Overview
** ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA TOURS **
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We only had a layover and didn’t get to fully experience Ethiopia. However, our experience was not good. When we arrived we missed our connecting flight to South Africa due to a 6-hour delay from China. This was our first time flying with Ethiopia Airlines and we’ve never flown then again (that was in 2015).
The airport was empty and there was no electricity and we couldn’t use our cards and they only took USD or Ethiopia money but was we didn’t play to be stuck there we didn’t have any of the two currencies.
However, the food was great and the people were nice in understanding our situation.
We definitely have to give Ethiopia another chance and reading the below reviews gives up hope!
I must say that Ethiopia has the most amazing food. And well for those who love coffee , disclaimer i am not a coffee person, but my travel partner mentioned that the coffee was great and delicious.
Ethiopia has very friendly people and very beautiful people – especially the women , African beauties. :) So beautiful people and personalities. We felt relatively safe in Addis Ababa , i mean we were aware of pick pockets in the markets and all , but we did not make it into the markets as it is also hard to communicate with the cab drivers – and not wanting to be charged a high price to get to certain places. /Next time i would get a tour guide or one of my colleagues that live there.
We went to the :
1. National Museum of Ethiopia – very informative on the history and everything that has transpired in Ethiopia. The museum also has great art work. There is a lovely restaurant next door to the museum with great Ethiopian food and a great vibes.
2. Mount Entoto for the city views
3. Holy Trinity Cathedral
4. St. George’s Catherdral
I wouldn’t recommend to fly to Ethiopia right now due to the political situation/ issues it’s unsafe in certain cities but as soon as it gets better one of the things I can recommend is the Boston Day Spa in Addis Abeba – Bole. It’s a Spa where you can get your nails and hair done get a great massage waxing treatments etc. it’s very clean and the staff are really friendly. Prices are higher than other Spas in Ethiopia but it’s still cheap. And they speak good English too. They have specials for couples or honeymoon as well!
The food in Addis Ababa can be really good, but also a little risky. For the most part, eating out usually is a great experience. However, it can be more expensive than expected for a city like it.
Addis Ababa is one of my favorite destinations. If your planning to travel to this large city I would recommend you to stay in Bolè.
Located near the airport it’s a quick taxi ride into the heart of Bolè. You have several options for lodging such as Radisson Blu, Hilton Addis Ababa, and Capital Hotel. FYI, these hotels are nice however, they have several business travelers at times and have a western feel. Bolè has a handful of local boutique hotels that are luxurious and affordable.
Bolè is a safe space. You have cafès like Galani Coffee, Garden of Coffee and YA Coffee Roasters. Also, support coffee vendors on the street, sit on a stool, converse and enjoy the vibe. Shopping is everywhere on Namibia and Cameroon street. Merkato is one of the largest markets in Addis. Do bring a translator to do the bidding. If you are looking for more luxury shopping Edna Mall is the place for you.
We do work to travel so Co-working spaces are nearby such as BlueSpace Ethiopia and Iceaddis.
If you looking to turn up a little the nightclubs, lounges, and beautiful/cool people cover the Bolè area. Clubs like Beakal, Club Illusion, and A/V Club are a good start.
To get to the Danikil Depression, take a flight from Addis Ababa to Mekele. There you will find various tour companies. I chose a group tour with ETT. They were a safe a reliable company. I wanted to hike Erte Ale Volcano, but my time was too short. So I opted for just the tour to Danakil which was a two day tour. The first day you visit the salt flats lakes of Dallol. The sunset there was amazing. Afterwards we went back to the campsite. We slept outside on cots underneath the stars. It was was an amazing experience. You just have to get comfortable with the fact that you won’t have anywhere to shower and have to go to the bathroom behind a pile of rocks. They served dinner that night and breakfast that morning. Both vegetarian but pretty good. The next day was the Depression. The landscape made you feel like you were on another planet. The whole experience was unforgettable and I would recommend it to anyone.
I was only in Addis for a few days so I made sure to prioritize the amazing food. One of my favourite restaurants was the Yod Abyssinia Traditional Restaurant. Not only do they have amazing food, they also put on a 2-hour long show at 8pm with traditional entertainment including dancers. It’s very popular and gets packed fast so I recommend making a reservation. If you can go during the week, it’s less busy than the weekends.
