Addis Ababa

Understand

While Ethiopia is regarded as the original home of humans, and there has been several earlier settlements in the region, Addis Ababa was founded only in 1886 by King Menelik II and Queen consort Taytu Betul. Since then, Ethiopia has gone through a lot of events that have left a mark on the city, such as two cathedrals built to commemorate victories over Italians, sites where emperors lived and worked, monuments to them, and a memorial museum to the victims of the red terror during the Derg regime. The museums of the city lets visitors experience much older times too – indeed you can see a replica of the hominoid Lucy at the national museum. In addition, the restaurants and cafés of the city let you sample Ethiopian cuisine, its famous coffee and the national drink tej. There are more than 120 international missions and embassies in Addis Ababa, making the city a hub for international diplomacy concerning Africa. The headquarters of the African Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) are both in the city. The European Union and the United States both have two delegations in Addis Ababa, one for bilateral relations with Ethiopia and one for the African Union. The city is divided into ten boroughs, known as subcities, then further divided into wards (kebeles). Suburbs include Shiro Meda and Entoto in the north, Urael and Bole (home to Bole International Airport) in the east, Nifas Silk in the south-east, Mekanisa in the south, and Keraniyo and Kolfe in the west. Many of the wealthiest people live in the southeast (Bole), southwest (old airport), CMC, Ayat and Lamberet parts of town. The city is one of the first in Sub-Saharan Africa to have rail based public transit. The light rail system built with Chinese help is often credited with a rapid change of connected parts of the city. The Corridor Projects have upgraded many trunk roads to international standards, with street lights, bicycle lanes, and bus stops. These projects have also been associated with large-scale relocation of residents and shops.

Climate

Addis Ababa features a subtropical highland climate (Cwb), a variety of the temperate oceanic climate, with wet summer (comparable to Mexico City). The average highs are between 21 °C (70 °F) and 25 °C (77 °F), the average lows between 7 °C (45 °F) and 11 °C (52 °F). The warmest months are February to May, but not "hot" as people imagine Africa; most hotels do not have air-conditioning. Temperatures and climate can vary due to elevation. Addis Ababa has 132 rainy days per year and records 1,165 mm (45.9 in) of rainfalls annually. Tem

Getting there

By plane

1MISSING WIKILINK Addis Ababa [Bole International Airport (ADD IATA) is the busiest airport in East Africa. It is the main hub for Ethiopian Airlines. There are two terminals. Terminal 1 (the older, smaller one) is for all domestic flights and most flights to cities in neighbouring nations (Djibouti, Nairobi, Khartoum, etc.). Terminal 2 (the newer 2003 building) is for all other international flights of Ethiopian Airlines and most other companies (arrangements may change so check first). Terminal 2 is said to be the largest terminal in sub-Saharan Africa. There are ATMs accepting Visa and Mastercard and forex services taking a wide range of currencies. There are several Ethiopian ticket offices in Addis; including the main one at Churchill Road near the Ethiopian National Theatre and another one in the Hilton Hotel. By regulation, foreigners must pay in US dollars at these offices as well.

By car Most of the major roads are in good condition:

From Asmara and Dese: Highway 1 From Axum and Bahir Dar: Highway 3 From Djibouti and Nazret (Adama): Highway 4 From Gambela National Park and Gambela: Highway 5 From Jimma and Giyon: Highway 6 Trans-African Highway 4 from Cairo and Bahir Dar passes through Addis Ababa en route to Nairobi and Cape Town.

By bus

Terminals 2 Autobus Tera (አውቶቢስ ተራ የረጅም ርቀት ባስ መናኸሪያ) (corner of Fitawrari Habte Giyorgis St and Central African Republic St / Somalia St, on the north-west side of Mercato). This is the main bus terminal where most of the national buses arrive and depart. (updated Feb 2020) 3 Ras Mekonin Avenue (near the railway station). Buses from Adama (Nazret), Bishoftu, Dire Dawa, Nairobi, Lalibela, Shashamane, Hawassa and Bahir Dar are or were here. July 2011 - Ras Makonnen - or La Gare - closed and moved to the Akaki Kality District on Sierra Leone St (Debre Zeit Rd). (updated Feb 2020) 4 Asco. Buses from Nekempte and beyond arrive at Asco on the old Ambo Road. (updated Feb 2020)

By train

A railway line connects Addis Ababa with the port city of Djibouti, via Dire Dawa. Journey time is about 6.5 hours from Dire Dawa, a mandatory overnight stay and another 12 hours to Addis. As of 2024 there is a train every second day.

