Commonly known as Addis, Addis Ababa is a rapidly developing capital city of Ethiopia. Though it is merely a stopover for many, it carries many cultural and historical significances. Addis has several embassies and the headquarters of UNECA that focus on international diplomacy. Do not misguide by its term developing as it has monumental landmarks, museums, beautiful mosques and churches. Addis Ababa is not just a place to transit but to stop and explore.
Best Time to Visit
Addis Ababa has a subtropical climate and gets very hot in summers. The winter months from November to January is the best time to visit the city. Get discounted
Hotels in Addis Ababa from Goibibo.
Places to Visit
The National Museum of Ethiopia houses historic crafts and fossils, Holy Trinity Cathedral is a classic architectural art piece and burial place of the 20th-century emperor, Meskel Square and the neighbourhood of the Piazza district are known for their lively jazz clubs. Some other must-visit places include Ethnological Museum, Red Terror Museum, Washa Mikael Church, Lion of Judah & Churchill Avenue and Merkato Market.
Food and Restaurants
The culinary style of Ethiopian food is very unique and Addis Ababa is the best place to explore it. Injera- a sourdough flatbread without which the Ethiopian meals are almost incomplete, Tibs (sauteed beef chunks), Kitfo, Shiro be Kibbe, Doro Wat and Fir Fir are some of the dishes that you must try here. These dishes are made from local fresh produce that keep the local flavour intact and delights the taste buds. Ethiopians have their own coffee culture and you may find many coffee houses serving freshly brewed espresso, be it after breakfast or after dinner. Some of the known restaurants in the city you would like to try are Oda Cultural Restaurant and Cafe, Tikus Shiro, Yod Abyssinia, 2000 Habesha Cultural Restaurant, Chane’s Restaurant and more.
Transportation
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) is an international airport that connects it to the cities to Europe, America, Asia and parts of Africa.
Ethiopian Airlines connect India’s international airports like Delhi and Mumbai to Addis Ababa with non-stop
international flights, while
Saudia Airlines, Vistara and
Air India ply as connecting flights.
Cheap flight tickets from here to other popular cities can be booked online on Goibibo. Also, flight status & other details related to flight booking & air tickets can be easily accessed on it. So for the cheapest air tickets, it is recommended to book flights online. Taxis are easily available to get into the city from the airport. Several well-maintained highways and low roads t connect Addis to other cities. Train and bus services are also available here to travel long distances. The three major bus terminals in the city cover several parts of the city: Autobus Terra, Meskel Square and ASCO. Rental cars are also available if you wish to explore the city on your own. Locals mostly use blue-white mini buses and light rail that are fast and cover major places. For independent/ sole travel, you can hire taxis; the prices are negotiable.