Arrival Day 1 Fly into Addis Int'l: T2 · Domestic: T1
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.
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.
Local tip: Nunua SIM yako katika ukumbi wa mizigo kabla ya kuondoka.
Watch first · Indigo Traveller Jinsi ya kusafiri Ethiopia: bei na usalama
Take a ride to your hotel Take a ride to your hotel
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 5 min
Your hotel · Mid-range
Best Western Plus Addis Ababa Bole
A dependable mid-range base on Bole's restaurant strip, about ten minutes from the airport.
Take a ride to National Museum of Ethiopia Take a ride to National Museum of Ethiopia
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 20 min
Morning
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.
Local tip: Hufungwa katika baadhi ya sikukuu.
Walk to Holy Trinity Cathedral
Walk to Holy Trinity Cathedral
Short and easy on foot. Keep your phone in a front pocket.
· 15 min
Late morning
Holy Trinity Cathedral Arat Kilo
Haile Selassie's tomb and the city's grandest stained glass, a short walk down from the museum.
Local tip: Vaa kwa heshima; vua viatu unapoombwa.
Walk to Unity Park
Walk to Unity Park
Short and easy on foot. Keep your phone in a front pocket.
· 15 min
Afternoon
Menelik's palace grounds: the banquet hall, the old throne room, gardens and a small zoo. Closed on Mondays.
Local tip: Jumanne–Jumapili, tiketi saa 3 asubuhi–saa 10 jioni (9 am–4 pm). Hufungwa Jumatatu.
Watch first · Wode Maya Mji mkuu wa Ethiopia unageuka kuwa jiji la kiwango cha dunia
Take a ride to Yod Abyssinia Take a ride to Yod Abyssinia
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 20 min
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.
Watch first · Mark Wiens Ziara bora kabisa ya vyakula vya Ethiopia mjini Addis Ababa
Day 2 Take a ride to Entoto Park Take a ride to Entoto Park
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 40 min
Morning
Entoto Park and Entoto Maryam Entoto hills
Eucalyptus forest 3,000 m up: trails, viewpoints over the city and the church where Menelik was crowned. Bring a layer.
Local tip: Ni baridi zaidi na juu zaidi (takriban 3,000 m). Beba nguo ya ziada.
Take a ride to St George's Cathedral Take a ride to St George's Cathedral
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 25 min
Midday
St George's Cathedral Piassa
The octagonal church where Menelik gave thanks for Adwa, with a small museum of crowns and paintings.
Local tip: Baadaye tembea katika mitaa ya zamani ya Piassa.
Walk to Tomoca Coffee
Walk to Tomoca Coffee
Short and easy on foot. Keep your phone in a front pocket.
· 10 min
Coffee
A macchiato at Tomoca Piassa
Roasting since 1953. Stand at the bar like the regulars and buy a bag of beans to take home.
Local tip: Nunua maharagwe yaliyofungwa ya kubeba nyumbani.
Take a ride to Arada Park Take a ride to Arada Park
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 5 min
Afternoon
A new green square in the old Arada quarter, a nice pause between Piassa's churches, cafés and jewellers.
Take a ride to Fendika Cultural Center Take a ride to Fendika Cultural Center
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 10 min
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.
Local tip: Mpe mwimbaji bakshishi akiimba kukuhusu.
Day 3 Take a ride to Meskel Square Take a ride to Meskel Square
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 15 min
Morning
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.
Local tip: Magari mengi sana; vuka kwa uangalifu.
Cycle to Friendship Park
Cycle to Friendship Park
Flat riverside paths, away from the traffic.
· 10 min
Morning
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.
Watch first · Wode Maya Mji mkuu wa Ethiopia unageuka kuwa jiji la kiwango cha dunia
Take a ride to Red Terror Martyrs' Memorial Museum Take a ride to Red Terror Martyrs' Memorial Museum
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 5 min
Late morning
Red Terror Martyrs' Memorial Museum Meskel Square
A small, moving museum on the Derg years, often guided by survivors. Free, donations welcome.
Local tip: Tembelea pamoja na Meskel Square.
Take the light rail to Merkato Take the light rail to Merkato
A few birr a ride. Buy a ticket at the station window.
· 10 min
Afternoon
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.
Local tip: Nenda na mwongozaji wa hapa; acha vitu vya thamani nyuma.
Take a ride to Kategna Take a ride to Kategna
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 30 min
Dinner
Traditional food done well: try the kategna (toasted injera with spiced butter) and a shiro. Vegan plates too.
Watch first · Mark Wiens Kategna: chakula cha Ethiopia usichopaswa kukikosa
Take a ride to Bole Airport Take a ride to Bole Airport
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 5 min
Back to Bole for your flight Leave about 3 hours before an international departure: security and check-in take time.
Local tip: Nunua SIM yako katika ukumbi wa mizigo kabla ya kuondoka.
Watch first · Indigo Traveller Jinsi ya kusafiri Ethiopia: bei na usalama 
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Watch first · Indigo TravellerJinsi ya kusafiri Ethiopia: bei na usalama