5 Addis Ababa Furi-Lebu railway station. This impressive station is almost 20 km (12 mi) south of the city center, far away from anything. Taking a taxi is the best option, expect up to 45 minutes for a trip to the central city. (updated Jun 2019)

Getting around

Very few streets have names and those that do may not be named correctly on a map; use landmarks to navigate the city.

By bus Blue and white minibuses Blue and white minibuses/taxis travel quite efficiently around town. Since they are full with people most of the time, it is very cheap too; usually between a few birr depending on how far you are going. To catch a minibus, stand on the side of the road and hail it. This can be done anywhere it is possible for the bus to stop. The conductor inside will call out the destination, and if that's where you want to go: get on. You pay the conductor when he signals to you that he wants money (which might take a few minutes). To get change. To get out say "woraj alle", or just "woraj". It is worth having an Ethiopian guide with you if it is your first time using these taxis, since it can be quite chaotic to find out what minibuses go where, and from what places. Orange/yellow public buses These buses connect the whole city for a fare of 0.5–3 birr (2016). There are no schedules or maps available, however if you wait on a major street where a crowd gathers you can ask other people or the cashier – which is always in a cabin at the back door – for your destination. Line 31 for example is a convenient line from Meskel Square to the National Museum or Trinity Church. The buses are often overcrowded, so watch your belongings.

By taxi

Uber does not operate here yet, but there are a number of locally-available alternatives. Ride is by far the most popular ridehailing app, but other alternatives include local competitors Feres, Taxiye, and international entrants Little and Yango. An Ethiopian phone number is required to use the apps. Make sure that the plate numbers match before getting in, and that the driver starts the trip on the app before departure. Competition is fierce, so feel free to shop around for the best deal before calling for a vehicle. Payment is usually done in cash, but you can register a credit card on the app and pay through it as well. For safety reasons, it's not advisable to just hail a cab on the street unless you speak Amharic, but if you do choose to hail a taxi on the street try to get one outside major hotels, office buildings or other landmarks where taxis congregate. Taxis have red license plates and are colored yellow, sometimes with stripes or other distinguishing designs depending on the company. Major taxi companies include Five Star Cab and Zé-Lucy Meter Taxi. Drivers usually accept trips without looking at the origin and destination, and will call you as soon as they accept your

See

If you walk along the road from Meskel Square to Sidist Kilo (6 Kilo), you'll probably find it quite entertaining and interesting. You'll see the Africa Hall, the palaces and the Parliament building, the Hilton Hotel, the marvellous architectural adventure of a building hosting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Sheraton Hotel, the first modern school (which Emperor Menelik II built in the 1880s), the Trinity Orthodox cathedral, the National Museum, and the Addis Ababa University (which hosts a former palace and museum). Arat Kilo (4 Kilo) Avenue is marked by a statue built in commemoration of the Ethiopian day of victory during the Second World War, while Sidist Kilo Avenue is marked by a statue commemorating some 39,000 residents of Addis Ababa killed by Italian fascist troops. Around Arat Kilo, you will find part of an old town known as Serategna Sefer (literally, the residential area of labourers). If you go past Sidist Kilo, the road becomes steeper and many of the attractions will be on the right side of the road. The Entoto college (previously Teferi Mekonnen School) and the US Embassy are on this side of the street. After the Embassy there's an open market called Shiro Meda where traditional craftsmen sell their homemade fabrics, pots and other craftwork. The marketplace is at the foot of the Entoto Mountains, which rise up to 3,300 m (10,827 ft) above sea level. You can take a taxi or a bus to the mountain unless you are of a mind to try it yourself. On the mountain, you will find the first churches of Addis Ababa, called Saint Mary and Saint Raguel, and a smaller palace of Menelik II. Walking the mountain, especially between the churches, is refreshing and gives the chance to see rural life, the city, forest and unbelievably beautiful landscape intersected by farmlands and farmers trails. It is from here that Menelik II and Queen Taitu conceived the establishment of Addis Ababa. You can get a sense of the city plan by viewing the city from here.

