All trip plans
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

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.

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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: 到大多数酒店 15–30 分钟

Local tip: 离开前在行李提取大厅买好 SIM 卡。

DirectionsWatch first · 旅人愛聞 Travel EvanEvan Vlog|非洲入境初體驗|衣索比亞觀光|阿迪斯阿貝巴Addis Ababa|衣索比亞航空ET638|因傑拉Injera|Tomoca咖啡|衣索比亞明信片|非洲物價好便宜|Ethiopia|
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.

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
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.

Week 1

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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 小时 Small foreigner fee

Local tip: 部分节假日闭馆。

DirectionsWatch first · TravelStory生菜火山闯世界埃塞俄比亚:在首都大学里遇到歌手拍MV!国家博物馆参观Lucy | 穿越非洲纪录片 Day22 | Ethiopia Addis Ababa
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.

Week 1

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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 小时 Visitor fee

Local tip: 穿着要得体;按要求脱鞋。

Directions
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.

Week 1 · evening

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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
DirectionsWatch first · Mark Wiens亚的斯亚贝巴终极埃塞俄比亚美食之旅

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.

Week 1

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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.

Time there: 半天 Small fee

Local tip: 海拔更高(约 3,000 米),也更凉。带件外套。

Directions
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.

Week 1

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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 分钟 Small fee

Local tip: 参观后去皮亚萨的老街走走。

Directions
Walk to Tomoca Coffee 10 min

Walk to Tomoca Coffee

10 min

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

Week 1

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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 分钟 From 40 Br

Local tip: 买密封包装的咖啡豆带回家。

DirectionsWatch first · 旅人愛聞 Travel EvanEvan Vlog|非洲入境初體驗|衣索比亞觀光|阿迪斯阿貝巴Addis Ababa|衣索比亞航空ET638|因傑拉Injera|Tomoca咖啡|衣索比亞明信片|非洲物價好便宜|Ethiopia|

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.

Week 1

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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 小时 USD 20, or 50 with the palace and a guide

Local tip: 周二至周日开放,售票时间上午 9 点至下午 4 点。周一闭园。

DirectionsWatch first · Wode Maya埃塞俄比亚首都正在蜕变为世界级城市
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.

Week 1 · evening

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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: 晚上 Entry and drinks

Local tip: 如果歌手唱到了你,给他小费。

Directions

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.

Week 1

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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 分钟 Free

Local tip: 车流量大;过马路要小心。

Directions
Cycle to Friendship Park 10 min

Cycle to Friendship Park

10 min

Flat riverside paths, away from the traffic.

Week 1

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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
DirectionsWatch first · Wode Maya埃塞俄比亚首都正在蜕变为世界级城市
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.

Week 1

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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 小时 Free; agree the guide fee first

Local tip: 跟当地向导一起去;贵重物品不要带。

DirectionsWatch first · 敬大宝环球旅行之埃塞俄比亚篇,本期内容:当地特色吃生肉,非洲最大露天市场和无处不在的咖啡馆

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.

Week 1

Day out at the Bishoftu crater lakes

1 hour from Addis

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

Time there: 一整天或过夜 Lodges approx. USD 80–250 a night

Local tip: 走高速公路很方便。出发前查看最新建议。

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

Directions

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.

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

Day 11

Fly to Addis 30 min

Fly to Addis

30 min

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

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.

Week 2

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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
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.

Week 2

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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 小时 Entry fee

Local tip: 去之前先查好开放日;有私人活动时会闭馆。

Directions

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.

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 小时 Small fee

Local tip: 穿双好鞋;步道起伏较大,山上也更凉。

Directions
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.

Week 2

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Galani Coffee

Gerji

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

Coffee and tasting
Directions

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.

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

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.

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.

DirectionsWatch first · Drew Binsky我在埃塞俄比亚遇到了 500 只野生鬣狗

Day 19

Fly to Addis 50 min

Fly to Addis

50 min

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

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 market 15 min

Take a ride to Shiro Meda market

15 min

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

Week 3

Shiro Meda weavers' market

North Addis

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

Time there: 1–2 小时 From 600 Br

Local tip: 手工织的更贵;掂掂分量。

Directions
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.

Week 3

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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
DirectionsWatch first · Mark WiensKategna:不可错过的埃塞俄比亚美食

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.

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

Day 26

Fly to Addis 50 min

Fly to Addis

50 min

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

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.

Week 4

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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 分钟 Free

Local tip: 遮住肩膀和膝盖。

Directions
Walk to Bole Road 5 min

Walk to Bole Road

5 min

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

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: 晚上 Varies

Local tip: 晚上即使距离很近也用打车应用。

Directions
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.

Back to Bole for your flight

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

Time there: 到大多数酒店 15–30 分钟

Local tip: 离开前在行李提取大厅买好 SIM 卡。

Watch first · 旅人愛聞 Travel EvanEvan Vlog|非洲入境初體驗|衣索比亞觀光|阿迪斯阿貝巴Addis Ababa|衣索比亞航空ET638|因傑拉Injera|Tomoca咖啡|衣索比亞明信片|非洲物價好便宜|Ethiopia|
A month in Addis Ababa: a day-by-day plan · Guide.et