Central Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s capital: museums, markets and the birthplace of many a coffee ceremony.
Overview
Addis Ababa sits at about 2,350 metres in the hills of central Ethiopia and is the country’s capital and its transport hub. Most journeys begin and end here.
Give it a day or two. The National Museum shows the remains of “Lucy”, one of the best-known early human ancestors; the Mercato is one of Africa’s largest open-air markets; and the city’s restaurants are the easiest place to start on Ethiopian food.
Highlights
Plan your visit
October to March, though the city is pleasant most of the year
Most international flights arrive at Bole International Airport, which is also the hub for Ethiopian Airlines’ domestic network.
Taxis and ride-hailing apps are common; the light rail runs north to south. Traffic can be slow, so allow extra time.
Gallery
Photos: Unsplash
Journeys
Addis AbabaHistorical
The city often called Africa’s capital, in one easy day: the emperor’s tomb, the hammering lanes of Merkato and the hill where Addis began.
Addis AbabaCultural
Walk beside the tabots to Jan Meda on the eve, then stand in the crowd at dawn as the blessed water falls.
Addis AbabaAdventure
Run or walk Africa’s biggest road race at 2,350 m on Sunday, then end the week at a Thanksgiving table in Addis Ababa.
Addis AbabaCultural
Candles, white shawls and Ge’ez chant through the night of 6 January, then a doro wat feast that ends a 43-day fast.
Addis AbabaCultural
A tower of poles and yellow daisies burns at dusk in Meskel Square; next morning its ash marks foreheads across the city.
Addis AbabaCultural
The week between the holidays in the Omo Valley and walled Harar, with New Year’s Eve dinner back in Addis Ababa.
Keep exploring
Central
Crater lakes and lakeside lodges, a short drive south of Addis Ababa.
Central
Volcanic crater lakes an hour from Addis Ababa, and the Irreecha gathering at Lake Hora.
Central
A monastery founded in 1284 on a cliff terrace above a gorge that drains to the Blue Nile.
Tell us when you want to travel and what you love. A local specialist will reply with a suggested plan and a clear price.
