Addis Ababa and Environs

National Museum

Comprised of many archaeological and historical artifacts including the famous complete hominid fossil “Lucy” locally known as “Dinknesh” meaning “wonderful,” this museum provides a great introduction to the history of Ethiopia.

Mercato

The largest open-air market in Africa. Here you will be given a fascinating glimpse of the vast range of goods from all parts of the country and participate in the Ethiopian tradition of negotiating a price or bartering.

Mount Entoto

With an altitude of 3200 meters is the highest peak in the Addis Ababa region. It was the site of the first palace of Menelik-II, the founder of Addis Ababa, and offers wonderful views of the surrounding forests and the capital below.

National Museum

Comprised of many archaeological and historical artifacts including the famous complete hominid fossil “Lucy” locally known as “Dinknesh” meaning “wonderful,” this museum provides a great introduction to the history of Ethiopia.

Ethnological Museum

Located in the main campus of the Addis Ababa University and founded by the Institute of Ethiopian Studies with the aim to preserve the country's historical and cultural heritages. It has complete collections that describe almost all the tribal groups in Ethiopia. Here you will have an overview about the history, culture and traditions of the people of Ethiopia.

Trinity Cathedral

A beautiful church with a baroque style of European architecture that is unique to both Ethiopia and Africa and is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The church is the burial site of the Emperor Haile Selassie and his wife.

St. George Cathedral

Located in the heart of the city, is where Emperor Haile Selassie was coronated as the Emperor of Ethiopia. Its museum holds clothes and belongings of the former Ethiopian kings, religious crosses, and numerous manuscripts and paintings.

Mount Entoto

With an altitude of 3200 meters is the highest peak in the Addis Ababa region. It was the site of the first palace of Menelik-II, the founder of Addis Ababa, and offers wonderful views of the surrounding forests and the capital below.

Blue Nile Gorge and Debre Libanos

After an early breakfast drive to the site of a 13th century monastery, Debre Libanos, built by the Ethiopian saint, Abune Teklehaimanot. Although the original church was destroyed, it is still a important pilgrimage site for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. As an added bonus, packs of the endemic Gelada Baboon are often seen nearby. Further down the road from Addis, an overlook provides outstanding views of the famous Blue Nile Gorge, which is on par with Arizona’s Grand Canyon. Enjoy a picnic lunch while enjoying the sights and songs of many of the native birds. Return to Addis through one of the famous teff growing regions of Ethiopia. (Teff is the grain from which the staple of Ethiopian cuisine, injera, is made.)

Wonchi Crater Lake

Sitting in the shadow of Mount Wonchi, Wonchi Crater Lake is the beautiful legacy of a once powerful volcano. A hiking path from the rim of the volcano meanders past small farms and forests to the lake below. An ancient island church, Cherkos, is accessible via a boat ride across the lake. For those not keen on walking, horseback in an option.

Adadi Mariam

Adadi Mariam is a subterranean rock-hewn church similar to those of Lalibela. This church is unique as it is the southern-most church of its type, and stands alone – no other rock-hewn churches are in the area. It has been surmised that King Lalibela ordered the construction of Adida Mariam for his visit to southern Ethiopia. The site dates to the 13th century, but is still an active site of worship. While it dates to around the same time as the Tiya stelae, and is only ~30km north of them, Adadi Mariam provides a strong contrast to the pagan-like aura at Tiya.

Tiya Stele

Close by the Adadi Mariam church are the stelae of Tiya. The monuments – 36 in all – are the remains of an ancient Ethiopian culture, standing between 1 and 2 meters in height. Excavations have revealed that the site is an ancient cemetery, housing the remains of both males and females, aged from 18 to 30. Dating to between the 10th and 15th centuries, the stelae are covered in symbols whose meaning remains unknown. The swords and other symbols carved into the rock are unique to themselves; no other symbols of their type have been discovered. Tiya is easily accessible off a main road from Addis Ababa. It has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is relatively untouched by tourism compared to other parts of Ethiopia.