Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: New Flower
Addis Ababa is the capital and the largest city of Ethiopia, one of the oldest countries in the world and Africa's second-most populous nation. Found in 1887 by Menelik II, Addis Ababa is situated at an altitude of 2400 meters above sea level in a narrow valley in the shadow of the impressive Mt. Entoto. Addis Ababa literally translates into “new flower” is a heaven if you are looking for day trips in urban Africa.
Addis Ababa is home to more than 120 international missions and embassies, and is a hub of international diplomacy vis-à-vis Africa. The headquarters of the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa are also situated in Addis Ababa, and the city plays host two delegations (each) from the United States and the European Union, one for bilateral relations with Ethiopia and the other for relations with the African Union.
Places to Visit in Addis Ababa
The imposing Africa Hall on Menelik II Avenue is among the most must-visit Addis Ababa tourist attractions.
Some of the other Addis Ababa tourist sights include:
- St George's Cathedral (Giorgis Cathedral)
- Trinity Cathedral
- Menelik Mausoleum
- Haile Selassie's Grand Palace
- National Museum
- Menelik II Square
- Yekatit 12 Square (Sidist Kilo)
- Meyazia 27 Square
- Lion of Judah Monument
- Abune Petros Memorial and Mercato (an open market spread over 26 sq kms)
Addis Ababa- Travel tips, languages spoken, cuisine
Addis Ababa is generally safe for tourists, but it is advisable that certain areas be avoided after dark. Needless to stay, usual precautions such as keeping valuables out of sight, etc., need to be taken. Further, while visiting game areas, one should (and rightly so) follow the guide’s instructions and not feed anything to wild animals. Note that very few streets have names in Addis Ababa; landmarks are used for reference during intra-city travel.
Amharic is the national language of Ethiopia is also the most widely spoken language; beside, Oromo and Tigrinya are also fairly common. English would, in most cases, get you through. The local currency is Birr (ETB).
The local cuisine is rich and freely available at very affordable prices. Injera, a spongy and tangy bread made from teff, a grain that grows in the highlands of Ethiopia, is Ethiopia's national dish and is a definite must have. Addis Ababa is blessed with a multitude of cake and coffee shops catering to all budgets.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Addis Ababa is from October to April, after the rains. Addis Ababa is at its greenest best from September to early October.
BEST WAY to reach
- By Air: Addis Ababa has a well-equipped international airport, and is well connected to the regional air-travel hubs.
- By Rail: Addis Ababa is connected by rail to a beach town (albeit a not-so-developed one)—Djibouti about 700 kms away—on the Red Sea coast. However, railways are not that good an option if you want to go to Addis Ababa.
- By Road: Addis Ababa is well connected to all national and regional destinations and popular attractions. Further, Addis Ababa has two bus terminals and also offers comfortable transport options for almost all of the nearby Ethiopia attractions.
Accommodation
The Addis Ababa accommodation scene is very active and wide enough to cater to all budgets and needs. Further, many local and international tour operators offer Addis Ababa vacation package tours. These tours cover most of the Addis Ababa tourist destinations, but do not carry the element of risk and adventure that going solo does.