Book a Flight to Addis Ababa from €599

National Museum of Ethiopia: The most important museum in the whole of Sub-Saharan Africa and a true treasury of Ethiopian civilisation, from the prehistoric period until the 20th century. The star of this valuable collection is the famous Lucy, the skeleton of man’s oldest ancestor, 3.2 million years old. Other fine exhibits include the 4th-century BC throne carved into rock, various luxury imperial items and the excellent works of contemporary art.
Address: King George VI Street.

Ethnographic Museum of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies: Housed in the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie, the fantastic Ethnographic Museum presents the whole cultural and social evolution of Ethiopia. Its valuable collection includes important works of folk and religious art, handicrafts and everyday items, set within an excellent narrative that follows the cycle of life. Make sure to visit the bedrooms and bathrooms of the last Ethiopian emperor, Haile Selassie.
Address: Algeria Street, Addis Ababa University.

Holy Trinity Cathedral: This impressive Orthodox church was founded in 1931 and is the second most important place of worship in Ethiopia. It is a grand architectural composition with tall towers, imposing sculptures and a bronze dome that inspires awe. Its interior is decorated with wonderful wall paintings by local artists, amazing stained-glass windows with scenes from the Old and New Testament, and two imperial thrones of ebony, ivory and marble. Its crypts host the granite tombs of Emperor Haile Selassie and his wife. 

St George’s Cathedral: Built on the peak of a hill with a view over Menelik II Square, this emblematic octagonal church made of stone (1896-1911) impresses the visitor with its wonderful wall paintings featuring scenes from the Bible and Ethiopian history. The adjacent museum houses the country’s best collection of religious relics, from rare ecclesiastical texts and crosses to imperial crowns and coronation robes. 

Mercato: Covering an area of 11 square kilometres and with over 200 vendors, the chaotic and busy Mercato is the largest open-air market in Africa. The heart of the city has beaten here since the 1930s, in among the stalls selling food, spices, coffee and local goods. Don't miss the opportunity to wander through its labyrinthine paths to experience its unique atmosphere. 

Mount Entoto: At an altitude of 3200 m above sea level, the peak of the verdant Mt Entoto is the tallest in Addis Ababa. It is worth taking a trip out here in order to enjoy the aroma of the eucalyptus trees and the most beautiful view of the city from high up. Make sure to visit the museum - the former palace of the Emperor Menelik II - and Entoto Maryam Cathedral, with its beautiful paintings. 

“Red Terror” Martyrs’ Memorial Museum: This small museum, which opened in 2010, tells a detailed and moving narrative of how horrific things were in Ethiopia under the Communist military Derg regime (1974-1987), known as the Red Terror. The fall of the Emperor Haile Selassie, the bloody Civil War and the hundreds of thousands of victims of the autocratic regime are brought to life through photographs and exhibition cases containing personal items of the victims. This museum provides a very powerful experience for those who wish to learn more about the country’s contemporary history.

Live the unforgettable experience of the famous Mercato. The largest open-air market in Africa is a colourful labyrinth of kiosks and stalls with thousands of products, from foods and household items, to handmade objects and local souvenirs. It would be an omission not to try the time-honoured method of haggling. You must definitely buy some genuine Ethiopian coffee, considered the best in the world. Other must buys are the excellent local jewellery made of gold or silver, crafted manuscripts and papyruses with prayers, traditional Ethiopian crosses (from wood or metal), CDs of local music, and wood-carved or painted religious triptychs. Other fun purchases include leather shields, spears and drums. 

Go to Churchill Avenue and the historic Piazza district to find small shops, stalls and beautiful boutiques selling all kinds of African products. For textiles of exceptional quality go to Entoto Market on Entoto Avenue. 

For Western-style shopping go to the upmarket Bole district where you will find many contemporary shopping malls. For the conscious ethical shopper, all roads lead to the Alert Handicraft Shop, where you can discover wonderful embroidered bags, pillows and other textile goods, all made by people with disabilities. At SoleRebels you will find unique funky shoes, certified by Fair Trade.

One of the many pleasant surprises in Ethiopia is the country's cuisine, unique in the whole of Africa. The national delicacy is the injera (a slightly sour flatbread made from the endemic tef wheat and with a pancake texture) accompanied by berbere, a hot mixture of spices that can be found in all sauces. These two form the basis of every traditional meal. 

Try wat (spicy stew of red meat, chicken, fish or vegetables), shiro (mashed chickpeas), messer (lentil curry), tibs (fried lamb with garlic, butter and vegetables) and kitfo (raw beef marinated in a spicy chilli powder). Accompany your meal with the excellent local wines and barley beers (talla), or a local drink such as tej (an alcoholic drink with a honey base) and kaitaka (alcoholic drink made from pure wheat). If you would like a snack, then do not miss the opportunity to try a kolo (roasted barley, served in cones on the street). In Addis Ababa you'll also find some excellent restaurants serving international cuisine, especially Italian and French, primarily in the Bole district. 

Relax in the lovely cafes of the Piazza district, enjoying an aromatic machiatto made from an authentic Ethiopian blend, or a local spris juice (a colourful fruit pulp served in layers and eaten with a spoon).

When night falls, there are many choices for your entertainment and for every taste. Addis Ababa has numerous pubs, excellent jazz clubs and Western-style nightclubs. Even so, it is worth experiencing the atmosphere of a traditional night out, with a stop at one of the azmari bets (a bar where wondering performers improvise spiritual lyrics about their audience and life) or at a tez bet (a bar where tez is served, with a mainly male crowd).

• Meskel: The discovery of the Holy Cross by the Roman Empress Helena is commemorated each year on 27 September (for 1600 years now) in a great festival in the historic Meskel square. The square is decorated with yellow daisies (forerunners of spring), while thousands of people watch the impressive service by priests, orchestras and school students. The ritual reaches its climax with the night-long lighting of a large pyramid in the centre of the square. 
• Great Ethiopian Run: Africa's most important long-distance race takes place on the last Sunday of November (since 2001) and attracts 20,000 runners. Come to enjoy the festival atmosphere and admire the top athletes - Olympic and world athletics champions - of Ethiopia in action. 
• Leddet: The Ethiopian Christmas is celebrated on 7 January (according to the old Julian calendar) with much festivity. In addition to the all-night church services, Ethiopians traditionally take part in the YeGena Chewata competitions (a form of hockey) that are held on these days. 
• Timkat: The annual celebration of the Epiphany (19 January) is one of most colourful religious festivals of Ethiopia. The most impressive spectacle of the event is the mass procession of the Tabot, where replicas of the Ark of the Covenant are transported to nearby lakes and rivers. The centre of the celebration in Addis Ababa is the Jan Meda Sports Ground.

Getting to and from the airport

Aegean Airlines lands at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, 8 km southeast of Addis Ababa. Here you can find duty-free stores and gift shops, restaurants, cafes, a bank and currency exchange bureau as well as a post office. There is also free Wi-Fi for connecting to the internet throughout the airport. 
The most reliable and safest way to reach the city centre is by taking one of the yellow-green taxis that belong to the Zé-Lucy cooperative (+251 93 848 3821) or one of the yellow taxis that belong to the private Adika Taxi company (8210). Most hotels in the city also offer transport to and from the airport.