Trip plan

A month in Addis Ababa

Addis as your home base, then the Rift Valley lakes, the old walled city of Harar by train, and the south by plane. Every trip out needs a check of your government's advice the week you go.

Days: 28 days
Places: 24
Your hotel: Ras Amba Hotel
Comfortable: >USD 90 a day

Play it on the map

ArrivalDay 1

Fly into AddisInt'l: T2 · Domestic: T1

Fly into Addis

Bole International Airport (ADD) is about 8 km from the centre and has two terminals, side by side: international flights use Terminal 2, domestic flights within Ethiopia use Terminal 1.

Fly into Addis

Land at Bole

Bole

Buy a SIM in the baggage hall, then book a ride in the app: the fare is shown upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

Time there: 15–30 min til de fleste hoteller

Local tip: Køb dit SIM-kort i bagagehallen, før du går ud.

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Landing i BoleSpring taxihajerne over: bestil en bil hos RIDE, Feres eller Yango i appen. 15 til 30 minutter til de fleste hoteller.Køb et SIM-kortTo netværk, begge solgt i lufthavnen mod fremvisning af dit pas. Sammenlign deres planer for besøgende.Veksl pengeKun banker og autoriserede vekselkontorer; veksling på gaden er ulovlig. Sammenlign dagens bankkurser.

Watch first · Indigo TravellerSådan rejser du i Etiopien: priser og sikkerhed

Take a ride to your hotel 25 min

Take a ride to your hotel

25 min

Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

RIDE, Feres, Yango

Take a ride to your hotel· 25 min

Your hotel · Mid-range

Ras Amba Hotel

Arat Kilo

A calm hillside hotel above Arat Kilo with views over the city, close to the museums and Piassa.

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Hvor du skal boBole er den nemmeste første base: tæt på lufthavnen, mad og kørsel.Betaling og drikkepengeKontanter i birr til det meste. Kort virker på store hoteller; telebirr og M-PESA virker næsten overalt.Kom rundt i byenRIDE, Feres og Yango virker; Uber gør ikke. Betal chaufføren kontant.

Take a ride to National Museum of Ethiopia 5 min

Take a ride to National Museum of Ethiopia

5 min

Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

RIDE, Feres, Yango

Take a ride to National Museum of Ethiopia· 5 min

Week 1

Meet Lucy at the National Museum

Arat Kilo

The 3.2 million year old skeleton everyone comes for, plus royal thrones and early art. An hour is enough.

Time there: 1–2 timer Small foreigner fee

Local tip: Lukket på nogle helligdage.

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Kom rundt i byenRIDE, Feres og Yango virker; Uber gør ikke. Betal chaufføren kontant.

Walk to Holy Trinity Cathedral 15 min

Walk to Holy Trinity Cathedral

15 min

Short and easy on foot. Keep your phone in a front pocket.

Walk to Holy Trinity Cathedral· 15 min

Week 1

Holy Trinity Cathedral

Arat Kilo

Haile Selassie's tomb and the city's grandest stained glass, a short walk down from the museum.

Time there: 1 time Visitor fee

Local tip: Klæd dig anstændigt; tag skoene af, hvor du bliver bedt om det.

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Kristne rejsendeEt af de ældste kristne lande, med næsten alle kirkesamfund: ortodokse, katolske, protestantiske og flere, plus gudstjenester på engelsk.

Take a ride to Yod Abyssinia 25 min

Take a ride to Yod Abyssinia

25 min

Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

RIDE, Feres, Yango

Take a ride to Yod Abyssinia· 25 min

Week 1 · evening

Dinner show at Yod Abyssinia

Bole

Music and dances from every region over a big shared platter, ending with a coffee ceremony. Book a table.

Dinner and show

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Mad og leveringHvad du skal spise og drikke, med billeder, og de apps, der leverer mad og dagligvarer til din dør.Betaling og drikkepengeKontanter i birr til det meste. Kort virker på store hoteller; telebirr og M-PESA virker næsten overalt.Kom rundt i byenRIDE, Feres og Yango virker; Uber gør ikke. Betal chaufføren kontant.

