Ethiopia · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Ethiopia
These are the coffee houses, restaurants, churches, markets, hikes and stays that make an Ethiopia trip, spread from the capital to the historic north, Harar and the south. Places marked unconfirmed may have changed or closed, so check locally before you go, and check current travel advice for each region.
Places to Visit in Addis Ababa
Arts and Culture
- National Museum of Ethiopia (Arat Kilo)
See Lucy, the famous early human skeleton, and other fossils that tell the story of humankind. - Ethnological Museum (Sidist Kilo)
Set in Haile Selassie's former palace, it is one of the finest museums in Africa on the country's many peoples. - Holy Trinity Cathedral (Arat Kilo)
The grand cathedral holding the tombs of Emperor Haile Selassie and Empress Menen. - Red Terror Martyrs' Memorial Museum (Meskel Square)
A moving, personal account of the Derg years told by survivors. - Entoto Maryam Church (Entoto)
The hilltop church where Emperor Menelik II was crowned, with a small museum and city views. - Zoma Museum (Mekanisa)
An earth-built art space with gardens, sculpture and a café.
Things to Do
- Unity Park (Grand Palace)
Palace rooms, gardens and black-maned lions inside the historic Grand Palace grounds. - St George's Cathedral (Piassa)
An octagonal cathedral with murals and a museum of imperial treasures. - Debre Libanos Monastery (Debre Libanos)
A historic monastery above a gorge, with the Portuguese Bridge and gelada nearby.
Nature and Outdoors
- Entoto Park (Entoto)
Forest trails, viewpoints and cafés on the hills above the city, perfect for easing into the altitude. - Wenchi Crater Lake (Ambo road)
A green crater lake with horse rides and a monastery island, a scenic day trip from the capital.
Shopping and Markets
- Merkato (Addis Ketema)
A vast open-air market where you can lose hours among spices, baskets and recycled goods. - Shiro Meda Market (Shiro Meda)
Stalls of handwoven cotton scarves, dresses and gabi shawls at local prices.
Cafés
- Tomoca Coffee (Piassa)
The historic roaster that has served strong macchiato to the city since the 1950s. - Alem Bunna (Bole)
A busy local coffee chain where office workers grab a quick macchiato. - Kaldi's Coffee (Bole)
Ethiopia's popular coffee chain, a reliable stop for a cake and a cappuccino.
Restaurants
- Yod Abyssinia (Bole)
A big cultural restaurant with dancers and singers from across the country each evening. - 2000 Habesha Cultural Restaurant (Bole)
Traditional dishes with an evening show of music and dances from many regions. - Kategna (Bole)
A popular modern spot for kitfo, firfir and traditional breakfasts. - Sishu (Bole)
A favourite for its burgers and sliders when you need a break from injera. - Castelli Restaurant (Piassa)
A historic Italian restaurant serving pasta in old-world style since the 1940s.
Bars and Nightlife
- Fendika Cultural Center (Kazanchis)
Live azmari music and Ethio-jazz in a much-loved cultural venue.
Stays
- Sheraton Addis (Lideta)
A landmark hotel with gardens and pools, used for many big events. - Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa (Meskel Square)
A modern hotel overlooking Meskel Square, convenient for the centre. - Taitu Hotel (Piassa)
The city's oldest hotel, founded by Empress Taitu, full of character in the old centre. - Ethiopian Skylight Hotel (Bole)
A huge airport hotel ideal for early flights and long layovers.
Events
- Meskel Celebration (Meskel Square)
Huge crowds and a giant bonfire mark the finding of the True Cross each September. - Timkat at Jan Meda (Jan Meda)
Processions, chanting and the blessing of the waters at Epiphany each January. - Great Ethiopian Run (Meskel Square)
A massive, joyful street race each November that anyone can join.
Places to Visit in Lalibela
Arts and Culture
- Bete Giyorgis (West group)
The cross-shaped church carved straight down into the rock, the icon of Lalibela. - Bete Medhane Alem (Northern group)
Thought to be the largest monolithic church in the world, ringed by massive columns. - Bete Maryam (Northern group)
Perhaps the oldest church in town, with richly painted ceilings and carvings. - Bete Amanuel (Eastern group)
Finely carved walls and a dark tunnel walk that guides love to explain. - Yemrehanna Kristos (Outside Lalibela)
An older church built inside a cave, worth the drive for its setting. - Na'akuto La'ab (Outside Lalibela)
A small cave monastery with dripping holy water and old manuscripts.
Nature and Outdoors
- Asheton Maryam Monastery (Above town)
A steep walk or mule ride to a cliff monastery with huge views.
Restaurants
- Ben Abeba (Hillside)
A spiral-shaped restaurant on the ridge, famous for sunsets over the valley.
Events
- Genna at Lalibela (Churches)
Thousands of pilgrims gather for Orthodox Christmas in early January.
Shopping and Markets
- Lalibela Saturday Market (Town)
A big weekly market where farmers come in from the hills.
