Africa / Ethiopia
Places to go. A little room to wander.
THE SHORTLIST
Addis Ababa
Opened in October 2019 this is one of the must see sights in Addis Ababa. The expansive site is home to the Palace of Emperor Menelik II, including his Throne Room and Banquet Hall, along with a zoo, exhibitions, sculptures, and wonderful beds of flowers. It is probably the best presented site in Ethiopia, the pet project of the Prime Minister, whose office is also on the site. Allow 2-3 hours to visit.
Allow about 60 minutes · planning estimate
off Niger St, Arat Kilo area, Arada subcity
It was built to commemorate the country's liberation from the Italians, and many victims killed by the Italians during occupation are buried here. Surrounding the cathedral is a cemetery with notable Ethiopians, including Patriarchs, Prime Ministers, athletes, musicians, and football commentators! The suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst is buried in the churchyard. There is a small museum in the site and a number of smaller churches. As with all churches in Ethiopia shoes must be left outside.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
King George VI St
A poorly displayed but interesting museum. The most famous exhibit is the replica of Lucy, an early hominid. With Ethiopian civilization being one of the oldest in the world, the artefacts within the museum span thousands of years, including some from its earliest days. A wide variety of artefacts are featured, from sculptures to clothing to artwork. Both traditional and modern art are featured.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Bole Rd, Meskel Sq
About those who lost their lives in the time of the Derg. Opened in 2010 with an excellent, modern style of display. Visited in 2019 the building was in a fairly poor state with none of the lights seemingly working. Worth a quick visit, won’t take more than 15 minutes. The memorial does not set out to be an encyclopaedic collection but to be a simple and powerful reminder.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Algeria St
Also known as the Museum and Library of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies, this is a fascinating museum with exhibits about the history and culture of Ethiopia. There are many displays of the various ethnic groups found in Ethiopia with information about each of their lifestyles. Ethnic outfits, instruments, tools, and other artefacts accompany each ethnic exhibit, making it one of the most interesting museums in the city. It is housed in the former palace of the Emperor Haile Selassie, and you can visit his bedroom. The museum is on the university campus.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
A note before you go. Start with Unity Park, then decide whether Holy Trinity Cathedral deserves a separate visit rather than rushing both. The suggested days are an editable grouping, not a timed tour. Visit allowances exclude transfers, meals and queues; confirm the exact entrance and current visiting arrangements for Ethnological Museum before setting off.
Reference material retrieved 2026-10-19. Suggested days and time allowances are editorial starting points. Check the linked visitor information for opening hours, access, and reservations.
BEFORE YOU SET OFF
Very few streets have names and those that do may not be named correctly on a map; use landmarks to navigate the city. Blue and white minibuses/taxis travel quite efficiently around town. To catch a minibus, stand on the side of the road and hail it. This can be done anywhere it is possible for the bus to stop. You pay the conductor when he signals to you that he wants money (which might take a few minutes). To get change. To get out say "woraj alle", or just "woraj".
Unity Park and Holy Trinity Cathedral are about 0.7 km apart in a straight line. Use the route link to compare the actual streets or transport connections before putting both in the same morning; the measurement is not a walking distance or a transfer estimate.
A LITTLE STRUCTURE. ROOM FOR DISCOVERY.
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This city guide includes selected, abridged material by Wikivoyage contributors, adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. The adapted guide text is available under the same license; photographs and website design retain their separate terms. Selected and abridged reference descriptions; operational prices and timetables omitted. Elsewhere added the shortlist, geographic grouping and planning notes.
Reference material retrieved 2026-10-19. It is community-edited background, not firsthand reporting or a live opening-hours service.
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