Addis Ababa is an up-and-coming holiday destination in the Horn of Africa. In the city centre, you’ll find magnificent architecture, rich local coffee and a lively jazz scene to keep you entertained. Venture further afield and you’ll discover a world of natural beauty, where rocky mountains cast shadows over the peaceful landscape and wild creatures slink through the golden grasslands.
Visit religious buildings
This Ethiopian city is home to many faiths, a fact that is reflected in its eclectic array of religious landmarks. Start your tour at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, where statues of angels and crosses embellish the crown of the building. To the south of the city, admire the pure white columns and copper-topped domes of the Medhane Alem Cathedral, the second largest on the continent. You’ll also find an abundance of mosques in Addis Ababa. Across the land, towering minarets reach up to the heavens, embellishing the skyline with intricate patterns and rich colours.
Learn national history
You’ll find a museum to suit every mood in Addis Ababa, from the colourful tales of the animal kingdom at the Natural History Museum to the heart-wrenching stories of life under the Derg regime at the Red Terror Martyrs Memorial Museum. Perhaps the most famous exhibit in the city is the skeleton of Lucy, found at the National Museum of Ethiopia. Coming face-to-face with this human ancestor, estimated to be three million years old, is a humbling lesson in evolution.
Walk on the wild side
Beasts great and small roam Ethiopia and play an important role in the day-to-day life of Addis Ababa. Against the backdrop of contemporary glass buildings, herds of wild goats and donkeys ramble through the streets in pursuit of fresh places to graze. On the outskirts of the city, monkeys and hyenas cause mischief in the trees, while scores of pink-backed pelicans float peacefully across the nearby crater lakes. For the full safari experience, book a stay at one of the nation’s many National Parks, reached by car or internal flight.
Taste the local cuisine
Sink your teeth into the national menu, characterised by vibrant spices, tender meats and rich coffee beans. Pull up a chair at the colourful eateries in the bustling Piazza neighbourhood in the centre of the city and share a traditional dish of injera with your fellow travellers. Get hands on with this local favourite, tearing the soft flatbread to scoop up the spread of spiced sauces and dips. Round off your meal with a steaming cup of Ethiopian coffee, traditionally brewed in a Jebena pot and served black. These local beans are some of the best in the world, with incredible richness and depth of flavour.
Discover the surrounding area
Beyond the city, there’s a world of attractions in these sweeping lands. Hiring a car brings two particularly exciting sites within easy reach. Drive an hour and 20 minutes to the nearby town of Bishoftu and admire the sparkling, aqua crater lakes which lap against the foot of the nearby buildings. Tiya, a UNESCO world heritage site, is another pleasant day trip, less than two hours’ drive from the city. Ancient stones pepper this rural hilltop, decorated with mysterious symbols from long gone days.
