The capital
Almost every trip begins in Addis Ababa, home to Bole airport, the country's best museums, coffee houses and live music. Spend at least two days here, both to see the city and to adjust to the altitude.
The historic north
The classic historic route runs through the Amhara region. Bahir Dar sits on Lake Tana, with island monasteries and the Blue Nile Falls. Gondar holds the castles of the old royal capital, and is the base for trekking in the Simien Mountains, home to gelada monkeys and some of Africa's highest peaks. Lalibela has the famous churches carved down into solid rock.
Amhara has seen armed conflict since 2023, and many governments advise against all or all but essential travel to much of the region. Check current advice before you book, and fly between towns rather than drive if travel is possible.
The east
Harar is an ancient walled Muslim city of colourful lanes, markets and the hyena men who feed wild hyenas at dusk. It is reached by flying to Dire Dawa.
The south and beyond
The Rift Valley lakes, the Bale Mountains and the Omo Valley are also popular, and are covered in our places to visit list. Aksum and Tigray's rock churches in the far north are extraordinary, but check advice carefully, as the region is still recovering from war.
How to combine them
A week covers Addis Ababa and two or three stops in the north or Harar, using domestic flights. Two weeks lets you add trekking or the south. Use the free trip planner to build a route around flights, festivals and current advice.