Museums

1 Addis Ababa Museum, Bole Rd / Airport Rd / Africa Ave (near Meskel Square). Tu–F 08:30–12:30, 13:30–17:30; Sa 08:30–11:30. Focuses on artefacts and exhibits from Addis Ababa. The building was once a palace where Ras Biru Habte-Gabriel, a former Minister of War, resided. 2 Ethiopian Railway Museum, Yima Dernisse Street (La Gare), ☏ +251 11 111 2343. In the old French-built railway station of the city. There is no formal office within, but you can see 1930s carriages and locomotives on display outside. There is also a restaurant and a cafe. Much of the area around the station are under co

Do

1 Hager Fikir Theatre, John Melly St, Piazza district. The oldest theatre in Ethiopia. 2 Jan Meda Race Ground. Event venue, not just used for horse racing but other events too. A large religious event taking place here every year on January 19 is Timkat, celebrating the baptism of Jesus. 3 Bihere Tsige Recreation Center (Bihere Tsige Public Park). Green area in southern Addis, bisected by the Akaki stream. 4 Addis Ababa Golf Club. 18 hole golf course with a restaurant. 5 Entoto Mountain (እንጦጦ) (north side of the city). Walk from St. Mary church, the first church of Addis, and St Urael church and see the city from the top of the mountain. 6 Yewedale, Zewditu St, Kazanches. Performances by traditional azmari minstrels. 7 BailAmor Dance Group, Juventus Sports Club, Jomo Kenyatta St, ☏ +251 91 130 1260. Pick up some dance lessons in salsa and bachata here so that you can impress the world later. Stop by at one of the small (5-7 people) coffee spots / rooms to taste local coffee with tenadam (rue) and have a conversation with locals who hang out there. You can find many of those along the main streets. Price should not be more than 5 birr. Oftentimes you can have local food there too.

Buy

1 The mercato. M-Sa. (Italian for market, as the main covered market still in use dates from the colonial administration of the late 1930s) is the largest outdoor market in the world, and you can get anything from tourist goods (t-shirts, wood crafts, etc.) to fabric to metal goods there. Haggling and bargaining are standard procedure, and foreigners (especially those of European ancestry) should expect to be charged higher prices. To ensure a positive experience, maintain a sense of humour, don't be afraid to negotiate aggressively, and above all don't let yourself be bullied by the many "brokers" who frequent the market, and will try to steer you towards certain stores in exchange for a kick-back from the merchant. You will be able to negotiate lower prices if you can avoid brokers, and especially if you have a local friend or guide to buy things on your behalf. 2 Shiromeda Market (Between Sidist Kilo & Mt Entoto). If the madness of Mercato isn't for you, Chiromeda is a pleasant alternative. Haggling and bargaining is still the status quo, but you could walk away with a traditional dress from as cheap as 100 birr. 3 Friendship Hypermarket (Bole Road (airport end)). Well-stocked western-style supermarket, and they accept Mastercard and Visa. 4 Edna Mall (closed for refurbishment), Cameroon St, Bole Medhanealem area (in front of Bole Medhanealem Cathedral), ☏ +251 11 661 6874 (Info), +251 11 661 6278 (Cinema). Contains a large book store, and Ethiopia's only 3D multiplex cinema "Matti Multiplex" (three screens), which plays both Amharic and English-language films. Western films typically are shown within a week to a month of their U.S. release, though occasionally they may operate on European release schedules. The centre of the mall features an arcade zone and an indoor amusement park with carousel, pinballs, bull-riding, climbing tubes, 3D cinema, and bumper cars; it's a fun place for small children, but really crowded on the weekends and holidays. Include several restaurants. Also located nearby are several dance clubs. As of February 2026 the inside is closed for refurbishment but a few outdoor dining establishments are open. (updated Sep 2024) 5 Dembel City Center, Bole Rd, Olompia area, POBox 9517 (the yellow Bldg on Bole Rd), ☏ +251 11 552 6304, +251 11 552 5267, +251 11 515 1035, +251 11 554 7824, fax: +251 11 551 9460, [email protected]. Build around 2000, the mall clam 105 stores and a total surface of 8,000 square metres (86,000 sq ft), with numerous jewellery. (updated Aug 2017) 6 Getu Commercial centre. 7 Piassa Shopping centre (Elia

Eat

Food is generally cheap. Make sure you try the national dish injera at least once, since there is no other food like it. It is a yeast-risen flat bread with a unique, slightly spongy texture. It is traditionally made out of teff flour. In making injera, teff flour is mixed with water and allowed to ferment for several days, as with sourdough starter. As a result of this process, injera has a mildly sour taste. It's what the locals eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Most ordinary Ethiopian restaurants have it, and a serving for 2 people with free refills can be as cheap as 15 birr.

