Discover where human beings originated from with a visit to ‘Lucy‘ in the National Museum!

The 3.2-million-year old early hominid skeleton was unearthed in the far reaches of the Afar region of Ethiopia in 1974 and is thought to be an Australopithecus Afarensis, from which humans evolved.

After seeing Lucy, take a stroll around the museum to explore the rest of the collection, which includes precious stelae and statues from Axum, royal family memorabilia from the former emperors of Ethiopia, and famous works of art.

Sip the world's best coffee!

Ethiopia is the land of the finest Arabica coffee, and you can grab a steaming mug of rich black coffee at any of the cafés, traditional coffee stalls, bars, and restaurants all over the city.

The rich brew is roasted by hand, ground using a mortar and pestle, and brewed in a traditional clay coffee pot known as a Jebena.

Addis Mercato market, is crowded, chaotic, and full of character.

Stretching for miles, it’s one of the largest open-air markets in Africa and sells everything and anything you can think of.

Word of caution – the market is notorious for pickpockets, so don’t take any valuables with you and hide your cash. And we recommend going with a guide or local friend who knows the area.

This is a vibrant, energetic spot that serves delicious local food, and hosts nightly live music, song and dance performances which draw jostling crowds.

Another must-do when exploring Addis Ababa is to visit the tomb of the country’s most famous leader – Emperor Haile Selassie and his wife, Empress Menen Asfaw.

The Aksumite-style granite tombs can be found at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, which is worth seeing itself for its magnificent neo-Gothic architecture and beautiful stained-glass windows.

Entrance to the cathedral and the section with the tombs is 200 Birr, and the cemetery outside is also worth a look – the iconic British suffragette, Sylvia Pankhurst is buried here.

If you want to gain a better understanding of the cultural and social history of Ethiopia, then spend a few hours at the Ethnological Museum in Addis Ababa.

Set within Haile Selassie’s former palace in the beautifully landscaped grounds of the city’s main university campus, the Ethnological Museum has an impressive collection of Ethiopian Orthodox paintings, triptychs, and Orthodox crosses.

The draw-card though has to be the double-decker London bus at the entrance, which was brought to the city by Haile Selassie and is now a bustling bar.

Grab a cold beer and have a chat with local art students before heading out.

Entrance to the museum will set you back 100 Birr (excluding your beers) and gives you access to both floors of some pretty impressive exhibitions.

If you have the time, head to the top of Entoto Hill for some spectacular panoramic views of the capital.

Resting 3,200 meters above the city, Entoto Hill has some interesting sights, including remnants of Menelik II’s Palace, and the beautiful Entoto Maryam Cathedral or St. Mary’s Church.

Craving adventure and childhood nostalgia? Go ziplining or horseback riding at Kuriftu Resort Entoto!

On your way back down, stop off at the Shiro Meda market where you’ll find an array of Ethiopian clothes and local crafts.

A popular and favourite local haunt loved by both locals and visitors!

Immerse yourself in Ethiopian art and music with a visit to the azmari bet (‘house of music’) at Fendika.

Created by Ethiopian cultural and contemporary performance artist and pioneer, Melaku Belay, the artistic space is littered with Ethiopian cultural items and permanently occupied gallery spaces.

If you have a free Friday night in Addis, head here to enjoy live jazz and DJ-spun Ethiopian music with large crowds who come to enjoy cold beers and great music.

The capital's atmospheric "old town" is known as Piassa ('Piazza'). The name gestures towards the brief period of the Italian presence in the country. The area still has hints of Italian in its vibe today, and there are a few landmarks remaining from the first half of the 20th century. This is the go-to neighbourhood for good places to eat and budget accommodation.

Emma's favourite spot in the city! A botanical garden paradise where you can enjoy a coffee and pastry!

ZOMA MUSEUM is a dream inspired 25 years ago by the timeless and structurally sound vernacular architecture of Ethiopia and other parts of the world. It is named after Zoma Shiferraw, a young artist who died of cancer in 1979.

The museum acts as a bridge between artists and architects from around the world to create cutting-edge ecological art and architecture. In this context, Zoma Museum is built using ancient yet still existing construction techniques. The building materials include mud, straw, stone, wood, and cement.

Head to Lounge 360, a botanical rooftop restaurant located on the 13th floor with an incredible view of the city and delicious cocktails!

The biggest urban park in Addis Ababa. The park is right next to Unity Park which holds inside it a zoo, and historical archives!

Looking to pamper yourself? Boston Day Spa has a multitude of services including manicure & pedicure, hair services and spa services for the ultimate relaxation day!

Head to the Sheraton for a fun pool day (the main pool is heated and features soft underwater music)! Enjoy some lunch at their pool grill restaurant, Breezes, or sip on a cocktail at Baywatch, the 'island' situated between the swimming pools. For an extra special treat, check out the Aqva Club, a recreational facility that includes a sauna, massage treatments and a Jacuzzi. Heads up, reservations are required if you would like to book a massage! Call (251)(11) 517-1717 extension 6054.

Makush is an art gallery and Italian restaurant located in the trendy bole area (downtown Addis Ababa) and offers not only a treat to one’s eyes but also one’s palate! Makush showcases a collection of art work that ranges from traditional to contemporary story telling of Ethiopia.

Addis Fine Art is a leading African contemporary art gallery with locations in London and Addis Ababa. The gallery was founded in 2016 by Rakeb Sile and Mesai Haileleul, with a focus on artists from Ethiopia, the Horn of Africa, and its diasporas. Since then, it has championed African artists on the international stage and established itself as a significant voice in the contemporary African art market. It has developed an international programme showcasing mid-career artists through its London gallery space, one of the city's few Black and African-owned art galleries. The gallery's Addis Ababa location has evolved into a regional incubator for undiscovered talent, exhibiting and developing the careers of emerging artists.