What to do in Addis Ababa

Activities, attractions and tours

Panorama of the Capital City of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
Panorama of the Capital City of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
Rapid development of central business district with modern skyscrapers of downtown of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Aerial view of beautiful cityscape with modern skyscrapers and residential buildings, Ghiliffalegn Stream, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Outside the St. George Church in Addis on festival day a large number of vendors are selling colorful umbrellas. #LifeAtExpedia

Addis Ababa Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Addis Ababa has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Addis Ababa is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Addis Ababa to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Addis Ababa Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Addis Ababa.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Addis Ababa attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Most fun & popular experiences in Addis Ababa

Tours & day trips

See all 195 activities
NEW Addis Ababa City Tour, Unity Park, Bob Marley Statue & Palace

NEW Addis Ababa City Tour, Unity Park, Bob Marley Statue & Palace

Activity duration is 3 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $137 per traveller*
NEW Addis Ababa City Tour, Unity Park, Bob Marley Statue & PalaceOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

See all 107 activities
Addis Ababa & Mount Entoto View Point, Museums Palace,Market Tour

Addis Ababa & Mount Entoto View Point, Museums Palace,Market Tour

Activity duration is 6 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 5 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $103 per adult
Addis Ababa & Mount Entoto View Point, Museums Palace,Market TourOpens in new tab

Air, helicopter & balloon tours

See all 14 activities
12- Day Historical Route of Ethiopia

12- Day Historical Route of Ethiopia

Activity duration is 12 days
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $3,551 per adult
12- Day Historical Route of EthiopiaOpens in new tab

Shopping & fashion

See all 5 activities
Addis Ababa at a Glance

Addis Ababa at a Glance

Activity duration is 6 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $134 per adult*
Addis Ababa at a GlanceOpens in new tab

Classes & workshops

See all 5 activities
Ethiopian Cooking Class and Coffee Ceremony with a Local in Addis with tran...

Ethiopian Cooking Class and Coffee Ceremony with a Local in Addis with tran...

Activity duration is 4 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $309 per adult*
Ethiopian Cooking Class and Coffee Ceremony with a Local in Addis with tran...Opens in new tab

Recommended things to do in Addis Ababa

Number of things to do
205
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Plaza Premium Lounge at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport(ADD): CA $54
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Addis Ababa

Discover the most popular places to visit in Addis Ababa

African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

African Union Headquarters

4/5(5 reviews)

African Union Headquarters is just one of the places to see in Addis Ababa, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Discover the mountain views and cathedral in this culturally rich area.

African Union Headquarters
Medhane Alem Cathedral in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Medhane Alem Church

5/5(3 reviews)

Medhane Alem Church is just one of the places to see in Addis Ababa, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Visit the area's spas, or simply enjoy its bars.

Medhane Alem Church
The church of the Holy Trinity, Addis Ababa

Holy Trinity Cathedral

4.5/5(11 reviews)

After visiting Holy Trinity Cathedral, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Addis Ababa. Find some time to visit the cathedral or monuments in this culturally rich area.

Holy Trinity Cathedral

U.S. Embassy

After visiting U.S. Embassy, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Addis Ababa. Take some time to visit the spas in this culturally rich area.

U.S. Embassy

Meskel Square

4/5(9 reviews)

You can learn about the history of Addis Ababa with a trip to Meskel Square. Experience the art scene and museums in this culturally rich area.

Meskel Square

Addis Ababa Stadium

3.5/5(2 reviews)

Catch an event at Addis Ababa Stadium during your trip to Addis Ababa. Take in the art scene and mountain views in this culturally rich area.

Addis Ababa Stadium

Nigeria Embassy

Nigeria Embassy is just one of the places to see in Addis Ababa, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Find some time to visit the cathedral or monuments in this culturally rich area.

Nigeria Embassy

Addis Ababa University

4/5(8 reviews)

Enjoy the collegiate vibe when you visit Addis Ababa University, during your trip to Addis Ababa. Take in the art scene and mountain views in this culturally rich area.

Addis Ababa University

Shola Market

4/5(5 reviews)

During your visit to Addis Ababa, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Shola Market. Discover the art scene and cathedral in this culturally rich area.

Shola Market

Explore areas of Addis Ababa

Bole area of Addis Ababa

Bole

4/5(34 area reviews)

Unique features of Bole include the spas and bars. Make a stop by Selam City Mall or Century Mall while you're exploring the area.

Bole
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Kirkos

4/5(4 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the mountain views and museums in Kirkos. You might want to make time for a stop at Meskel Square or Addis Ababa Stadium.

Kirkos
Bole Medhane Alem Church

Kazanchis

While visiting Kazanchis, you might make a stop by sights like ECA Conference Center and Africa Hall.

Kazanchis
Entoto Maryam Church

Yeka

2.5/5(5 area reviews)

Yeka is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Shola Market and Zefmesh Grand Mall.

Yeka
Go to any Ethiopian restaurant across the country and ask for a beyayenetu aka fasting platter... so many flavours in one meal 😋 I learnt that for almost 200 days of the year, people across Ethiopia fast - which basically means they eat no animal products. Vegans

Nifas Silk-Lafto

Travelers like the art galleries in Nifas Silk-Lafto, and Zoma Museum is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Nifas Silk-Lafto
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Lideta

While visiting Lideta, you might make a stop by sights like Addis Ababa National Archives and Library and Derg Monument.

Lideta

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Addis Ababa

Panoramic view encompassing the forested and hilly shores of Lake Bishoftu, a crater lake in central Ethiopia south of Addis Ababa

Bishoftu

Frequently asked questions

Is Addis Ababa worth visiting?
Famous for its history and culture, finding awesome things to do in Addis Ababa is a cinch. Be sure to add Medhane Alem Church to your trip itinerary while here.
How do I spend a day in Addis Ababa?
After you've visited major attractions like National Museum of Ethiopia and Lela Gallery, spend the rest of your day experiencing the retail and food options in Addis Ababa.
What is the top tourist attraction in Addis Ababa?
Medhane Alem Church is one of the top tourist attractions in Addis Ababa and should be high on every sightseeing itinerary of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Addis Ababa?
You can easily tour leading sights like Medhane Alem Church, National Museum of Ethiopia and Holy Trinity Cathedral with a three-day stay in Addis Ababa. On average, many travellers book four days here. There's plenty to discover nearby too, so stay a while longer and head to Bishoftu.
Is Addis Ababa a walkable city?
It all comes down to what you'd like to see and do in Addis Ababa. Several sights, including Medhane Alem Church and National Museum of Ethiopia, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a stroll around some of Addis Ababa's best neighbourhoods, Bole is 3 kilometres away from downtown, while Kirkos is 2 kilometres away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Addis Ababa with kids?
Planning what to do in Addis Ababa with kids has never been easier. Whether you're taking a trip with teenagers or toddlers, there are loads of family-friendly sights to keep them happy here.

What to do in Addis Ababa for adults?
There are lots of things to do in Addis Ababa, with experiences for adults of all ages. Round off your day with a visit to African Union Headquarters or World Bank Ethiopia.
Are there free things to do in Addis Ababa?
In Addis Ababa, Medhane Alem Church is a must-see spot for anyone wishing to see the city without opening their wallet. Also, check out the local neighbourhoods and parks, and ask for ideas from a local tour guide. It's a simple way to learn about the best free things to do in Addis Ababa.

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