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Experience the best of Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, stands high on a plateau among eucalyptus-covered hills, with museums, markets, churches and African Union offices.

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At around 2,400 metres, Addis Ababa is one of the highest capitals in the world, laid out on the slopes of the Entoto hills. The National Museum of Ethiopia tells the story of human origins through Lucy, a 3.2-million-year-old partial skeleton found in the country in 1974, while the Ethnological Museum is housed in a former imperial palace. Holy Trinity Cathedral and Saint George Cathedral are important churches, and Meskel Square hosts large gatherings.

Merkato is among the largest open-air markets in Africa, its stalls spreading across many blocks. Up on Entoto, old churches and a view over the city are a short drive from the centre. South-east of the city, the crater lakes around Bishoftu are an easy outing, and the Rift Valley lakes, the carved stone pillars of Tiya and the Wenchi crater lake can be reached on longer trips.

Meals are shared from a single plate: spongy injera bread with stews called wat, minced beef kitfo, and tibs of fried meat; Orthodox fasting days bring excellent vegetable platters. Coffee, which originated in Ethiopia, is roasted and brewed in a ceremony with incense. October to February is the driest, sunniest stretch; the heavy rains fall from June to September.

  • 3 skip-the-line tickets
  • Free cancellation on 94% of experiences
  • 4.9 across the top 24

Top 10 attractions in Addis Ababa

See all 11 attractions
  1. Number 1

    National Museum of Ethiopia

    4.93k reviewsfrom $25
  2. Number 2

    Mt. Entoto

    4.93k reviewsfrom $46
  3. Number 3

    IES Ethnographic Museum (Addis Ababa University)

    4.91k reviewsfrom $50
  4. Number 4

    Holy Trinity Cathedral (Kidist Selassie)

    4.9820 reviewsfrom $57
  5. Number 5

    Entoto Maryam Church

    4.9664 reviewsfrom $56
  6. Number 6

    Meskel Square

    4.9632 reviewsfrom $31
  7. Number 7

    Menelik II Square

    5.0529 reviewsfrom $64
  8. Number 8

    Entoto Natural Park

    5.0508 reviewsfrom $34
  9. Number 9

    Zoma Museum

    5.099 reviewsfrom $80
  10. Number 10

    Red Terror Martyrs’ Memorial Museum

    5.036 reviewsfrom $75

Special offers in Addis Ababa

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Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.

Day trips from Addis Ababa

83

Landmarks and attractions in Addis Ababa

44

Guided tours in Addis Ababa

386

Walking and bike tours in Addis Ababa

5

Food and drink experiences in Addis Ababa

54

Outdoor and adventure activities in Addis Ababa

117

Nature and wildlife tours in Addis Ababa

40

Desert and safari experiences in Addis Ababa

11

Signature experiences in Addis Ababa

Go beyond Addis Ababa

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Questions about Addis Ababa

What is there to do in Addis Ababa?
We list 564 experiences in Addis Ababa. The largest groups are day trips (83), city tours (72), food tours (9), attraction tickets (6).
What are the top attractions in Addis Ababa?
Ranked by the experiences that visit them, the top attractions in Addis Ababa are National Museum of Ethiopia, Mt. Entoto, IES Ethnographic Museum (Addis Ababa University), Holy Trinity Cathedral (Kidist Selassie).
What is the most popular experience in Addis Ababa?
By number of traveller reviews it is "Full Day Tour of Addis Ababa with Hotel Pickup and Drop-off", rated 4.9 out of 5 from 570 reviews.
How long do tours and tickets in Addis Ababa take?
The typical experience in Addis Ababa lasts about 24 hours; the middle half run between 7 hours and 120 hours.
Can I cancel a booking in Addis Ababa?
The operator lists free cancellation on 95% of the 564 experiences we hold for Addis Ababa. The cut-off differs by experience and is shown on each product page before you choose a date.

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