frankly, uninteresting Entos Eyesu, which offers the novelty of monks and…
Bahir Dar
There’s a one-table fish market in the mud-hut deacon’s village behind St George’s Church. The catch is brought in by tankwa in the morning and pelicans…
Southern Ethiopia
Awasa's most prominent landmark, this cylindrical monument lies on a large roundabout east of the main avenue. It is said to represent the leaf of the…
Western Ethiopia
St Maryam Church is Addis Alem's most interesting building. It stands out for its lavish decoration: the basilica’s exterior, as well as the maqdas (inner…
Southern Ethiopia
Though more a local resource centre than tourist attraction, there’s a pottery display (ask staff to unlock the rooms) and occasional special exhibitions…
Harar
Built by the Czechs in 1984 and purchased by Heineken in 2011, this is a very modern brewery. Tours are sometimes available in the morning – contact local…
Lake Tana & its Monasteries
Outside the gate to Ura Kidane Meret is the private Zeghie Satekela Museum, with a collection of household items displayed in a 300-year-old home.
Northern Ethiopia
If you’re a serious monastery lover, or just want to stretch your legs on the way to and from the palace, Angara Tekla Haimanot's current church was built…
Lalibela
Downstairs at the ticket office, the uninspired museum displays the usual church items. It's an obligatory stop, but any time spent here is merely…
Western Ethiopia
About 1km from Guder on your way to Nekemte, after crossing the river, you’ll see a gate for Guder Falls. It isn’t spectacular, but is worth a peek in the…
Eastern Ethiopia
If you’ve got time to kill, explore the livestock market, about 3km south of the bus station. Go early if you want to see camels, since they tend to sell…
Lake Tana & its Monasteries
Just uphill from Bete Maryam, Bete Giorgis is being rebuilt from scratch following a fire. Its small museum, with an important collection of crowns, is…
Harar
At the eastern end of the old town, Erer Gate was the one Richard Burton entered in 1854, disguised as an Arab merchant. The chat market is found here.
Western Ethiopia
The Italians lorded it over Gambela for five years from 1936, long enough to build a fort; remnants of the fortifications can still be seen from the…
Addis Ababa
The unremarkable new church on this site is far less interesting than the reconstructed original, complete with Aksumite architectural traces, alongside…
Harar
This attractive gate to the north is the site of a colourful market. A chat market, one of many in the city, is also found here.
Harar
On the east side of Feres Megala is this rather unimpressive cathedral, built by Ras Makonnen in 1890 on the site of an Egyptian mosque.
Harar
This modest museum across the road from Ras Makonnen’s Palace hosts household artefacts, traditional costumes, weapons and jewellery.