Places to Visit in Gondar
Arts and Culture
- Fasil Ghebbi (Royal Enclosure)
The walled compound of castles that gave Gondar its fame. - Debre Berhan Selassie Church (East of centre)
Rows of winged angels' faces cover the ceiling of this beautiful church. - Fasilides' Bath (North-west of centre)
A stone pavilion in a pool, wrapped in fig roots and the scene of Timkat. - Kuskuam Palace (Outside town)
Hilltop ruins of Empress Mentewab's palace with quiet views.
Events
- Timkat at Fasilides' Bath (Fasilides' Bath)
The faithful leap into the blessed pool in one of Ethiopia's most joyful festivals.
Restaurants
- Four Sisters Restaurant (Town centre)
Traditional food and decor run by four sisters, with cultural evenings.
Cafés
- Piazza cafés (Piazza)
Italian-era streets lined with cafés for macchiato and cake.
Stays
- Goha Hotel (Hilltop)
A long-running hotel on the hill with views over the city.
Shopping and Markets
- Gondar Market (Town centre)
A busy market for baskets, spices and cotton cloth.
Places to Visit in Bahir Dar
Arts and Culture
- Ura Kidane Mehret (Zege Peninsula)
A round church covered in vivid paintings, reached by boat across Lake Tana. - Azwa Maryam (Zege Peninsula)
A painted monastery church in the coffee forests of the peninsula. - Kebran Gabriel (Lake Tana)
An island monastery close to town, open to men only.
Nature and Outdoors
- Blue Nile Falls (Tis Abay)
Thundering falls reached on foot across an old Portuguese bridge. - Blue Nile outflow boat trip (Lake Tana)
Boats seek hippos where the Blue Nile leaves the lake. - Bezawit Hill (Bahir Dar)
Sunset views over the river from beside Haile Selassie's former palace.
Things to Do
- Lakeside promenade (Lake Tana)
Walk or cycle the palm-lined shore and watch papyrus tankwa boats.
Shopping and Markets
- Bahir Dar Market (Town centre)
Baskets, cotton cloth and spices in a busy local market.
Restaurants
- Kuriftu Resort and Spa Bahir Dar (Lakeside)
Lakeside dining and a spa in a relaxing resort.
Places to Visit in Harar
Arts and Culture
- Harar Jugol (Old town)
The walled old town of colourful lanes, mosques and shrines. - Rimbaud House (Old town)
An ornate merchant's house with photos of old Harar and the poet's story. - Sherif Harar City Museum (Old town)
A private collection of coins, weapons and manuscripts in an old house. - Shrine of Sheikh Abadir (Old town)
One of the most revered shrines in a city of hundreds.
Things to Do
- Hyena feeding (Outside the walls)
Watch hyena men feed wild hyenas by hand after dark. - Dire Dawa old town (Dire Dawa)
A railway town with French-era buildings and a busy Kafira market.
Shopping and Markets
- Smugglers' Market (Old town)
Goods from across the region crowd this lively market. - Harar Spice Lanes (Old town)
Narrow lanes scented with spices, incense and coffee.
Cafés
- Harar coffee houses (Old town)
Taste coffee made from the famous Harar beans, often spiced.
Places to Visit in Simien Mountains
Nature and Outdoors
- Imet Gogo viewpoint (Geech)
A dizzying cliff-edge viewpoint over the lowlands. - Gelada watching at Sankaber (Sankaber)
Sit quietly among grazing troops of gelada monkeys. - Chennek (Chennek)
The best place to spot walia ibex and soaring lammergeiers. - Ras Dashen (Eastern Simien)
Climb Ethiopia's highest mountain on a multi-day trek. - Jinbar Waterfall (Geech)
A huge waterfall plunging into a deep gorge. - Bwahit Pass (Chennek)
A high pass with chances of Ethiopian wolves.
Things to Do
- Simien Mountains National Park Headquarters (Debark)
Where treks start, with scouts and guides arranged.
Stays
- Limalimo Lodge (Park edge)
A design-led eco lodge with spectacular escarpment views. - Geech Campsite (Geech)
The classic campsite on the trekking route.
Places to Visit in Aksum
Arts and Culture
- Aksum Stelae Park (Aksum)
Ancient carved obelisks from the Aksumite kingdom. - Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion (Aksum)
Said to hold the Ark of the Covenant in its chapel.
Places to Visit in Arba Minch
Nature and Outdoors
- Nechisar National Park (Arba Minch)
Zebras, gazelles and the Bridge of God between two lakes. - Crocodile Market (Lake Chamo)
Boat trip to see huge Nile crocodiles basking on the shore.
Arts and Culture
- Dorze Village (Chencha)
Visit beehive-shaped homes and weavers in the highlands.
Stays
- Paradise Lodge (Arba Minch)
A lodge with sweeping views over two Rift Valley lakes.