Budget

Addis has hundreds of cake and coffee cafes. They sell various coffees, tea - black unless you ask for "machiatto" - and sometimes fruit juices. There are also juice beits. The cafes along Bole Road and around the Piassa area are of a high standard and relatively inexpensive. Most are very similar to each other. Most cafes serve the common drink called 'sprice juice' (fruit pulp served in layers in a glass). There are usually three layers from a selection of avocado, mango, papaya, banana, guava etc. The juice is eaten with a spoon. It is colourful and tastes delicious. Single fruit juices are also great, such as orange, papaya, mango, and pineapple - beautifully fresh. 7 birr up to 25 birr in Hilton.

1 Purple Cafe (City Cafe on Bole), Africa Ave. has delicious cakes and pastries as well as high quality Ethiopian espresso coffees or machiattos. You can sit on the porch and watch the activity on one of the main roads in Addis. 2 National Cafe (National Theater Menafesha), at the end of Churchill Ave (in the National Theatre building). Reasonable prices and good food. From injera to club sandwich. 3 Finfine Restaurant (Near Filwuha), ☏ +251 11 551 47 11. open daily. Ethiopian restaurant, vegetarian menu available. 10-20 birr. (updated Feb 2020) 4 Yohannes Kitfo Bet (Kassanchis Road behind Bekelesh Kitfo Bete), ☏ +251 91 152 8876. open daily. Ethiopian restaurant with outdoor seating. 10-20 birr. (updated Feb 2020) Restaurants that do not have an English menu are cheaper. Example: Connection between Bole Road and Tele-Bole, next to Bole roundabout, at NOC-Fuelstation, close to German Kantine. You can have lunch (local food, spaghetti) for less than 20 birr. If you don't have a translator, ordering is a lot of fun.

Mid-range

5 Antica, off Cape Verde St / EU Rd, Bole (in the residential area just behind the Sudanese restaurant, near Desalegn hotel). Decent pizza, and one of the only delivery services available in Addis that does not require bulk orders. Pizza ten

Drink & nightlife

The national drink of Ethiopia is 'tej', which is brewed from honey. You can also try 'tela' which is similar to beer. In addition to places listed below, some of the hotels in Sleep have a bar.

1 Black Rose Lounge, Boston Bldg, Bole Rd (above the Boston Day Spa). The energetic atmosphere is dark yet comfortable and fashionable, and the bar serves a variety of drinks. Live jazz jam session every Th night. 2 Dome Club (The Dome Famous Club), Debre Zeyit Rd (Hotel Concorde). Sticky and dark, more of a dive bar/club. 3 Gaslight. Fancy nightclub at the Sheraton. Inside it feels like an upscale Western disco. Don't wear jeans or trainers/sneakers, as they have a fairly strict dress code. Although there is no entrance fee, be prepared to pay heavily for drinks. 4 Illusion (Club Catch), cnr Ras Desta Damtew St & Itegue Taitu St (under the Ambassador Theatre). Dance till 05:00. Very crowded on weekends, yet that adds to its charm. 5 Beemnet (between Hilton Hotel and). Restaurant by day, bar by night, usually with a great DJ and fun dance scene. (updated Apr 2024) Kaldi's Coffee, ☏ +251 11 371 4258. This is a coffee shop similar in many aspects to Starbucks. Kaldis has 22 locations around the city and sells a variety of products including coffee, tea, burgers, sandwiches, fruit juice and pancakes.

