Travel advisory: Ethiopia is in an active conflict, with fighting in the north resumed in late September 2026. The UK FCDO advises against all travel to Tigray, Amhara and Gambela and to parts of Oromia, Afar and other regions, and the US State Department rates Ethiopia Level 3 (Reconsider Travel). Check the current UK FCDO and US State Department advice before you book and again before you fly. Addis Ababa itself is not in the FCDO’s advise-against list, but it warns of a high terrorism threat, crime hotspots including Meskel Square, Bole and Entoto, and security checkpoints. This guide covers Addis Ababa and the Bishoftu corridor only; the northern historic sites are not currently visitable.

7-Day Itinerary for Exploring Addis Ababa and Surroundings 🇪🇹

This itinerary stays in Addis Ababa and the Bishoftu corridor. Bahir Dar, Gondar, Axum and Lalibela are in Amhara and Tigray, where the UK FCDO advises against all travel, so they are not part of the plan.

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa (ADD) 🏞️🌆

• Arrive at Bole International Airport.
• Visit the National Museum of Ethiopia in Arat Kilo to see a cast of Lucy, a 3.2 million years old hominid fossil.
• Try local cuisine such as Injera (sourdough flatbread), Doro Wat (chicken stew), and Tibs (spiced beef).

📝 Things to Know:

1. Ethiopia uses the Ethiopian Calendar, which is approximately 7-8 years behind the Gregorian calendar.
2. The official language is Amharic, but English is widely spoken in cities.
3. Cash birr is the practical currency, at about 160 to 165 birr to the US dollar in October 2026.

🛵 Transportation: Use a hotel transfer or a yellow or app-based taxi rather than a blue-and-white one.

Day 2: Arat Kilo and Unity Park 🌲

• Visit Unity Park, open Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Monday; foreigner tickets are reported at about USD 20 for regular entry and USD 50 for the guided ticket, so confirm at the gate.
• Visit the Ethnological Museum at Sidist Kilo, in the former palace of Haile Selassie.

Day 3: Holy Trinity and Piassa ⛪

• Visit Holy Trinity Cathedral, where Haile Selassie and Empress Menen are buried. It is a solemn place, so dress modestly.
• Visit St George’s Cathedral and the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Piassa.
• Coffee at Tomoca’s Piassa branch. Keep to daytime and stay in company.

Day 4: Entoto 🏔️

• Drive to Entoto Mountain for panoramic views of the city and a visit to Entoto Maryam Church and its museum. The FCDO names Entoto as a crime hotspot, so go by car in daytime and in company.
• Browse Shiro Meda on Entoto Road for handwoven cotton and shawls; vendors often quote visitors higher prices.

Day 5: Bishoftu Crater Lakes 🌊

• Hire a car and driver for the drive of about 48 to 62 km southeast on the Addis-Adama Expressway.
• Boat trip on Lake Hora and lunch at the Kuriftu Resort & Spa.
• Return before dark. Stay on the expressway corridor and do not go on to Adama or Awash.

Day 6: Coffee and Music ☕

• Coffee ceremony at a Galani Coffee cafe; the ceremony runs to three rounds.
• Red Terror Martyrs’ Memorial Museum at the east end of Meskel Square, a memorial to those killed in the Red Terror under the Derg. Guided tours are free, and the museum asks for a donation.
• Evening music at Fendika@Hyatt on Meskel Square, travelling door to door by car.

Day 7: Departure from Addis Ababa 🏞️🌆

• Shop for souvenirs in Piassa, a popular shopping area.
• Depart from Bole International Airport.

Visa Requirements 🛂

All visitors require a visa to enter Ethiopia. Apply through the official e-visa portal before you travel.

Enjoy your trip to Ethiopia! 🇪🇹