Watch first · Mark WiensDen ultimative etiopiske madtur i Addis Abeba

Day 2

Take a ride to Entoto Park 25 min

Take a ride to Entoto Park

25 min

Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

RIDE, Feres, Yango

Take a ride to Entoto Park· 25 min

Week 1

Entoto Park and Entoto Maryam

Entoto-bakkerne

Eucalyptus forest 3,000 m up: trails, viewpoints over the city and the church where Menelik was crowned. Bring a layer.

Time there: En halv dag Small fee

Local tip: Køligere og højere (omkring 3.000 m). Tag et ekstra lag tøj med.

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Kristne rejsendeEt af de ældste kristne lande, med næsten alle kirkesamfund: ortodokse, katolske, protestantiske og flere, plus gudstjenester på engelsk.VejretMildt hele året i 2.355 m højde. Store regnskyl fra juni til september; tørt og solrigt fra oktober.Kom rundt i byenRIDE, Feres og Yango virker; Uber gør ikke. Betal chaufføren kontant.

Take a ride to St George's Cathedral 25 min

Take a ride to St George's Cathedral

25 min

Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

RIDE, Feres, Yango

Take a ride to St George's Cathedral· 25 min

Week 1

St George's Cathedral

Piassa

The octagonal church where Menelik gave thanks for Adwa, with a small museum of crowns and paintings.

Time there: 45 minutter Small fee

Local tip: Gå en tur i Piassas gamle gader bagefter.

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Kristne rejsendeEt af de ældste kristne lande, med næsten alle kirkesamfund: ortodokse, katolske, protestantiske og flere, plus gudstjenester på engelsk.Kom rundt i byenRIDE, Feres og Yango virker; Uber gør ikke. Betal chaufføren kontant.

Walk to Tomoca Coffee 10 min

Walk to Tomoca Coffee

10 min

Short and easy on foot. Keep your phone in a front pocket.

Walk to Tomoca Coffee· 10 min

Week 1

A macchiato at Tomoca

Piassa

Roasting since 1953. Stand at the bar like the regulars and buy a bag of beans to take home.

Time there: 30 minutter From 40 Br

Local tip: Køb forseglede bønner med hjem.

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Mad og leveringHvad du skal spise og drikke, med billeder, og de apps, der leverer mad og dagligvarer til din dør.

Day 3

Take a ride to Unity Park 5 min

Take a ride to Unity Park

5 min

Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

RIDE, Feres, Yango

Take a ride to Unity Park· 5 min

Week 1

Unity Park

Arat Kilo

Menelik's palace grounds: the banquet hall, the old throne room, gardens and a small zoo. Closed on Mondays.

Time there: 2–3 timer USD 20, or 50 with the palace and a guide

Local tip: Tirs–søn, billetter kl. 9–16. Lukket om mandagen.

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Kom rundt i byenRIDE, Feres og Yango virker; Uber gør ikke. Betal chaufføren kontant.

Watch first · Wode MayaEtiopiens hovedstad er ved at blive forvandlet til en by i verdensklasse

Walk to Fendika Cultural Center 15 min

Walk to Fendika Cultural Center

15 min

Short and easy on foot. Keep your phone in a front pocket.

Walk to Fendika Cultural Center· 15 min

Week 1 · evening

Azmari night at Fendika

Kazanchis

Live azmari singers, traditional dance and Ethio-jazz in an art-filled house. Tip the singer if they sing about you.

Time there: Aften Entry and drinks

Local tip: Giv sangeren drikkepenge, hvis der bliver sunget om dig.

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Betaling og drikkepengeKontanter i birr til det meste. Kort virker på store hoteller; telebirr og M-PESA virker næsten overalt.Filmning og vloggingHvad du må filme, hvor kameraer ikke er tilladt, godkendelse af droner, og at spørge folk først.

Day 4

Take a ride to Meskel Square 10 min

Take a ride to Meskel Square

10 min

Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

RIDE, Feres, Yango

Take a ride to Meskel Square· 10 min

Week 1

Meskel Square and the riverside

Meskel Square

The city's huge public square, with fountains and new riverside paths below it. Bonfires light it up at Meskel in September.

Time there: 30 minutter Free

Local tip: Tæt trafik; vær forsigtig, når du krydser.

