What to do in Addis Ababa (advice from my week-long stay!)
If you’re wondering what to do in Addis Ababa, it can honestly feel a bit overwhelming at first. Addis Ababa is a rapidly changing city, and things don’t always match what you see online. As Ethiopia’s capital and cultural heart, the city is full of history, from ancient traditions to its role as the political and artistic center of the country. There is a lot to do, from museums and arts to coffee culture, local markets, and restaurants that reflect the city’s vibrant mix of old and new.
There are so many places around the city that it’s impossible to include everything, so these are my main highlights. I’d also recommend checking my Google Maps Pins to complement this guide on what to do in Addis Ababa.
Quick summary: The key things to do in Addis Ababa include visiting major museums like the National Museum and Red Terror Martyrs’ Memorial Museum, exploring large markets such as Mercato, and shopping (for gold, silver, leather, and traditional clothing) in areas like Post Office, Ambassador Mall, and Shiro Meda. Art lovers can visit galleries like Makush Art Gallery and Golla Art Gallery, while outdoor experiences include Entoto Park (and church) plus the developing river walk.
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Tips for Visiting
Where to stay in Addis Ababa
I recommend staying in Kazanchis. There are a few great streets off Guinea Conakry St with cafes, restaurants, and small souvenir shops, and it’s a convenient base for getting around. I stayed at the Radisson Blu (as Wilhelm’s plus one on his work trip), but I also like the look of Elilly International Hotel (where I had sunset drinks one evening)
Another area I suggest is Bole (near the airport). There are popular restaurants and shops around there too. In Bole, I like Liyu Hotel Apartment and Crescent International Hotel.
Getting around Addis Ababa
When we visited, we used a mix of taxis and walking. Using an e-hailing app will usually give you the best price. If you take a taxi off the street, expect to pay around 100 birr more than what you see on apps like Yango or Taxiye. I used Yango and paid for each ride in cash.
Safety in Addis Ababa
Walking around Addis Ababa felt relatively safe overall. We did have one incident at night when we were walking a bit aimlessly, and two young men tried to grab my husband’s phone from his pocket. He shouted “police” and they immediately apologized and walked away.
3-Day Addis Ababa Itinerary
You can pair this list of what to do in Addis Ababa with my 3-Day Itinerary that captures the highlights.
Art Galleries
Makush Art Gallery
This is one of my favorite galleries in Addis. There are over 300 artists represented, with a wide range of styles and price points. Smaller pieces start around $80 to $120, while larger works go higher. The owner was super helpful in explaining the background of the artists and the space. There was music playing and even coffee being shared around, which gave it a really relaxed vibe. I took photos on my first visit so I could think about what I wanted before buying.
Zoma Museum
I didn’t get a chance to visit, but it’s about 15 minutes outside the main part of the city. It’s an eco-art center that combines traditional Ethiopian architecture with contemporary art and sustainability.
Golla Art Gallery
Golla Art Gallery is set inside a really cute yellow house, which already makes it worth a visit. The pieces are more on the expensive side. No pics were allowed inside.
There are also two souvenir shops in the back, one focused on leather goods and another with general souvenirs.
Addis Fine Art
Unfortunately, this one was closed when I visited, but it has great reviews and is worth checking out.
Reliable Tour Guides in Addis Ababa
When thinking about what to do in Addis Ababa, I always recommend starting with a tour. I usually book one early in my trip, especially in cities like Addis where things change quickly.
Meet my tour guide, Mike!
For this visit, I did a custom tour with Habesha Wonder that included Mercato, Ensira Pottery, lunch, shopping stops, a river walk, and an evening light show.
Before arriving, I had a call with Mike to go through everything I wanted to see, and he helped shape the day. What I liked most was how relaxed it felt. The tour wasn’t overly structured and felt more like exploring with someone who really knows the city.
I also got a lot of up-to-date recommendations for food and things to do, which made a big difference. Honestly, I wouldn’t have found most of these places on my own.
Contact Habesha Wonder: [email protected] or +251912669044.
