Ethiopia Addis Ababa Tours

Addis Ababa Tours introduce travelers to Ethiopia's capital, a city that sits at roughly 2,355 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest capital cities in the world. Founded in 1886, Addis Ababa has grown into the diplomatic center of the African continent and hosts the headquarters of the African Union, drawing delegations from across Africa year round.

As a starting or closing point on a wider Ethiopia itinerary, Addis Ababa Tours typically combine the city's museums and markets with a first taste of Ethiopian coffee culture before travelers head north to the historic route or south into the Omo Valley.

Top Attractions in Addis Ababa

National Museum of Ethiopia

The National Museum holds Ethiopia's most significant paleoanthropological finds, including a cast of "Lucy," the roughly 3.2 million year old Australopithecus afarensis skeleton discovered in the Afar region in 1974. Additional galleries cover Ethiopian imperial history and traditional art.

Merkato

Merkato is reputed to be one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, spreading across a dense grid of streets where traders deal in everything from spices and textiles to grain and secondhand goods. Guided visits help newcomers navigate its scale and pace.

Holy Trinity Cathedral

Holy Trinity Cathedral, built in the 1930s, ranks among the most significant places of worship in Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity and is the burial site of Emperor Haile Selassie. Its stained glass windows and carved stonework reflect both Ethiopian and European architectural influence.

Entoto Hill

Entoto Hill rises above the city's northern edge and was the site Emperor Menelik II chose for his original capital before the court moved down to the warmer valley that became Addis Ababa. The hill's eucalyptus forest, planted in the late 19th century to supply the growing city with fuel and timber, still frames views over the capital below.

Coffee Culture in Addis Ababa

Ethiopia is widely regarded as the birthplace of coffee, traced to the Kaffa region in the country's southwest, and Addis Ababa carries that heritage into daily life through the traditional coffee ceremony. The ritual roasting, grinding and brewing of beans over three rounds is a common feature on city tours and a routine part of Ethiopian hospitality.

Ethiopian Cuisine in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the easiest place in the country to sample Ethiopian cuisine in variety, from injera, the sour flatbread that serves as the base of most meals, to spiced stews known as wat, made with beef, lamb, chicken or lentils depending on the day and the season of fasting observed by many Ethiopian Orthodox Christians. Restaurants across the city range from simple local kitchens to venues that pair dinner with traditional music and dance.

A Diplomatic Capital

Addis Ababa has served as the headquarters of the African Union since the organization's founding in 1963 as the Organisation of African Unity, and the AU's current headquarters building, completed in 2012, is a fixture of the skyline. That diplomatic role sits alongside a fast-growing modern city of wide boulevards, new construction and Bole International Airport, one of the busiest air hubs on the continent.

Addis Ababa Tour Packages

Addis Ababa Tour Packages generally pair a half or full day of city sightseeing, covering the National Museum, Merkato and the cathedral, with time set aside for a coffee ceremony. Many visitors add the city on to longer circuits covering Ethiopia's northern historic sites or the Omo Valley in the south.

Addis Ababa City Tour

Best Time to Visit Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa's high altitude keeps temperatures mild throughout the year, generally between 10 and 25 degrees Celsius. The dry season from October to May offers the clearest conditions for sightseeing, while the main rains fall between June and September.