Places to Visit in Hawassa
Nature and Outdoors
- Hawassa Fish Market (Lake Hawassa)
Fresh fish fried on the shore as birds circle overhead. - Amora Gedel Park (Lake Hawassa)
A lakeside park with monkeys and sunset views.
Places to Visit in Bale Mountains
Nature and Outdoors
- Sanetti Plateau (Bale Mountains National Park)
Best place in the world to see the Ethiopian wolf. - Harenna Forest (Bale Mountains National Park)
A cloud forest of mosses and wild coffee.
Stays
- Bale Mountain Lodge (Harenna Forest)
A remote forest lodge in the heart of the park.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Friendship Park (Arat Kilo, Addis Ababa)
A landscaped riverside park with fountains, lawns and evening light shows. - Garden of Coffee (Bole, Addis Ababa)
A calm garden café known for its carefully brewed Ethiopian single origins. - Mokarar Coffee (Piassa, Addis Ababa)
A tiny old-school roastery and café in the old city centre, loved by locals. - Lucy Restaurant (Arat Kilo, Addis Ababa)
A garden restaurant beside the National Museum serving Ethiopian and international plates. - Totot Traditional Restaurant (Megenagna, Addis Ababa)
Known for Gurage-style kitfo in a lively, traditional setting. - Gusto Ristorante (Bole, Addis Ababa)
A long-standing Italian restaurant for an easy dinner near the hotels. - Effoi Pizza (Bole, Addis Ababa)
Wood-fired pizza with a local twist, popular with young Addis. - Konjo Fasting Food (Bole, Addis Ababa)
A local spot for colourful vegan beyaynetu on fasting days. - Mama's Kitchen (Bole, Addis Ababa)
A small, buzzing bar with live music and a friendly crowd. - Jazzamba Lounge (Piassa, Addis Ababa)
A jazz venue in the old Taitu Hotel building that keeps Ethio-jazz alive. - Black Rose (Bole, Addis Ababa)
A rooftop bar and lounge with a lively weekend scene. - Club H2O (Bole, Addis Ababa)
One of the city's late-night dance spots for a big weekend out. - Haile Grand Addis Ababa (Bole, Addis Ababa)
A comfortable hotel owned by running legend Haile Gebrselassie. - Addis Ababa University Museum of Modern Art (Sidist Kilo, Addis Ababa)
Changing exhibitions of contemporary Ethiopian art in a quiet campus building. - Unique Restaurant (Town centre, Lalibela)
A simple family-run place serving home-style injera and fasting food. - Seven Olives Hotel Restaurant (Town centre, Lalibela)
A garden restaurant in one of the town's oldest hotels. - Torpedo Tej Bet (Town centre, Lalibela)
Try tej honey wine with azmari singers in a local tej house. - Maribela Hotel (Hillside, Lalibela)
A mid-range hotel with balconies looking out over the valley. - Mezena Lodge (Outside town, Lalibela)
A quiet lodge with stone cottages and wide mountain views. - Wolleka Village (Outside town, Gondar)
A former Beta Israel village recalling Ethiopia's Jewish community. - Habesha Kitfo (Piazza, Gondar)
A local spot for kitfo and fresh injera. - Gondar tej bets (Town centre, Gondar)
Small honey wine houses with azmari singers improvising verses. - Florida International Hotel (Town, Gondar)
A comfortable modern hotel close to the centre. - Narga Selassie (Dek Island, Bahir Dar)
An eighteenth-century church on a remote island, built by Empress Mentewab. - Desset Lodge Restaurant (Lakeside, Bahir Dar)
Simple lakeside meals with fresh fish from Lake Tana. - Wude Coffee (Town centre, Bahir Dar)
A popular local café for coffee and pastries. - Balageru Cultural Club (Town centre, Bahir Dar)
Live traditional music and shoulder-shaking eskista dancing. - Grand Resort and Spa (Lakeside, Bahir Dar)
A large lakeside hotel with gardens and a private jetty. - Abay Minch Lodge (Riverside, Bahir Dar)
Round stone cottages in gardens near the Blue Nile. - Harari Cultural House (Old town, Harar)
A traditional Harari home showing raised rooms, baskets and painted plates. - Basket weavers of Harar (Old town, Harar)
Colourful Harari baskets made by women in the old town. - Hirut Restaurant (Old town, Harar)
Home-style Harari dishes such as hulbat served in a family setting. - Rewda Guesthouse (Old town, Harar)
Sleep in a traditional Harari home with carpets and painted walls. - Wonderland Hotel (Outside the walls, Harar)
A modern hotel with simple comfortable rooms. - Ashura in Harar (Old town, Harar)
A local festival marked with gatherings and feeding of the hyenas. - Kondudo Mountain (Outside Harar, Harar)
Wild horses roam this rugged mountain east of the city. - Simien Lodge (Buyit Ras, Simien Mountains)
One of the highest lodges in Africa, close to the geladas.