Addis Ababa Layover Tour
I originally found Habesha Wonder through reviews for this 4-hour layover tour and reached out to customize my day. If you have 6 hours or so in Addis Ababa you’ll have a good time. During the day, you can visit museums and explore markets. In the evening, you can catch a light show, go to dinner, and even see traditional dancing or jazz. The city is really nice at night, so this is a great option if you’re short on time and figuring out what to do in Addis Ababa during a layover.
Entoto Park and Church
Entoto is a popular area for both locals and visitors, and a great stop when planning what to do in Addis Ababa. The park has great views over the city when it’s not cloudy, plus there are walking paths and a few cafes. I think the entrance fee was 1000 birr/pp only to be paid by card machine (which took them forever to get signal). We took a taxi here for 600 birr from Arat Kilo area but you’ll likely get the best price by using Yango.
A little smog on our day out but it was still nice to see
Be sure to complete the “Ethiopia!” sign here by the entrance.
You can also visit Entoto St. Mariam Church, which includes access to Emperor Menelik II’s palace from 1883. A guide is included with your ticket (around 600 birr/pp). If you have time, I’d recommend doing both the park and the church. In the afternoon, the church closes for visits inside so plan to go in the morning.
Sites around Town
When planning what to do in Addis Ababa, these smaller sites around the city are easy stops to add between museums, restaurants, and shopping.
St. George Church
The St. George Church charges an entrance fee for visitors (1000 birr). You will have a guide take you around and they share the history of the church as you walk through. We didn’t think the price was fully worth it, but it is still a very cool site and one of the more well known churches in town.
Medhanealem Cathedral
Medhanealem Cathedral doesn’t charge an entrance fee and it’s worth checking out when you’re in the Bole area.
Unity Park
Unity park has great views in the day or at night. Complete the “Ethiopia!” sign at the viewpoint.
Try to fit in an evening walk to see the CBE building light up.
Ring Monument
While along the river walk, you’ll see this interesting ring-like monument. It’s around here.
Lion of Judah Monument
The Lion of Judah in downtown Addis is amazing! It’s worth stopping by when wandering around downtown.
It’s not to be confused with the Lion of Judah statue, which is much smaller but also features the lion.
Commercial Bank Ethiopia Building + Downtown
Also known as the CBE, this is the tallest building in the city. It’s 53 floors and near the top (on the 47th floor) is the famous Marcus Addis Restaurant, which is worth visiting for dinner or drinks. It is really nice to walk around at night and see the building because occasionally it lights up in the Ethiopian flag.
Yes, I stood here for 3 minutes waiting to get the right picture with the lights. This view is from the Post Office Headquarters.
This area is also so nice to walk around. I just love the street lamps and the organization of the city from this area. Check out the AI institute and the Ethiopia-Cube friendship memorial (100 birr to enter).
Kids World
It seems a little silly, but in the evening the Kids World area has statues lit up that will make you feel like you’re in Singapore, and I think that’s pretty cool.
Mercato (culture, city vibes, and chaos)
Mercato is often said to be the largest open-air market in Africa, and once you’re there, you’ll believe it. There are sections for spices, clothing, secondhand goods, and pretty much anything else you can think of.
It’s somewhat organized, but not in a way that’s easy to navigate alone. The first time I went, I couldn’t even find my way out.
I highly recommend doing this with a guide. I went with Habesha Wonders, and it made the experience so much easier. It felt like exploring with a friend. I had a list of things I wanted to see, like spices and baskets, and we covered all of it, plus more like the secondhand market.
If you do explore yourself, plan to just wander around (and use my Google Maps Pins).
(Window) Shopping
If you are figuring out what do to in Addis Ababa, shopping is a big part of the experience and a great way to explore the city’s different neighborhoods. From traditional crafts to gold, silver, leather, and fabrics, there is a lot to discover as you move through local markets and malls.
Souvenir Shopping
Post office area
In the area known as Post Office, because the post Office headquarters is located there, there is a shopping mall with a bunch of different small sellers. It’s four stories and you can wander in and out of each of the shops. I suggest checking the prices at each stall before buying anything.
