| Reviews and photos of Addis Ababa attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Addis Ababa sightseeing. Addis Ababa Map |
 | Addis Ababa Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 88 |  |
 Addis Abeba, Ethnological
Museum by sachara
At the first floor you can find an outstanding exhibition of all the traditions of the country from birth to death, like childhood, games, rites, nomadism, body culture, traditional medicine, burial customs.
I was surprised about its beauty, quality and especially its originality. So, I enjoyed this part of the museum very much.
At the second floor you can find a thematic exhibition of all kinds of traditional music instruments and listen to the music too. There are also icons, Ethiopian crosses and other religious art exhibited at this floor.
In the museum you can also visit the bedroom and the bathroom of Haile Selassi.
Opening Hours:
8am till 5 pm at Tues Wed Thur Fri (closed at lunchtime from 11.30am till 1.30 pm)
10am till 6pm at Sat Sun.
Entrance fee: 20 birr Leave a Comment Directions: The museum is situated at the main campus of the University north of the centre near the Entoto road. To enter the campus you need an ID.
|
 | |  |
Visiting Addis Ababa?
Read reviews about Addis Ababa Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 by sachara
At the ground and first floor you will see a lot of archaeological and ethnological artefacts, like earthenware, pots, bowls and statues, focusing at the (pre)Aksumite, Solomonic and Gonder periods.
At the first floor you can find Ethiopian art. During our visit there was also the temporary World Press Exhibition. This was the second time during my Africa trip I saw this exhibition. (The first time was in Nigeria.)
The National Museum is one of the most important Sub-Saharan museums in Africa.
Opening hours:
8.30am - 5.30pm, Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri
9am -5.30pm, Sat Sun
Entrance fee: 10 Birr Leave a Comment Phone: 117150
|
| | |
Most ATM Machines in Addis Abbaba you see on the street are not connected to the major ATM worldwide networks. Outside of Addis Ababa you will not find ATM's at all. There are 2 machines (both pictured) that is provided by Dashen Bank and they are connected to major banking networks! They are located in the lobbies of the Sheraton Hotel and the Hilton Hotel. They are on the PLUS and VISA networks. Leave a Comment Directions: Sheraton Addis Taitu Street P.O. Box 6002 Addis Ababa, · Ethiopia Phone (251)(11) 5171717 · Fax (251)(11) 5172727Website: http://www.dashenbanksc.com/
|
This huge area is probably the biggest open air market in east Africa. The word comes from the italian word for "market". It is all the area around the main bus station where there are thousands of street stalls, little shops, covered markets, spice markets etc.
The most interesting area for tourists is the "Addis Gebeya" (New Market) a covered market in an independent building where you will find all kinds of souvenirs, Tshirts... Bargaining is compulsory here.
You can come on your own to Mercato but you will easily get lost. If you are looking for something in particular, take a guide. Many boys will come to you offering their services, take any and give him a generous tip (2-3 USD is more than enough). Leave a Comment Address: West of Churchill Avenue, near the bus station
|
This is my good friend and one time guide: Solomon Kasaye. Solomon was the first person I ever met in Ethiopia and we still keep in touch. He is a close friend and a very excellent guide. Would you like to see the real Ethiopia? Solomon is the man. He can show you how shared taxis work, take you to a chat house, any museum and also guide you throughout the beautiful rural south of Ethiopia. He really opened my eyes to what many tourists who never leave the hotel will not see. He also provides escort service to the Merkato and knows where and how the pickpockets operate. Please drop him an email if you would like to use his invaluable help. You can also email me if you need any help.
You can email him on:
imsolomonmensa@hotmail.com
- or -
gamoman2009@yahoo.com
All the best,
DAO Leave a Comment Website: imsolomonmensa@hotmail.com
|
Visiting Addis Ababa?
Read reviews about Addis Ababa Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
The Lion of Judah is the personal symbol of Emperor Haile Selassie I. This monument was one of several unveiled for the Emperor’s coronation in 1930 in Addis Ababa. In May 1936 the invading Italian army occupied Addis Ababa and began to make plans to seize the monuments they liked to send back as spoils of war to Rome. They demolished several monuments to Emperor Menelik. The Lion of Judea, despite weighing several tons, was shipped of to Rome and erected next to the large white Vittorio Emanuelle Monument in time for the 4th anniversary of the declaration of the New (Fascist) Italian Empire. A young Eritrean named Zerai Deres was marching in a parade when he realised he was looking at the looted monument, the personal symbol of his Emperor. The young man attacked and killed at least one Italian military officer with a ceremonial sword he was carrying. Deres was finally subdued and killed. From that day he has been known as an Ethiopian Patriot.
The statue was repatriated in the 1960’s while Emperor Haile Selassie was still in power. It is made from black granite, so it’s very dark. No, it’s not my camera. There are images in relief of Haile Selassie and Emperors Menelik II. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
As the name suggests, this area is a legacy of the Italian invasion era, and it still retains a bit of an Italian flavor. Castelli's, THE best Italian restaurant, is located here, as well as countless of Italian restaurants of varying quality.
The are also may gold and silver smiths, bookstores, coffeehouses, cake shops, and tailors to be found in the winding streets of the Piazza. Leave a Comment Directions: Follow Churchill uphill until you reach the Piazza
|
 University's main campus by sachara
Walking around in the park of the University's Campus we saw more artefacts, but also nice statues and fountains. Leave a Comment Directions: North of the citycentre.
|
Want to go to Somalia? SOMALILAND is the peaceful and Independent part of Somalia and an excellent place to go for a visit. Before you go you must have a visa PRIOR to arrival by airplane or on a land border. There are only 5 ‘Embassies’ for Somaliland in the world: USA, UK, Italy, Ethiopia and Djibouti. This tip is about my very easy and friendly experience with their office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Embassy in Addis Ababa has a few security concerns so they do not advertise their address or have any markings on their building. Do not worry! My Taxi driver knew the general directions off Bole Rd. and we stopped and asked the neighbours until we found it. It is in a very rich neighbourhood. They are open Monday – Friday 8:30am-12:30pm and 2:00pm-3:30pm. I arrived without contacting them beforehand, but I took my passport, 2 passport photos and $40. They finished it in about 10 minutes. That’s it. If you want better directions, just telephone their office ahead of time. They speak English.
If you live in a country that does not have a representative, either get it in Addis Ababa or contact the closest Embassy by telephone or email and arrange to do it by post. They even have the Visa Form you can download here:
SOMALILAND GOVERNMENT
All Passport holders need a visa and they seem to accept everyone without question.
Due to space limitations on VT I have listed their 5 Embassies on the tip below this one! Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 Addis Ababa by sachara
Addis Abeba is a mix of the past and the present, the city and the small-town feel, the modern apartment buildings and the small houses with zinc roofs.
At some places the city is hilly and intersected by some rivers and green valleys.
In the Piazza area with many hotels, cafes and bars, you can see the legacy of the very short Italian occupation. We stayed in this area.
You can see Addis Abeba in a few days. There are some interesting museums and the Merkato, the largest market in Africa. Leave a Comment
|
|
|
