With expert tour guide, get the best first-time visitors’ orientation to Addis Ababa's history, culture, food, and sights.
Explore Addis Ababa from a local's perspective visiting popular sites. With a private air-conditioned vehicle, drive through both Addis's most scenic and unique areas only locals know.
Customize this 8 - 9 hours private tour in Addis Ababa including
- Seeing the fossil remains of Lucy at the National Museum of Ethiopia
- Visiting Holy Trinity Cathedral or Saint George Cathedral – Addis Ababa’s most notable religious sites
- Enjoying stunning views of Addis Ababa from Mount Entoto
- Driving on main streets in Addis to see the city’s popular monuments, squares, landmarks, and
- Visiting Merkato Market and the Ethnological Museum
With this Viator’s “Badge of Excellence” awardee tour, meet locals in Addis Ababa at their home. Attend a traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony and learn preparing Ethiopian cuisine.
This tour is flexible to customize to your interests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Tour escort/host
✔ In-vehicle air conditioning
✔ Hotel/Airport pickup and drop-off with private air conditioned vehicle
✔ Bottled water
✔ Professional experienced English speaking tour guide
✔ Lunch
✔ Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Attendance
✖ Gratuities
✖ Visits to Merkato Market on Sundays and National Museum of Ethiopia on Mondays. They are closed.
Pickup Locations
1. Addissinia Hotel
2. Friendship International Hotel
3. Hill Spring Hotel
4. Harmony Hotel
5. BON Plaza Hotel Addis Ababa
6. Ark Hotel Addis
7. Top Ten Hotel
8. Magnolia Hotel
9. Eliana Hotel
10. Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa
11. Abyssinia Renaissance Hotel
12. Adot-Tina Hotel
13. Monarch Hotel
14. Southern Addis Hotel
15. Kersay Hotel
16. Edna Addis Hotel
17. Hotel Lobelia
18. Tirar International Hotel
19. Grand Yordanos Hotel
20. The Lion's Den Hotel
Additional Info: Addis Ababa Bole International Airport if you are just arriving OR ANY HOTEL, LODGE, LOCATION in Addis Ababa
Itinerary
1
St. George's Cathedral
Saint George Cathedral is one of the oldest religious sites in Addis Ababa. This historical church is famous for its octagonal architecture.
Inside Saint George Cathedral, admire mosaics depicting biblical scenes like the visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon.
See also hand paintings showing historical/political events related with Emperor Haile Sillassie and Ethio-Italo II War.
These wonderful paintings and mosaics are done by the famous Ethiopian Maître Artist Afework Tekle.
You will also visit the museum of Saint George Cathedral to see a number of historical and religious artifacts.
Duration: 45 minutes
2
National Museum of Ethiopia
Gain a deeper understanding of the human evolutionary history visiting the National Museum of Ethiopia. See the famous Lucy fossil, a 3.2 million-year-old Australopithecus Afarensis, and learn Ethiopia’s crucial role in understanding human evolution.
Visit the historical evolution section of the museum to explore the rise and fall of the powerful Aksumite Empire, learn the influence of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and delve into the complexities of modern Ethiopia's history.
On the first floor of the National Museum of Ethiopia, you’ll be presented with Ethiopians artistic talents. See ancient paintings and sculptures to contemporary masterpieces.
You’ll also gain a wider view to the diverse cultures and traditions of Ethiopia through traditional clothing, tools, and household items from various regions presented on the second floor of the museum.
Duration: 60 minutes
3
Mount Entoto
Drive through the Eucalyptus forest to Entoto Hill. From an elevation of 3,200 meters above sea level, enjoy the panoramic view of Addis Ababa. For cultural experience, you’ll have a LOCAL FAMILY VISIT and attend TYPICAL ETHIOPIAN COFFEE CEREMONY.
As this is a flexible private tour, you can choose to do the following at Mount Entoto,
- Take a leisurely hike in Entoto Park
- Visit the Entoto Maryam Church and
- See the palace of Emperor Menelik II (the oldest in Addis Ababa)
Near Mount Entoto, stop at Shiro Meda Market. Browse through a variety of stalls selling an array of goods, from colorful textiles and spices to handmade crafts and souvenirs. At Chiromeda Market, shop for beautiful pottery, woven baskets, intricate jewelry, and other unique Ethiopian souvenirs.
Duration: 2 hours
4
Mercato Market
Get assisted by your tour guide to walk in the most scenic and cultural parts of Merkato (the biggest in Africa). Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells.
Experience the vibrant atmosphere, bustling energy, and diverse sensory overload that local markets offer.
Discover unique sections of Merkato Market where items like False Banana Tree bread, traditional Ethiopian food ingredients and spices are presented for sale.
Bargaining for selling prices is the rule of trading at Merkato. You’re your tour guide; practice your bargaining skills in a friendly and culturally appropriate way.
At Addis Mercato, you can shop for hand woven dresses, grass baskets and other authentic souvenirs that truly represent the Ethiopian local culture.
Exploring the Chat (mild stimulant leaves) section, browsing the second-hand goods market, and checking out the recycling sections at Merkato Market are all worthwhile experiences.
Duration: 60 minutes
5
Ethnological Museum
Enjoy a guided tour of 1 hour to the Ethnological Museum. Found in the compound of the Addis Ababa University, IES Ethnographic Museum is one of the best museums in Africa.
On the ground floor of the Ethnographic museum, visit two exhibition rooms. The first is dedicated to Ethiopia’s Victory over Italians at the battle of Adwa (1896).
The second one honors famous Ethiopian poets, writers, and translators who were influential in Ethiopia’s literature.
The main part of the Ethnological Museum is on the first floor. On this floor, see varieties of exhibits that highlight the different ethnic groups of Ethiopia.
Know the background and history of people of Ethiopia seeing displays presented in life cycle – from birth, childhood, and adulthood to death.
See bedrooms and bathrooms of Emperor Haile Selassie I and Empress Menen.
On the second floor of the Ethnological Museum, learn more about Ethiopia’s religious art and traditional musical instruments.
Entance fee is 200 ETB per adult
Duration: 60 minutes
6
Lion of Judah
Drive on the main streets of Addis Ababa to visit historical monuments such as the Lion of Judah
7
Meskel Square
Stop at Meskel Square - the main square in Addis Ababa which is named after a colorful religious ceremony of Meskel (finding of the True Cross of Jesus Christ)
Duration: 10 minutes
Additional info
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