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Kom rundt i byenRIDE, Feres og Yango virker; Uber gør ikke. Betal chaufføren kontant.

Cycle to Friendship Park 10 min

Cycle to Friendship Park

10 min

Flat riverside paths, away from the traffic.

Cycle to Friendship Park· 10 min

Week 1

Bike the riverside to Friendship Park

Arat Kilo

The new riverside parks run from Meskel Square up to Friendship Park on flat, paved paths away from traffic. The calmest ride in the city.

Free

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Kom rundt i byenRIDE, Feres og Yango virker; Uber gør ikke. Betal chaufføren kontant.

Watch first · Wode MayaEtiopiens hovedstad er ved at blive forvandlet til en by i verdensklasse

Take the light rail to Merkato 10 min

Take the light rail to Merkato

10 min

A few birr a ride. Buy a ticket at the station window.

Take the light rail to Merkato· 10 min

Week 1

Merkato with a guide

Merkato

One of Africa's biggest open-air markets: spices, baskets, recycled metalwork. Go with a guide and keep your phone in a front pocket.

Time there: 2 timer Free; agree the guide fee first

Local tip: Tag af sted med en lokal guide; lad værdigenstande blive hjemme.

Directions

Guides til dette stop

IndkøbI indkøbscentre er priserne faste, på markeder forventes der prutning, og online er det Zemen Gebeya i telebirr. Betal aldrig, før du har fået varen.Ture og guiderAutoriserede rejsearrangører med lang erfaring, og hvordan du tjekker en guides licens, før du betaler.

Day 6

Drive to Bishoftu with a driver About 1 hour by road

Drive to Bishoftu with a driver

About 1 hour by road

Hire a trusted driver through your hotel or tour operator, and travel in daylight.

Drive to Bishoftu with a driver· About 1 hour by road

Week 1

Day out at the Bishoftu crater lakes

1 time fra Addis

An hour down the expressway: lakeside lunch, birds and boat rides on Lake Babogaya or Kuriftu. Check current advice first.

Time there: En hel dag eller med overnatning Lodges approx. USD 80–250 a night

Local tip: Nem tur ad motorvejen. Tjek de aktuelle råd, før du tager af sted.

Check your government's travel advice for this trip the week you go.

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Rejs uden for AddisFlyv med Ethiopian Airlines, book busser i appen Mengedegna, eller tag toget til Dire Dawa.

Day 9

Fly to Hawassa 45 min flight

Fly to Hawassa

45 min flight

Ethiopian Airlines. Flew in on Ethiopian? Ask about the cheaper domestic fare.

Fly to Hawassa· 45 min flight

Week 2

Fly to Hawassa

Rift Valley, 45 min flight

A lakeside city in the Rift Valley: the fish market at dawn, monkeys in Amora Gedel park and a boat on the lake. Check your government's advice first.

Flight approx. USD 70–200

Check your government's travel advice for this trip the week you go.

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Rejs uden for AddisFlyv med Ethiopian Airlines, book busser i appen Mengedegna, eller tag toget til Dire Dawa.

Day 11

Fly to Addis 30 min

Fly to Addis

30 min

Ethiopian Airlines. Flew in on Ethiopian? Ask about the cheaper domestic fare.

Fly to Addis· 30 min

Back to your hotel · Mid-range

Ras Amba Hotel

Arat Kilo

A calm hillside hotel above Arat Kilo with views over the city, close to the museums and Piassa.

Directions

Day 12

Take a ride to Addis Sport Park 10 min

Take a ride to Addis Sport Park

10 min

Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

RIDE, Feres, Yango

Take a ride to Addis Sport Park· 10 min

Week 2

A run at Addis Sport Park

Urael

A public sports park east of Meskel Square for a jog, a workout or a pickup game. Go early: Addis is 2,350 m up and the morning air is cool.

Free

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Kom rundt i byenRIDE, Feres og Yango virker; Uber gør ikke. Betal chaufføren kontant.

Take a ride to Zoma Museum 25 min

Take a ride to Zoma Museum

25 min

Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

RIDE, Feres, Yango

Take a ride to Zoma Museum· 25 min

Week 2

Zoma Museum

Mexico

An artist-built museum of mud-and-straw walls, gardens and a café. Check opening days before you go.

