Addis Ababa - View from the Ramada Addis Ababa

Meaning “new flower” in Amharic, Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia, an East African country, known for its diverse landscape, rich culture, and food. Addis Ababa is the country’s political and commercial hub, home to businesses such as Ethiopian airlines, international organizations such as the United Nations, and regional organizations such as the African Union. '

Founded in the 19th century by Ethiopian Emperor Menelik II and his wife Empress Taytu Betul, Addis Ababa has an elaborate history, spanning culture, political relations, and economic development. Present day Addis continues to experience tremendous growth and economic expansion, while retaining its customs and culture. With its vast history, religious sites, growing art and jazz scene, and food and culture, Addis Ababa offers a range of things to do.

Do you have an upcoming trip to or possibly a long layover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia? Are you interested in things to do and attractions to visit in Addis Ababa? This is for you! Read below for an overview of top sights to visit and a sample 2 day itinerary of how I spent my 48 hour layover in Addis Ababa.

Attractions to visit in Addis Ababa

Museums

Ethnological Museum

Located on the Sidist Kilo (main) campus of Addis Ababa University and hosted in Haile Selassie’s former palace is the Ethnological museum. The museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing Ethiopia's rich culture and history, and hosts a diverse range of artifacts and handicrafts.

Red Terror Martyrs Memorial Museum

Established in 2010, the museum honors those who lost their lives during the Red Terror campaign carried out by the Derg Regime. The exhibits showcase photographs and belongings of the victims, skulls and bones, as well as coffins and instruments of torture, and serves as a remind of the traumatic lived experiences under the regime.

National Museum of Ethiopia

Home to Lucy (skeletal remains discovered in Ethiopia, which date back to 3.2 millions years ago), the Ethiopian National museum is known for its archaeological finds and also hosts historical and cultural artifacts.

Cathedrals

St. George’s Cathedral

Distinguished by its distinctive octagon shape, St. George’s Cathedral was named after the patron saint of Ethiopia, St. George, and built to commemorate the defeat of the Italians at the Battle of Adwa.

Holy Trinity Cathedral

An important place of worship, the Holy Trinity Cathedral was established during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie. The church’s structure is distinguished by its large dome, pinnacles, and many statues. Internally it has stained glass windows that depict scenes from the old and new testament. It is also the resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie and his wife Empress Menen Asfaw.

Parks

Unity Park

Inaugurated in 2019, Unity Park is a recreational and cultural attraction located within the compound of the National Palace of Ethiopia, and is home to a zoo, park and botanical garden, and historical buildings, including a museum. The compound was the site of the Grand Palace built by Menelik II in 1890 and served as residence to leaders of the country. Transforming the park is part of beautification initiatives to promote tourism and the opportunity to learn about the country’s history and diverse culture.

Here’s How I spent my 48 Hours:

With a 48 hour layover in Addis Ababa, below is a detailed itinerary of how I spent my time. Do Note that I visited during Ethiopian Christmas (which is the first week of January), therefore public institutions and most restaurants and shops were closed.

DAY ONE:

Focus: Learn about history and eat good food

Learn about Addis Ababa’s history at the Addis Ababa Museum

As I mentioned, Addis Ababa has an expansive history. To understand its founding story, stop by the Addis Ababa Museum to learn more. The museum is small but contains information about the city's history, which is tied to Ethiopia’s imperial era, and it provides an overview of historic events that shaped Addis. Situated right behind the Red Terror Museum and overlooking Meskel Square is where you’ll find the Museum. After visiting, step outside to the patio and enjoy the grand view of Meskel Square.

Take in the View at Meskel Square

As a major square in the city, this open space is used for public gatherings, demonstrations, and festivals. It’s a nice open space to visit and take in the magnitude and grandness of the area. To get a panoramic view of the square stop by the patio of the Addis Ababa Museum otherwise feel free to walk the square. The area can be very busy, so as you would in any major city, be aware of your surroundings and belongings.

Catch your breath and Relax for a moment at the Hyatt Regency

Located across the street from the Red Terror Museum and Meskel Square is the Hyatt Regency. It’s sleek, grand, luxurious, and a recent addition to the Addis Ababa scene, having opened its doors in 2019. After visiting sights close by such as the Red Terror Museum or Meskel Square, head over to the Hyatt for a nice relaxing and refreshing break.

Visit Lucy at the National Museum of Ethiopia

Lucy at the National Museum of Ethiopia

Thrown from a Previous Emperor, National Museum of Ethiopia

The National Museum of Ethiopia provides an introduction into Ethiopia’s history, culture, and arts. The museum is home to local archaeological finds such as Lucy, as well as other artistic treasures. The museum is divided into four floors and takes you on an informative journey. The journey begins at the basement level, which is dedicated to archaeology and paleoanthropology. Then to the first floor, which showcases objects from ancient and medieval times, as well as items from former Ethiopian Emperors. The second floor shows a variety of artwork, while the third floor features different ethnographic artifacts, which is where the journey concludes. I truly enjoyed the insight this museum provided into Ethiopian culture and life; I loved viewing the artwork and learning about history. When next you’re in town, stop by the National Museum for a nice historic overview, it’s very informative!

