Things to see and explore in Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa offers a diverse selection of fascinating activities, including cathedrals, markets, and fascinating museums. You'll also discover some of the best coffee in the world, as well as a delectable selection of local and foreign restaurants and food booths.
What to do once and see once you have arrived to Addis Ababa Ethiopia.
Things to see in Addis Ababa
Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa, was founded in 1987 by Emperor Minilik II. The city boasts a diverse culture as well as a distinctive scenery.
Addis Ababa offers an astonishing variety of activities. Ethiopia’s dynamic capital city is not only one of the country’s most active and eclectic cities, but it is also known as Africa’s capital. Its name, which means “fresh flower” in Amharic, symbolizes its youthful, vivacious beauty and vitality.
Addis Ababa, located in the majestic Ethiopian highlands at 2,665 meters above sea level, has a mild but comfortable climate. The city is open to visitors at all times of the year. There is so much to see in Ethiopia’s capital that planning a vacation might be stressful. We’ve put up a list of the most interesting things to see in Addis Ababa to help you plan your vacation.
Ethiopia’s generational legacy is embodied Unity Park, which is located within the National Palace. Visitors will find an arena, a playground, a zoo, three churches, the House of Royals, and an imperial banquet hall among the rebuilt compound’s attractions.
At a height of 3,200 meters, you will be able to overlook the entirety of Addis Ababa from an outstanding vantage point, as well as see the famous Entoto Church & Museum and Menelik’s palace. A brief trip to Shiromeda Textile Market will allow you to mingle with some of the world’s most renowned traditional textile craftspeople.
Mercato is Africa’s largest outdoor market. It’s huge, and you can find anything there, including some wonderful artisan, handcrafted goods, a fantastic selection of spices, and some incredible deals. At the market, 90 Ethiopian tribes are represented, making the experience even more fascinating.
Mount Entoto provides breath-taking panoramic views of Addis Ababa’s breathtaking surroundings. The eucalyptus tree forest makes it ideal for hiking at 3,200 meters above sea level. Two of the country’s earliest churches are also located there: St. Raguel (Elias) and St. Mary of Entoto.
Medhane Alem is Addis Ababa’s largest church (and Africa’s second largest cathedral!). Its name means “Saviour of the World,” and the structure is quite new. The white and yellow exterior has some lovely domes, and the colorful interior boasts paintings and stained glass windows depicting saints.
The most famous venue of worship in Addis Ababa is St. George’s Cathedral. It stands atop a hill and is known for its magnificent stained glass windows and imperial throne. A museum packed with paintings of scenes from the Bible and Ethiopian history is located just a short walk away.
Entoto Natural Park is a place of tranquility and joy. It’s a one-of-a-kind location to discover the most spectacular ancient mountain nature, complete with clear springs and waterfalls. The park is located on the south-eastern slopes of Mt Entoto, between the city of Addis Ababa’s northern border at an elevation of 2,600 meters and the trail along the mountain ridge at an elevation of over 3,100 meters.
Entoto Park now has a variety of indoor and outdoor amenities, including athletic centers, libraries, entertainment, restaurants, and coffee shops, as well as a man-made lake and fountains, as well as bike, scooter, and cart paths. The majority of these structures were built with local materials and mix in wonderfully with the park’s natural surroundings. In terms of supporting service economies and transforming the look and feel of Addis Ababa, the Entoto Natural Park will be crucial.
A Paintball arena, which is a safe heaven for everybody who appreciates a nice game of paintball, is one of the attractive activities in Entoto Natural Park. A horseback riding ranch that caters to both adults and children. Adults can ride a horse for a 3-5 kilometer walk, while youngsters have their own horse riding arena with a trainer. Archery in the open air and Furthermore, Entoto Park will feature a large outdoor amphitheatre for concerts, theaters, and live music.
We encourage you to come and see how the park can bring a genuine and tremendous creative joy to many families, allowing them to reunite and rejoice in being stress-free while also gaining health and stimulation.
The National Museum of Ethiopia, according to many visitors, is one of the top museums in the country and one of the best things to do in Addis Ababa. The museum has thousands of objects and offers a diverse range of exhibits. The Axum statues, the model of “Lucy,” and the remains of the very first humans are among the highlights.
Meskel Square is the heart of the capital’s social life. There are a few museums worth seeing, and there are regular events that are popular with both visitors and locals. The Red Terror Martyrs Memorial Museum is one of them, and it documents the brutal period of suffering in the 1970s.
The Ethnological Museum is a must-see for visitors exploring Ethiopia beyond Addis Ababa. The museum, which is housed in Haile Selassie’s former palace on the grounds of Addis Ababa’s major university campus, provides an in-depth look into Ethiopia’s rich cultural makeup. On the first floor, the museum’s largest and most important display begins.
A modest modern art scene has emerged from the frantic streets of Addis Ababa in the last decade or two, with Addis Fine Art at the vanguard of the movement. AFA is a tiny independent gallery in Bole that supports Ethiopian and diaspora artists (people with Ethiopian ancestry who live abroad) and has quickly established itself as one of the country’s premier modern art spaces.