Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital city, translates as 'New Flower,' a fitting name for this bustling, contemporary metropolis that epitomises Ethiopia's transformation from the challenging 1980s to today's country. It is the world's third-highest capital city, sitting between 2,350 and 2,600 meters above sea level. A day or two here is ideal for acclimating to the altitude, an almost continuous aspect of travel throughout the country. Addis Ababa is Africa's diplomatic capital and fourth-largest city, with almost 3.5 million people. The African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) have their headquarters here as well (ECA). The famed market called the Merkato, St Georges and Trinity Cathedrals locally, and the busy Piazza are all worth spending a couple of days in the city investigating. The National Museum, which puts everything you'll see on your Ethiopian excursion into context, is perhaps the most helpful stop on an Addis Ababa city tour. It also houses the (half) skeleton of 'Lucy,' one of the earliest humanoids discovered in Ethiopia, if not the entire world. For visitors looking to enjoy a taste of traditional city life, there are plenty of excellent restaurants and bars which we would encourage you to visit, whilst the numerous jazz clubs are the perfect spot to indulge yourselves after dinner. The excellent Ethiopian Airlines have an extensive network of international flights to Addis from the UK, Europe, United States, and Asia and cover almost the entire African continent with their superb regional services. To have a fantastic experience with the best of this city, make sure to check off some of the highlights listed in our top 10 reasons to visit Addis Ababa. Capital- Addis Ababa International Airport - Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) Population- 5,005,524 Currency- Ethiopian birr Time - GMT+3 Driving side- Right Main electricity- 220V Official Language- Amharic Religion- Judaism
The Mercato, which derives its name from the Italian market, claims Africa's largest open-air market. St. George's Cathedral is one of Addis Ababa's most well-known worship and icons. Meskel Square in Addis Ababa serves as a focal point for the city, particularly during festivals and political rallies. After the cathedrals of Lalibela, the Holy Trinity Cathedral is the most sacred Ethiopian Orthodox church in the city and one of Ethiopia's most holy locations of devotion. Mount Entoto, the highest peak overlooking the capital, was where Menelik II established a camp in 1881. Considered sacred, the monasteries in this area include churches dedicated to Saint Raguel and St Mary (Maryam). There's also an observatory on the summit that belongs to the Ethiopian Space Science Society. Entoto Natural Park, a watershed between the Awash and Blue Nile rivers, is being restored by the Ethiopian Heritage Trust. Addis Ababa hotels vary from good-quality Ethiopian-owned hotels to some genuinely great international brands, with the Sheraton Addis. Ababa is undoubtedly the leading hotel in the country and offers genuine luxury. For visitors looking to enjoy a taste of traditional city life, there are plenty of excellent restaurants and bars which we would encourage you to visit, whilst the numerous jazz clubs are the perfect spot to indulge yourselves after dinner. The excellent Ethiopian Airlines have an extensive network of international flights to Addis from the UK, Europe, United States, and Asia and cover almost the entire African continent with their superb regional services.