Take in Greenery and Architecture at Addis Ababa University

Located in close proximity to the National Museum of Ethiopia, the University’s campus contains nice greenery as well as historic buildings. If you’re in the neighborhood and interested in strolling the campus or relaxing on a bench, stop by!

Witness a Cultural Performance and eat Delicious food at 2000 Habesha

Apart from being interested in the country’s history and culture, another significant reason I wanted to visit Ethiopia is the FOOD. I love that Ethiopian food is rich with flavour and is vegetarian friendly. While in the motherland, I was excited to eat locally prepared food, and eager to learn about the spices, cooking methods, and food types.

To experience local cuisine and see a show, I headed to 2000 Habesha Cultural Restaurant. Located in Bole, 2000 Habesha is a staple with locals and tourists, offering a spectacular cultural performance and a food buffet. Keep in mind opinions on the food can vary; in my experience, the food was lovely and the show great.

When visiting for dinner and the show, make a reservation ahead of time as the restaurant gets busy and fully booked. As you plan to visit, be aware of the following: costs, which is on the pricier end, the noise level, which is high due to the music and singing, and the space, which becomes very packed, as large groups (tourists, locals, businesses, etc) come for the experience.

DAY TWO:

Focus: Explore neighborhoods, wander, and eat more food

Another reminder: I visited during the period of Ethiopian Christmas, a major holiday where public sites and most restaurants and shops were closed. As a result, this impacted my itinerary and the second day (half) of my trip was spent walking and wandering different neighborhoods. Major Tip: If you’re visiting Addis, be aware of upcoming public holidays or events that could impact your trip and plan accordingly.

Walk around Africa Park

Africa Park extends from Menelik Palace to the Africa Hall and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) building and is centrally located close to major sites. If you’re in the area, visiting the ECA or lounging at the Sheraton, take a quick stroll by Africa Park. When I walked the park, the main areas were closed for construction and the area was quiet. But by the time you visit, I hope it’s reopened and offers its full range of activities.

Relax poolside at the Hilton

Similarly to any major city, Addis is busy, hectic, and populated, where finding a calm and green oasis requires intent. What I discovered through my random walks were the hidden oases provided by hotels. These beautiful and luxurious structures create calm spaces by weaving in greenery, providing pools and activity centers to destress, and by blocking out noise from the city through its architecture. When you enter, you’re taken into another depth of relaxation, forgetting altogether that you’re surrounded by a major city.

If you’re interested in stepping into this wonder that I call Addis’s hidden Oasis, begin by stopping by the Hilton. Although it’s an older structure compared to the Sheraton or Hyatt Regency, the Hilton offers a beautiful pool lounging area and an adjacent space for sports activities. Stop by, relax by the pool, and enjoy this gem.

Marvel at the Sheraton

It’s a notable structure….visible from a distance. It resembles a palace and commands the space around it. It’s grand, magnificent, and it will take your breath away. Funny enough it's not the imperial or national palace, rather it’s none other than the Sheraton Addis Ababa, and this hotel deserves a visit.

While you’re there, admire the grounds: especially the majestic interior and Venetian courtyard, grab cake from its famous bakery, and spend time relaxing by the magnificent pool. Hopefully the beauty and calmness of this space will serve as your hidden oasis and provide you with much needed tranquility, as it did for me. Enjoy.

Grab Ice Cream at Tutto and Walk Namibia Street in Bole

A favorite way I enjoy getting to know a new city is through walking around different neighborhoods... and visiting Addis was no different. I often scope out neighborhoods through online research, recommendations from locals, or by spotting them while driving around. While in Addis, I stayed in the Bole neighborhood, which is home to a variety of restaurants, malls, and boutiques. The area around Namibia street stood out to me and a particular ice cream shop on Namibia named Tutto, caught my eye. With a cone in one hand and curiosity in the other, it’s from this shop I began my exploration. I walked Namibia Street all the way to Airport road, taking in and absorbing the life that was happening around me.

Bole neighborhood and Walking around as a Solo Female Traveler

While walking around I noticed various restaurants and shops, buildings being developed, and people going about their daily lives. Other notable observations were the amount of stray dogs and groups of young boys just walking or playing as well. A notable absence was the lack of women. It struck me as I thought “where are the women?”

As a solo female traveler, safety is always a priority. While walking I took precaution by being vigilant and aware of my surroundings as well as the people around me. I shared my location with family and I walked in daylight in busier areas vs alone on quiet streets or in the night.

Witness a Cultural Performance and Eat Delicious Food at Yod Abyssinia

Similar to 2000 Habesha, Yod Abyssinia is a restaurant, which provides a cultural show and dinner combination. With two locations in Addis, I visited the restaurant in Bole. Compared to 2000 Habesha, Yod Abyssinia offers a similar price point, but a notable difference is that the food is ordered and served à la carte, not buffet style as is done at Habesha. In my experience the food and show at Yod were lovely as well. As you prepare to visit, keep in mind that the restaurant gets very busy and packed, with both tourists and locals, and can be noisy, due to the cultural performance and music. If you’re deciding between 2000 Habesha or Yod Abyssinia, you won’t go wrong with either. Enjoy!