I also loved the traditional setting, you sit in these beautiful Ethiopian style stools. It also has Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten Free Options.
The Lamb Tibs were my favourite item off the menu, but all the food I had was good.
It was my first time in Addis. It’s a largely populated city so get used to large crowds and some crazy drivers and traffic. Similar to being in a NY or DC. So many amazing local food spots to got get authentic Ethiopian food and also experience live cultural shows displaying dance and clothes from the many tribes around the country. Nightlife is insane out here. The party goes on till 6am. The clubs are no different than American ones as far as quality and looks. So many beautiful people out having a great time. Cost is very cheap in comparison to US dollars so you’ll be living very comfortable. Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries in the world so lots of rich history. so there are some big museums about major events in Addis. Also it’s surrounded by mountains so you have the chance to go hike the Entoto mountains and really see Addis and all its beauty.
Going to Addis was very affordable because I was staying with family at the time. It is very inexpensive to do things around there, however there is not much to do. I went to a few museums in which I learned about slavery and corruption in Ethiopia which was very interesting.
Danakil Depressions in Dallol. Although this is known as the hottest place on earth, the weather was actually comfortable. This sight was absolutely breathtaking and stinky. Looks like your on planet Mars. This volcanic mountain is full of sulfur dioxide but the smell is overshadowed by the beautiful colors and rock formations.
What I love most about Ethiopia is the food. You can’t just eat good food and not talk about it.
The food experience was epic the raw meat with beriberi although I couldn’t get it past my throat its something I would however, try again.
The way their make popcorn in most local restaurant and some small seeds i cant recall the name just makes the drink twice as good.
I did and can eat injera everyday. Looove , love the taste.
The pineapple upside down cake from Sheraton is a must try for those sweet tooth
Of course coffee …. you can’t say Ethiopia without coffee coming up
Addis Ababa, most commonly known as simply Addis, is the capital and largest city in Ethiopia. Located at 2400 meters, Addis Ababa is known for being the world’s third highest city. Addis Ababa has a lot to offer. Offering anything from nutritious, delicious food to unique traditional attire, this East African destination is a must-visit for anyone who is looking for an existing cultural experience. Depending on where you are traveling from, various airlines offer flights to Addis Ababa Ethiopia on a daily basis. From North America, Ethiopian airlines provides a direct flight from Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, and Chicago. There are also direct flights offered from Ethiopian airlines and other airlines from South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Addis is one of the fastest growing cities in Africa. There are a lot of new hotels to stay in that provide quality customer service. Check out Sheraton Addis (Sheraton Addis), Radisson Blue Hotel (Radisson Blue Hotel), Capital Hotel (Capital Hotel), and Marriott Executive Apartments (Marriott Executive Apartments) in Addis for your next visit. You will not be disappointed. If you prefer to stay in an AirBnB, try to find homes in the Bole, or Ayat neighborhoods. Getting to Addis is probably the only thing that will break your bank and if you buy your flight tickets during the cheap seasons (October through mid-December or February through mid-March), you can get away with a $700-800 ticket from the United States. Once you get there, a lot of things are really cheap. You can get quality AirBnBs at great locations for as low as $20/day. Food is inexpensive as well. A reasonable breakfast, lunch and dinner would cost you no more than $15/day or less (all together). The best thing about traveling to Addis is that everyone is so friendly and wants to help make your experience one to remember. If you are lost, or need to get somewhere, just ask one of the locals. They will happily direct you to where you need to go. There is accessible transportation everywhere. There are taxis, rideshares and trains that will get you where you need to go. Be aware of the heavy traffic during rush-hour though. There are plenty of things to do in Addis. The night life is a lot of fun. You can meet people from all over the world in one of the bars and lounges. There are a lot of churches in the city to go to and observe the historical significance of the Christianity in Ethiopian politics and tradition. The coffee culture is strong in Ethiopia and you will witness that with the crowds in the various coffee shops and stalls at almost every corner. If you want a scenery change, do visit the nearby cities of Bishoftu, Hawassa, and Nazareth. If you are willing to go further, definitely visit the 11 rock-hewn churches for some history, the Semein Mountains National park for hiking, and the Danakil Depression to experience the lowest, hottest spot on Earth.