Sleep

Budget 1 Addis Guest House, Djibuti St. The restaurant at Addis Guest House run by an American raised Ethiopian named Yonas serves a good selection of Western foods including great French toast for breakfast. It is worth the trip just to meet Yonas who may be the best tour guide you can find in the city. 2 Itegue Taitu Hotel, St between Cunningham St and Dejazemach Jote St, Piazza area, Arada subcity, ☏ +251 913 803224, +251 929 308230, +251 963 979797. Rooms are mostly clean and have good and large beds. Good value for money, very quiet. Only toilets and shower are in despicable condition. The main building is the oldest stone-building in Addis, and the hostel is the first hotel in Ethiopia: it was built by Empress Taitu Betul around 1906. In late 2019 it was impossible to book this hotel through their website -you need to ring them. There is a large restaurant and nice outside cafe. Vegan lunch buffet for 105 birr every day (2020). The toilets in the restaurant are excellent. The buffet is something of an institution and popular with locals and tourists (updated Jul 2020) 3 Baro Hotel, Mundy St (Piazza and across from Wutma Hotel), ☏ +251 11 155 1447, +251 11 157 4157, fax: +251 11 553 7439, [email protected]. One of the cheapest options in Piazza. Small restaurant on site but very limited and expensive food selection. Old decor and cramped, but decent value. Accept Visa without commission. They might not confirm your booking until you arrive. (updated Jul 2020) 4 Wutma Hotel, Mundy St (Piazza and across the Baro Hotel). Some good and clean rooms, some not so much, so have a look first. Restaurant downstairs that often has UK Premier League and other foodball games on a big screen with lots of locals coming to watch, so expect noise. (updated Jul 2020) 5 Mad Vervet Backpackers Hostel, BL-03-552 Street Hayahulet, ☏ +251 923577808, [email protected]. 15 minutes drive from the airport. 6-bed dormitory rooms have en-suite bathroom. Free WiFi. Bar. Restaurant. Shared kitchen. $10 dorms, $17 privates. Rates negotiable. (updated Nov 2025)

Mid-range

6 Beer Garden Inn. Near the airport, its menu specialises in German delicacies such as cheese noodles and grilled chicken washed down with wheat beer. A half litre costs 11 birr. 7 GT Guest House, Sierra Leone St (a mile from Mesqel Sq), ☏ +251 922 451639, [email protected]. Provides accommodation for business, leisure travellers, families and groups. 8 Martin's Cozy Place-German Guesthouse (near the Atlas and almost opposite the side of the hotel). Popular for business people or expats based i

Go next

Adama and Sodere some 120 km to the southeast are popular weekend destinations for locals. The latter is famous for its hot springs. Adama is accessible by bus and train, from there minibuses go to Sodere. Awash National Park, 200 km to the east by road, is a world heritage site where some of the earliest human remains have been found. It's also a good place to see hyenas, and another highlight is the Awash waterfalls. Bahir Dar is 550 km to the north, Ethiopia's third largest city and accessible by bus, car or plane. It's next to Lake Tana, and famous for churches and monasteries on islands in the lake as well as the Blue Nile Falls. From there you can continue to other destinations in Northern Ethiopia such as Gondar and Lalibela. Dire Dawa is an 11-hour train ride east along the new railway to Djibouti (you can fly here too). It's the only other chartered city in the country. A highlight here is Emperor Haile Selassie's Palace. Further 54 km away from Dire Dawa is the world heritage listed ancient city of Harar, regarded as Islam's fourth holiest city. Melka Awash, with the world heritage listed Paleolithic Melka Kunture excavation sites. Tiya, the "Stonehenge of Africa" is a world heritage listed ancient burial grounds, 90 km to the south. Accessible by car or bus. Minibus vans depart from Kality Menaharia, take the route that goes to Butajira and get off at Tiya. Note locals may not know Tiya, don't get sold the wrong ticket that goes to Ziway. Ziway, 162 km south is on the shore of an eponymous lake which is home to many species of birds. It's one of the Rift Valley lakes, and if you travel some 40 km further south, there are more lakes with birds in the Abijatta Shalla Lakes National Park. Accessible by car or bus. Nairobi as of May 2026, Abyssinian Luxury Coach goes directly to Nairobi. However, they seem to be not officially sanctioned by the government and have neither ticket office nor credit card payment system (only remitly/m-pesa/sendwave) or presence on Guzo.et booking site. WhatsApp +254 102838952. A more commonly used land route is bus (Selam bus, Africa bus) to Moyale, Ethiopia, cross border on foot thru Moyale One Stop Border Post (OSBP), then take separate Kenyan bus for Nairobi. As of May 2026, tickets for Selam bus (3900 birr) or Africa bus (3800 birr) can be bought in their ticket office shacks at St. Estifanos Church (9°00'44.9"N 38°45'47.6"E, up the stairs in front of the church, turn left, look for corrugated iron shacks!), cards not accepted, cash/QR only. Do not expect their listed phone contact to be functional. Nearby "Comme