Addis Ababa City Tour
Explore the city of Addis Ababa on a guided city tour. Visit its main attractions and enjoy an authentic local experience while sightseeing the city’s most important landmarks, streets, and cultural highlights.
About Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is unlike many other African cities, as it was never under colonial rule. It is an indigenous African city established by the famous Emperor Menelik II in 1887 and his wife, Queen Taitu. The name “Addis Ababa,” Means “New Flower,” which was chosen by the Empress herself.
Addis Ababa is also one of the top diplomatic cities in the world. It is the capital of Ethiopia, the seat of the African Union, and home to more than 100 embassies, diplomatic missions, and international organizations.
Ethiopia is a large country with diverse cultures, ethnic groups, and religions. Addis Ababa is therefore a melting pot, where people from across Ethiopia come to live, work, and pursue their dreams together.
What You Can See on This Tour
This Addis Ababa city tour can be customized according to your interests and the places you would like to visit. Below are some of the most popular attractions included in our Sightseeing tours.
A Drive up to Mount Entoto offers a magnificent panoramic view of the city. Entoto served as the capital of Ethiopia before 1896.
Descending from Mount Entoto and passing through Shiromeda, the largest traditional clothing market, we will stop at the National Museum of Ethiopia to see our famous human ancestor Lucy, a 3.2-million-year-old hominid fossil. The museum also displays other Fossils , and many important Stone Age tools.
The National Museum also exhibits historical objects that demonstrate more than 3,000 years of Ethiopian history, art, culture, and archaeological discoveries.
During the tour, we will enjoy a break for traditional Ethiopian food and coffee, an essential part of Ethiopian culture.
You can find almost anything in Merkato, except arms and souls — but who knows if you search hard enough. Merkato is the largest open-air market in Africa, and for many Ethiopians it represents the heart of everyday life. We will walk through or drive inside the market to experience authentic local Ethiopian life and culture.
A visit to Holy Trinity Cathedral introduces visitors to Ethiopia’s ancient Christian traditions and unique sacred worship. Ethiopia is one of the oldest Christian nations in the world. The cathedral was built by Emperor Haile Selassie, the last Emperor of Ethiopia, whose royal lineage is traditionally believed to descend from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba.
During the visit, we will also see the tombs of Emperor Haile Selassie and Empress Menen Asfaw.
Addis Ababa City Tour Itinerary
• Pick-up from the airport, hotel, or your location
• Drive through the city to see the main landmarks of Addis Ababa
• Drive to Mount Entoto for a panoramic city view
• Visit the National Museum of Ethiopia
• Visit Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa
• Visit Holy Trinity Cathedral
• End of the tour and drop-off at the airport or your hotel
Tailor My Addis Ababa City Tour
Our Addis Ababa city tours are organized by My Ethiopia Tours, a licensed local travel agency and tour operator founded by the well-known Ethiopian guide Nurelegn Weldemariam.
Since 2012, we have conducted hundreds of Ethiopia tours and travel experiences, welcoming travelers from more than 40 countries and providing authentic local experiences. Most of our tours are private guided tours, but we can also arrange group tours upon request.
Would you like to visit local neighborhoods, museums, cultural sites, markets, or historic landmarks?
The places you visit may vary depending on your interests and preferences. We are always happy to customize your itinerary to match your expectations and travel style.
Our private guided Addis Ababa city tour often focuses on the hidden gems of Addis Ababa, which many travelers rank among the highlights of their Ethiopia vacation or holiday.
The tour usually includes:
• famous historical landmarks
• beautiful city streets
• Ethiopian daily life
• local Ethiopian food and coffee
• traditional markets
• museums and cultural sites
• seasonal celebrations
• stunning city views from nearby mountains
Whether you are traveling as a couple, family, or group, we provide flexible and customized travel plans tailored to your needs.
We create a balanced itinerary combining history, culture, city exploration, and great Ethiopian dining experiences.
If you have any questions or special requests, please contact us by email, through the inquiry form on our website, or by phone. We will be happy to help you plan a perfect Addis Ababa vacation or Ethiopia tours.