Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Top places to visit in Addis Ababa
6 places worth your time in Addis Ababa, with what each is actually like and when to go.
Last updated 2026-08-11
1. National Museum of Ethiopia
Photo: Richard van Alphen · Public domain · source
Home of Lucy, the 3.2-million-year-old Australopithecus skeleton, plus imperial regalia.
- Where: Near Addis Ababa University
- Map: Open in Maps
- Cost: Around ETB 200
2. Holy Trinity Cathedral
Photo: Chuunen Baka · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
The Ethiopian Orthodox cathedral where Haile Selassie is entombed, in ornate Ethiopian baroque.
3. Merkato
Photo: JanManu · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Reputedly the largest open-air market in Africa, arranged into trade quarters.
Watch outPickpocketing is organised and persistent here; go with someone local and carry nothing in outside pockets.
4. Entoto Hills
Photo: Ninaras · CC BY 4.0 · source
Eucalyptus-covered ridge above the city, with Menelik's palace and church at the top.
- Map: Open in Maps
- Best time: Clear mornings
- Tip: At 3,200m the climb is harder than it looks if you have just arrived.
5. Ethnological Museum
Photo: Konjo1 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Inside Haile Selassie's former palace, on Ethiopia's peoples, faiths and instruments.
6. Unity Park
Photo: Tadesserebecca · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
The restored imperial palace grounds, opened to the public with pavilions and a zoo.
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