Addis Ababa City Tour

Addis Ababa City Tour: Entoto Hill, National Museum & Merkato Market

Duration: 7–9 Hours
Explore the highlights of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s vibrant capital city, on a full-day tour combining history, culture, religion, and local life. Founded by Emperor Menelik II in 1887, Addis Ababa—meaning “New Flower”—offers a fascinating mix of historical landmarks, museums, churches, and bustling markets.

Entoto Hill

Begin your tour with a visit to Entoto Hill, the highest peak of the Entoto Mountains, rising to approximately 3,200 meters above sea level. The mountain overlooks Addis Ababa and holds great historical and religious significance. It was here that Emperor Menelik II resided before establishing Addis Ababa as his capital. Entoto is also considered a sacred mountain and is home to several historic monasteries and churches, including Saint Raguel and Saint Mary.

National Museum of Ethiopia

Continue to the National Museum of Ethiopia, home to some of the country’s most important archaeological and artistic treasures. The museum is particularly famous for its collection of early hominid fossils, including “Lucy,” the partial skeleton of Australopithecus afarensis, estimated to be around 3.2 million years old. The museum also features Selam, another remarkable early hominid fossil discovered in the Afar region.

Ethnological Museum

Visit the Ethnological Museum, located within the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie on the grounds of Addis Ababa University. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and fountains, the museum provides an engaging introduction to Ethiopia’s diverse cultural and social heritage. Its exhibits cover traditional lifestyles, customs, religious practices, art, and the history of Ethiopia’s many ethnic communities.

Holy Trinity Cathedral

Next, visit Holy Trinity Cathedral (Kidist Selassie), one of the most important Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo churches in Addis Ababa. The cathedral is an important historical and religious landmark and serves as the final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie I and Empress Menen Asfaw. It also contains the graves of members of the Imperial Family and Ethiopians associated with the country’s struggle against the Italian occupation.

Merkato

Conclude your city tour with a visit to Merkato, one of the largest and most vibrant open-air markets in Africa. Located in the Addis Ketema district, Merkato offers an authentic glimpse into everyday life in Addis Ababa. Explore its busy streets and market stalls, where you can find traditional clothing, spices, coffee, handicrafts, household goods, and a wide variety of locally produced products.