Coffee sets like this are around 1000 birr. Traditional artwork items can range from 2000 to 12,000 birr. There are even a few sellers selling silver if you ask for it.
Entoto Toto Fair Trade Center
Entoto Toto Fair trade center is a great place to stop to get a variety of souvenirs. I got a bracelet and a necklace here. Jewelry was around 1,400 birr per piece. There were some cute kids gifts and natural oils and hair products and even honey.
Gold and Silver Shopping
Ambassador Mall
Ethiopian gold and silver is really beautiful, with intricate designs that blend traditional shapes and more contemporary styles. The best place to go jewelry shopping is Ambassador Mall. This is where a lot of the jewelry shops from across the city have been consolidated.
There are four floors and it’s all gold and silver, so you can walk in and out of different shops until you find exactly what you want. I got gorgeous earrings and bracelets here.
The good thing is that most places take credit cards, and there are also four or five ATMs inside the mall, which makes it really easy.
Adwa Memorial
Around the Adwa Memorial in Piazza, there are also smaller jewelry shops along the road here. The ones that didn’t survive the reorganization of this area are all in Ambassador Mall.
Anne Silver Ethiopia
On my second visit to Addis Ababa, I purchased earrings for my sister and a ring for myself at Anne Silver. The ring was about $30 and the earrings were about $40.
Leather Shopping
Ethiopia has amazing leather shops and they produce high quality leather good. There are a few shops scattered around town, but the best place for bargain leather shopping is by the stadium.
Stadium
The stadium is one of the best places for more affordable leather. There are a lot of shops, and you may even see small factories in the back. A lot of the products are similar, so it’s worth going in and out of multiple stalls before deciding.
I went through several shops before choosing a black leather jacket for 5,800 birr. Prices ranged from about 4,000 to 9,000 birr, with suede jackets around 6,000 birr. The seller I bought from had slightly better prices, so I didn’t negotiate, but you definitely can if you’re buying multiple items.
Some sellers will have card machines but most only take cash. Check out the mural and the Olympic sign too.
Other leather shops around town
- Tibeb leather: Tibeb leather shop is got some leather items but not a huge variety. Small purses are around 4,000 birr.
- Saio: Saio has nice looking purses
- KER EZHI: there are a few KER EZHI shops around Addis Ababa. It’s a little pricier but if you want pure export quality items, then they are reliable.
- Aky Leather: Aky Leather has purses and leather goods
Ethiopian Clothes Shopping
Shiro Meda market
In the Shiro Meda area, there are tons of shops selling traditional Ethiopian clothing and fabrics. Some are small stalls inside larger market spaces, and others are proper storefronts. You’ll find mostly traditional styles, but there are some modern options as well. The shawls and bedspreads have beautiful embroidery on them.
I love the traditional clothing, but I don’t really have anywhere to wear it, which is unfortunate. Still, it’s worth browsing.
You can negotiate in these markets. Some of the shopping areas kinda feel like a little mini mall, and then others are real storefronts. You should just walk in and out of everything.
Lulit’s handwoven fashion
Located in Kazanchis, Lulit’s has beautiful Ethiopian cotton and silk pieces with a more contemporary feel. We got Wilhelm a shirt with Ethiopian detailing. We got a gorgeous bedspread that unfortunately, was the last of its kind. But you should definitely check it out.
Pottery (and make your own)
If you’re also looking for something authentic and hands-on to do in Addis Ababa, visiting Ensira Pottery is a great option. I went as part of a tour with Habesha Wonder, and it ended up being one of my favorite experiences in the city. There is a shop where you can buy everything from traditional jebena coffee pots to cups, cooking dishes, and more. And, you can also make your own jabena to take home with you!
Museums
The National Museum
The National Museum is one of the most popular museums in Addis and definitely worth a visit. You’ll learn about Ethiopia’s archaeological and cultural history. It’s also where you can see Lucy, one of the oldest human fossils. Plan to spend about 1 hour here. If you just have time for one museum, this should be it.
