- 1 Addis Ababa Museum, Bole Rd / Airport Rd / Africa Ave (near Meskel Square). Tu–F 08:30–12:30, 13:30–17:30; Sa 08:30–11:30. Focuses on artefacts and exhibits from Addis Ababa. The building was once a palace where Ras Biru Habte-Gabriel, a former Minister of War, resided.
- 4 National Museum of Ethiopia, King George VI St (between Arat Kilo Ave and the University of Addis Ababa Graduate School). 08:30–17:00. A poorly displayed but interesting museum. The most famous exhibit is the replica of Lucy, an early hominid. With Ethiopian civilization being one of the oldest in the world, the artefacts within the museum span thousands of years, including some from its earliest days. A wide variety of artefacts are featured, from sculptures to clothing to artwork. Both traditional and modern art are featured. Much of the museum is undergoing renovation and closed. (updated Oct 2024)
- 5 The Zoological Natural History Museum, Queen Elizabeth II St (at the University campus). Tu–Su 09:00–11:45, 13:30–16:30. Founded in 1955, the museum reportedly displays about 1100 species of African animals.
- 6 "Red Terror" Martyrs Memorial Museum, Bole Rd, Meskel Sq (adjacent to Meskel Sq), ☏ +251 11 850 6730. Daily 08:00–18:30. About those who lost their lives in the time of the Derg. Opened in 2010 with an excellent, modern style of display. Visited in 2019 the building was in a fairly poor state with none of the lights seemingly working. Worth a quick visit, won’t take more than 15 minutes. The memorial does not set out to be an encyclopaedic collection but to be a simple and powerful reminder. Donation. (updated Jan 2020)
Addis Ababa travel guide
Plan a trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — things to do, where to stay, food, transport, and local tips. Start with Ethiopian Railway Museum, Yima Dernisse Street, Ethnological Museum, Algeria St, Gola Saint Michael Church, city centre, Medhane Alem Cathedral, Cameroon St, Bole subcity.
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Stays in Addis Ababa
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Compare hotels and apartments in Addis Ababa — neighbourhood vibe, price, and walkability in one search.
- Stay near a metro line if you plan museum-hopping days.
- Read recent reviews for noise — central streets can be loud at night.
- Flexible cancellation helps when flight times shift.
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Flights in Addis Ababa
Aviasales
Find flights into Addis Ababa and compare fares across airlines in one place.
- Compare nearby airports — sometimes a short train ride beats a pricey hub.
- Midweek departures are often cheaper than Friday/Sunday peaks.
- Set a flexible ±3 day search when your dates can move.
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Experiences in Addis Ababa
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Tours, food walks, day trips and city activities around Addis Ababa — book ahead and skip the guesswork.
- Book popular tours early in peak season — small-group slots go first.
- Day trips often include hotel pickup; check the meeting point.
- Look for free-cancellation options if the weather looks unstable.
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Tickets in Addis Ababa
Tiqets
Skip lines and grab attraction tickets for Addis Ababa — museums, landmarks, and city passes.
- Book popular museums and towers ahead — timed slots sell out on weekends.
- Mobile tickets are usually scanned at the gate; keep offline screenshots as backup.
- Combo passes can be cheaper when you plan 2–3 big sights in one day.
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Transfers in Addis Ababa
Kiwitaxi
Private airport and city transfers for Addis Ababa — fixed price, driver waiting for you.
- Pre-book airport transfers when landing late or with heavy luggage.
- Meet-and-greet at arrivals beats hunting taxis after a long flight.
- Confirm child seats / extra stops when you reserve.
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Cars in Addis Ababa
GetRentacar
Rent a car around Addis Ababa for day trips and countryside — flexible pickup options.
- Compare full-to-full fuel policies — they save hassle at return.
- Check congestion / limited-traffic zones before driving into historic centres.
- Book early for weekends and holidays; automatic cars go first.
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eSIM in Addis Ababa
Yesim
Travel eSIM data for visiting Addis Ababa — online as soon as you land, no kiosk queues.
- Install the eSIM before you fly; activate on landing.
- Confirm your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible.
- Keep a small local SIM as backup if you need a local number for calls.