Time there: 1–2 timer Entry fee

Local tip: Tjek åbningsdagene, før du tager af sted; det lukker for private arrangementer.

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Kom rundt i byenRIDE, Feres og Yango virker; Uber gør ikke. Betal chaufføren kontant.

Day 13

Take a ride to Gullele Botanic Garden 30 min

Take a ride to Gullele Botanic Garden

30 min

Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

RIDE, Feres, Yango

Take a ride to Gullele Botanic Garden· 30 min

Week 2

Gullele Botanic Garden

Gullele

Quiet trails through native trees and a great view west over the city. Few people, lots of birds.

Time there: 2–3 timer Small fee

Local tip: Tag gode sko på; stierne er kuperede, og det er køligere heroppe.

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Kom rundt i byenRIDE, Feres og Yango virker; Uber gør ikke. Betal chaufføren kontant.

Take a ride to Galani Coffee 55 min

Take a ride to Galani Coffee

55 min

Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

RIDE, Feres, Yango

Take a ride to Galani Coffee· 55 min

Week 2

Galani Coffee

Gerji

A specialty café and gallery that runs cuppings of single-origin Ethiopian beans. Ask for a tasting.

Coffee and tasting

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Mad og leveringHvad du skal spise og drikke, med billeder, og de apps, der leverer mad og dagligvarer til din dør.Kom rundt i byenRIDE, Feres og Yango virker; Uber gør ikke. Betal chaufføren kontant.

Day 16

Take the train to Dire Dawa Most of a day by train

Take the train to Dire Dawa

Most of a day by train

Ethio-Djibouti Railway from Furi-Lebu station. Book on the official portal.

Take the train to Dire Dawa· Most of a day by train

Week 3

Train to Dire Dawa

East, by the Ethio-Djibouti Railway

The electric railway leaves from Furi-Lebu station. Book on the official portal with telebirr, or at the station with your passport. Check advice for the east first.

Book on bookingedr.et

Check your government's travel advice for this trip the week you go.

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Rejs uden for AddisFlyv med Ethiopian Airlines, book busser i appen Mengedegna, eller tag toget til Dire Dawa.

Day 17

Drive to Harar with a driver About 1 hour by road

Drive to Harar with a driver

About 1 hour by road

Hire a trusted driver through your hotel or tour operator, and travel in daylight.

Drive to Harar with a driver· About 1 hour by road

Week 3

Harar and the hyena men

Old walled city, 1 hour from Dire Dawa

Islam's fourth holy city: 82 mosques in a walled old town, coffee and baskets, and hyena feeding at dusk. Go with a guide and a trusted driver.

Agree the guide fee first

Check your government's travel advice for this trip the week you go.

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Muslimske rejsendeMoskéer i alle dele af Addis og halal-kød overalt fra muslimske slagtere. Find et sted at bede med Musalla.Rejs uden for AddisFlyv med Ethiopian Airlines, book busser i appen Mengedegna, eller tag toget til Dire Dawa.

Watch first · Drew BinskyJeg mødte 500 vilde hyæner i Etiopien

Day 19

Fly to Addis 50 min

Fly to Addis

50 min

Ethiopian Airlines. Flew in on Ethiopian? Ask about the cheaper domestic fare.

Fly to Addis· 50 min

Back to your hotel · Mid-range

Ras Amba Hotel

Arat Kilo

A calm hillside hotel above Arat Kilo with views over the city, close to the museums and Piassa.

Directions

Day 21

Take a ride to Shiro Meda-markedet 15 min

Take a ride to Shiro Meda-markedet

15 min

Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

RIDE, Feres, Yango

Take a ride to Shiro Meda-markedet· 15 min

Week 3

Shiro Meda weavers' market

Det nordlige Addis

Hand-woven scarves and traditional dresses straight from the weavers. Haggle gently.

Time there: 1–2 timer From 600 Br

Local tip: Håndvævede stykker koster mere; mærk på vægten.

Directions

Guides til dette stop

IndkøbI indkøbscentre er priserne faste, på markeder forventes der prutning, og online er det Zemen Gebeya i telebirr. Betal aldrig, før du har fået varen.Kom rundt i byenRIDE, Feres og Yango virker; Uber gør ikke. Betal chaufføren kontant.