I’m using Addis Ababa as my destination for my short vacations. I like their cold weather and tasing them coffee and living their night loudly life.
Beautiful Ethiopia this was one of my Best Trips ever!!! was traveling with my Mom and Aunt we decided that every year we would do a vacation spot together.Ethiopia was our destination 2 weeks trip, we started in Addis Ababa for 3 Days visiting the Museums ,Palaces and Churches.. we went to the Holy Trinity cathedral where the Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie and Empress Menen was laid to rest in their (Mausoleum).we enjoyed the food Injera and tibs was my favorite with Tej Honey Wine.. also we visited Traditional markets , Shashamane City, Wondo Genet also must visit Mount Entoto and museum of Emperor Menelik 1 and the oldest church in Ethiopia …overall the experience and history I gain In Ethiopia I will Cherish for a lifetime…
Ethiopia! “The land of timeless appeal”
I had a 13hour layover in Ethiopia and took advantage of exploring this historical place. If you have a long layover, I recommend you going to the tourist information desk and they will provide you with a hotel and shuttle once you finish your visa process. Once that is done, take advantage of the food! Which is so flavorful and delicious.
In regards to things to do in Addis Ababa, they have lots of museums to visit. I visited the national museum and the postal museum. However, for the price of the postal museum, I wouldn’t do it again.
They have a lot of markets around to shop at, which offer beautiful hand made crafts and traditional clothing. It was nice to meet the locals and learn about their business.
If I had more time, I would definitely explore other cities in Ethiopia. They have beautiful mountains and land which I was unable to visit. But next time I will do so! ?
Ethiopia is a culturally rich and very diverse nation. It is one of the fastest growing countries in the world. Things to do in the capital include:
– Visiting Yod Abyssinia Traditional Restuarant, (the evening entertainment is everything)
– Aladdin Italian Restuarant
– Entoto Hill (Including the Maryam Entoto Church)
– The home of Emporer Menelik on Entoto
– Ethiopia National Museum
– Traditional Coffee Ceremony (Available everywhere)
– Ethnological Museum
– Visit the African Union (Although you may not be able to get in)
I had a ball in Addis. Wish I could have stayed longer. I remember breaking $20US for a massage and getting 100’s of thousands of Ethiopian Birr in change. Something crazy like that. Food was amazing service was great. They were doing construction on a lot of things when I was there so it looked like a developing country for several blocks and then we pulled in our Hotel Panarama? and it was this four star gem surrounded y dirt roads. Great place though and beautiful people.
Ethiopia different from any country I’ve ever been to. I spent 10 Days in Ethiopia. My first 5 Days I spent them in the Danakil Depression. A MUST SEE ! I can’t recommend it enough. We spelt outside under the stars. I’ve never seen anything like it before it was beautiful. The afar people were humble and very nice. Very welcoming. I didn’t enjoy Addis Ababa. Wasn’t much to do or see you can get to all the major tourist attractions in one or two days.
Ethiopia – The Land of Origins! I happened to have a 17 hour lay over in Ethiopia (by choice) and wish it could have been longer! I started my day at 8am and wondered around the streets of Addis Ababa. I visited the National Museum of Ethiopian where the LUCY is housed – the world’s most famous early human ancestor, the 3.2-million-year-old ape “Lucy” was the first Australopithecus afarensis skeleton ever found, and her remains are here. Along with tons of history and artifacts! After that I head to Merkato – Africa’s largest open air market. There are over 16,000 workers and shops here making it hard to cover in one day! I have been to markets all over Asia before and this was nothing like I had every experienced. Organized chaos at his finest! Eating in Ethiopia is NOT to be missed as the food was incredible! Coffee – plan to drink about a cup an hour! And to take some home!! For dinner – there are tones of restaurants with traditional food and dancing that are great! If you’re short on time, or unsure about Ethiopia – do it on a layover, many African airlines stop here, and most will provide a free hotel for layovers longer than 8 hours!