What are the best things to do in Addis Ababa?
Top picks in Addis Ababa include Addis Ababa Museum, Ethiopian Railway Museum, Ethnological Museum, National Museum of Ethiopia. See the full list and itinerary on this Addis Ababa travel guide.
Photo: Abshewaga · CC BY-SA 4.0
Why visit Addis Ababa
Travel guide for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Addis Ababa is a stop in Ethiopia, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Addis Ababa Museum, Ethiopian Railway Museum, Ethnological Museum instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 25–80 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: The dry season for the most comfortable travel. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
The dry season for the most comfortable travel
Weather
Largely warm year-round with distinct wet and dry seasons
Experiences
Things to do in Addis Ababa
1
Addis Ababa Museum
2
Ethiopian Railway Museum
3
Ethnological Museum
4
National Museum of Ethiopia
5
The Zoological Natural History Museum
6
"Red Terror" Martyrs Memorial Museum
7
Anwar Mosque
8
Gola Saint Michael Church
Budget travel
Free things to do in Addis Ababa
"Red Terror" Martyrs Memorial Museum
Anwar Mosque
Gola Saint Michael Church
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Addis Ababa itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Addis Ababa Museum
- Visit Ethiopian Railway Museum
- Visit Ethnological Museum
- Eat at Purple Cafe
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit National Museum of Ethiopia
- Visit The Zoological Natural History Museum
- Visit "Red Terror" Martyrs Memorial Museum
- Eat at National Cafe
- 3
Day 3
Markets, parks & hidden corners
- Visit Anwar Mosque
- Visit Gola Saint Michael Church
- Visit Entoto Mountain
- Eat at Finfine Restaurant
Budget
Addis Ababa trip cost
Budget
USD 15–35
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 25–80
per person / day
Luxury
USD 90–150+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Addis Ababa
Estimated total (USD)
$1,725
≈ $863 per person · $246 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $50/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Addis Ababa mid-range ground costs (budget 15–35 · mid 25–80 · luxury 90–150+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Purple Cafe
has delicious cakes and pastries as well as high quality Ethiopian espresso coffees or machiattos. You can sit on the porch and watch the ac
National Cafe
Reasonable prices and good food. From injera to club sandwich.
Finfine Restaurant
Ethiopian restaurant, vegetarian menu available.
Yohannes Kitfo Bet
Ethiopian restaurant with outdoor seating.
Antica
Decent pizza, and one of the only delivery services available in Addis that does not require bulk orders. Pizza tends to arrive cold.
Bruno's
A quiet, tucked-away Italian restaurant, it has some of the best pizza in the city, on a beautiful compound. Parking is extremely limited bo
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Itegue Taitu Hotel
Rooms are mostly clean and have good and large beds. Good value for money, very quiet. Only toilets and shower are in despicable condition.
Baro Hotel
One of the cheapest options in Piazza. Small restaurant on site but very limited and expensive food selection. Old decor and cramped, but de
Wutma Hotel
Some good and clean rooms, some not so much, so have a look first. Restaurant downstairs that often has UK Premier League and other foodball
Holiday Hotel
Axum Hotel
Shopping
- The mercato
- Shiromeda Market
- Friendship Hypermarket
- Edna Mall (closed for refurbishment)
- Dembel City Center
- Getu Commercial centre
Nightlife
- Black Rose Lounge
- Dome Club
- Gaslight
- Illusion
- Beemnet
- Kaldi's Coffee
Museums & culture
- Addis Ababa Museum
- Ethiopian Railway Museum
- Ethnological Museum
- National Museum of Ethiopia
- The Zoological Natural History Museum
- "Red Terror" Martyrs Memorial Museum
In pictures
Addis Ababa gallery
Photos: Abshewaga, Ondřej Žváček, Sailko, DaneyWiki — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Addis Ababa travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
The dry season for the most comfortable travel.
How many days do I need in Addis Ababa?
Plan at least 3 days in Addis Ababa for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Addis Ababa?
Popular stays in Addis Ababa include Itegue Taitu Hotel, Baro Hotel, Wutma Hotel. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Addis Ababa cost?
On the ground in Addis Ababa (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 15–35 per person per day, mid-range about 25–80, and luxury about 90–150+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
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