Red Terror Martyrs’ Memorial Museum
This free museum is a memorial to those who died during the Red Terror, a violent political campaign that took place in Ethiopia from 1977 to 1978 under the Derg regime. It began as a crackdown on opposition groups, particularly student movements and rival political factions, and quickly escalated into widespread arrests, torture, and executions across the country.
Inside, you’ll see displays of torture instruments, skulls, bones, and photographs of victims. It’s estimated that tens of thousands of people were killed during this period, though some sources suggest the number could be much higher. It’s an intense and sobering experience.
Palace Museum
Located inside Unity Park, this museum gives insight into Ethiopia’s imperial history. One section includes Haile Selassie’s car collection, and another takes you through the palace.
We only visited the car exhibit, which took about 30 minutes, and then had coffee afterward. The cars are impressive, especially one that felt like a house on wheels. There are also two trains on display. The palace requires an additional cost with a required guided tour, which we didn’t have time for. However, I think it would be more meaningful to do both tours together rather than just the cars.
Adwa Victory Museum
The Adwa Victory Museum is a newer site in Addis Ababa that commemorates Ethiopia’s victory at the Battle of Adwa. I honestly left with more questions than I had going in, but that’s mostly because I didn’t know much about the battle beforehand. This is the historic moment when Ethiopia defeated Italy, making it the only African country that was never colonized. (I think the entry was $10).
Nearby, you can also walk to the Adwa Victory Memorial, which has fountains and music. It’s a nice area to walk around.
Science Museum
The Science Museum is a newer addition to Addis and has a very modern feel. It’s more interactive than most museums in the city, with exhibits focused on technology, innovation, and development in Ethiopia. I haven’t had a chance to visit yet, so on my next trip!
Addis Ababa Museum
This is a smaller, more low-key museum that gives a snapshot of the city’s history. It covers how Addis Ababa was founded and how it’s grown over time. I haven’t been yet.
Restaurants, Cafes, and Coffee
If you’re figuring out what to do in Addis Ababa, food and coffee should definitely be part of your plan. I’ve put together a full food guide and cafe roundup, but here are a few of my favorites.
You may want to go on this popular food tour to get a sense of the city’s offerings!
For breakfast, head to Enitewawek or Blue Hen. And, for dinner, Addis Ababa Restaurant and Union Restaurant are great options, while Marcus Addis is perfect if you want something more upscale. For traditional dancing and music, go to Yod Abyssinia, and for live jazz, check out African Jazz Village. If you’re in the mood for something non-Ethiopian, KAZ Sushi or 兰州牛肉面 are solid picks. And if you want to try tella, the traditional Ethiopian beer, Selo Tella Bet is a great place to experience it.
For cafes, check out Tryst for a relaxed, creative vibe. If you’re just stopping for coffee, Aster Coffee and Tomoca are great for a quick espresso or macchiato. Rising Cub Coffee Roasters in Kazanchis is a good option if you want a simple place to work, and Akkoo Coffee is worth visiting for both good coffee and local food.
River Walk
The river walk isn’t on the map yet, but it’s a really interesting addition when thinking about what to do in Addis Ababa. The path follows the Bantyiketu River, which turns into Ras Mekonnen st. I went up as far as Ras Mekonnen Bridge and Ghion Hotel Park.
It’s still under development, but you can already walk parts of it. There are a few shops and restaurants open, though not all the storefronts are filled yet. The river could use some cleanup, but it looks like it’s going to be a really nice space once finished, as it already has a great vibe.
This mural is by the Ghion entrance of the river walk
While walking around town, you can use the river walk instead of the main roads. My Google Maps Pins has entry locations for the river walk.
Evening Activities
Ethiopian Jazz
Ethiopian jazz is a must. Check out African Jazz Village or Fendika for live music.
Light shows
There’s also a free evening light show around 7 pm near Ghion Hotel Park. I saw it as part of my tour, and it was honestly really good. My guide also mentioned there’s another one at Friendship Park at the same time.