Take a ride to Kategna 35 min

Take a ride to Kategna

35 min

Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

RIDE, Feres, Yango

Take a ride to Kategna· 35 min

Week 3

Lunch at Kategna

Bole

Traditional food done well: try the kategna (toasted injera with spiced butter) and a shiro. Vegan plates too.

approx. 250–1,200 Br

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Veganske rejsendeKaldes ofte et vegansk paradis: ortodoks fastemad uden kød, mejeriprodukter og æg serveres næsten overalt.Mad og leveringHvad du skal spise og drikke, med billeder, og de apps, der leverer mad og dagligvarer til din dør.Kom rundt i byenRIDE, Feres og Yango virker; Uber gør ikke. Betal chaufføren kontant.

Watch first · Mark WiensKategna: etiopisk mad, du ikke må gå glip af

Day 23

Fly to Arba Minch 1 hour flight

Fly to Arba Minch

1 hour flight

Ethiopian Airlines. Flew in on Ethiopian? Ask about the cheaper domestic fare.

Fly to Arba Minch· 1 hour flight

Week 4

Fly to Arba Minch

South, 1 hour flight

Crocodiles and hippos on Lake Chamo, then up to the Dorze villages for beehive huts and weaving. Go with a licensed operator.

Flight approx. USD 70–200

Check your government's travel advice for this trip the week you go.

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Rejs uden for AddisFlyv med Ethiopian Airlines, book busser i appen Mengedegna, eller tag toget til Dire Dawa.

Watch first · Rejsespor#02 Omo dalens stammer i Etiopien

Day 26

Fly to Addis 50 min

Fly to Addis

50 min

Ethiopian Airlines. Flew in on Ethiopian? Ask about the cheaper domestic fare.

Fly to Addis· 50 min

Back to your hotel · Mid-range

Ras Amba Hotel

Arat Kilo

A calm hillside hotel above Arat Kilo with views over the city, close to the museums and Piassa.

Directions

Day 28

Take a ride to Bole Medhane Alem Cathedral 20 min

Take a ride to Bole Medhane Alem Cathedral

20 min

Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

RIDE, Feres, Yango

Take a ride to Bole Medhane Alem Cathedral· 20 min

Week 4

Bole Medhane Alem Cathedral

Bole

The second-largest cathedral in Africa. Sunday mornings fill the grounds with white shawls and chanting.

Time there: 30–45 minutter Free

Local tip: Dæk skuldre og knæ.

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Walk to Bole Road 5 min

Walk to Bole Road

5 min

Short and easy on foot. Keep your phone in a front pocket.

Walk to Bole Road· 5 min

Week 4 · last night

Bole Road at night

Bole

Rooftop bars, lounges and late food on Bole's main strip. Take a ride home rather than walking late.

Time there: Aften Varies

Local tip: Brug en kørselsapp om aftenen, også på korte strækninger.

Directions

Guides til dette stop

Er det sikkert at rejse?Addis er rolig, men det er nogle regioner ikke. Se, hvor du kan tage hen, og hvad du skal undgå, ud fra de britiske, amerikanske og japanske rejsevejledninger.Kom rundt i byenRIDE, Feres og Yango virker; Uber gør ikke. Betal chaufføren kontant.

Take a ride to Bole Airport 10 min

Take a ride to Bole Airport

10 min

Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

RIDE, Feres, Yango

Take a ride to Bole Airport· 10 min

Back to Bole for your flight

Leave about 3 hours before an international departure: security and check-in take time.

Time there: 15–30 min til de fleste hoteller

Local tip: Køb dit SIM-kort i bagagehallen, før du går ud.

Guides til dette stop

Landing i BoleSpring taxihajerne over: bestil en bil hos RIDE, Feres eller Yango i appen. 15 til 30 minutter til de fleste hoteller.Hvad du må have medTelefoner og kameraer er fine. Droner og kikkerter kræver en tilladelse, før du flyver.Kom rundt i byenRIDE, Feres og Yango virker; Uber gør ikke. Betal chaufføren kontant.

Watch first · Indigo TravellerSådan rejser du i Etiopien: priser og sikkerhed