Central
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia’s capital: museums, markets and the birthplace of many a coffee ceremony.
Central Ethiopia
Tiya
Engraved stelae, a rock-hewn church and stone tools 1.7 million years old, south of Addis Ababa.
Overview
About Tiya
At Tiya, stelae engraved with swords and symbols mark old graves; the field has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980. A short way north, Adadi Mariam is a church carved down into the rock, the southernmost in the Lalibela style.
At Melka Kunture, on the upper Awash River, early humans made stone tools from about 1.7 million years ago. The site museum shows hand axes and obsidian from the river terraces.
- Region
- Central
- Best time
- All year
Highlights
What makes it worth the journey
Highlights
- The Tiya stelae field
- Adadi Mariam rock-hewn church
- Melka Kunture museum and excavations
- The Awash River gorge
Things to do
- Walk the stelae field with a guide
- Step down into Adadi Mariam
- See hand axes at Melka Kunture
- Combine with the Gurage highlands
Plan your visit
Before you go
Best time to visit
All year; driest October to May
Getting there
By road south of Addis Ababa towards Butajira, about two hours.
Getting around
By vehicle, with short walks at each site.
Good to know
- Shoes come off inside Adadi Mariam.
- The road south crosses areas under official travel warnings; check our current briefing before planning.
Gallery
A look at Tiya
Photos: Unsplash
Keep exploring
More places to see
Central
Central
Rift Valley Lakes
Crater lakes and lakeside lodges, a short drive south of Addis Ababa.
Central
Bishoftu
Volcanic crater lakes an hour from Addis Ababa, and the Irreecha gathering at Lake Hora.
Let us plan your Tiya trip
Tell us when you want to travel and what you love. A local specialist will reply with a suggested plan and a clear price.