Full-Day Private City Tour of Addis Ababa

Perfect for stopover travelers in Addis Ababa on layover, this is a customable tour. With expert tour guide, enjoy the best first-time visitors’ overview to Addis Ababa city. Explore Addis Ababa from a local's perspective visiting popular sites. With a private air-conditioned vehicle, drive through Addis's most scenic sites. Customize this 8 - 9 hours private tour in Addis Ababa Tour Highlights - See the fossil remains of Lucy at the National Museum of Ethiopia - Visit Holy Trinity Cathedral or Saint George Cathedral – Addis Ababa’s most notable religious sites - Enjoy stunning views of Addis Ababa from Mount Entoto - Tour Addis’s main avenues to view notable landmarks, - Visit Merkato Market and Ethnological Museum - Discover your personal favorite things to do in Addis Ababa With this Viator’s “Badge of Excellence” awardee tour, meet locals in Addis Ababa, experience Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony and learn cooking Ethiopian cuisine. This tour is flexible to tailor to your interests.

Saint George Cathedral is one of the oldest religious sites in Addis Ababa. This historical church is famous for its octagonal architecture. Inside Saint George Cathedral, admire mosaics depicting biblical scenes like the visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon. See also hand paintings showing historical/political events related with Emperor Haile Sillassie and Ethio-Italo II War. These wonderful paintings and mosaics are done by the famous Ethiopian Maître Artist Afework Tekle. You will also visit the museum of Saint George Cathedral to see a number of historical and religious artifacts.

Drive on the main streets of Addis Ababa to visit historical monuments such as the Lion of Judah

Drive through the Eucalyptus forest to Entoto Hill. From an elevation of 3,200 meters above sea level, enjoy the panoramic view of Addis Ababa. For cultural experience, you’ll have a LOCAL FAMILY VISIT and attend TYPICAL ETHIOPIAN COFFEE CEREMONY. As this is a flexible private tour, you can choose to do the following at Mount Entoto, - Take a leisurely hike in Entoto Park - Visit the Entoto Maryam Church and - See the palace of Emperor Menelik II (the oldest in Addis Ababa) Near Mount Entoto, stop at Shiro Meda Market. Browse through a variety of stalls selling an array of goods, from colorful textiles and spices to handmade crafts and souvenirs. At Chiromeda Market, shop for beautiful pottery, woven baskets, intricate jewelry, and other unique Ethiopian souvenirs.

Get assisted by your tour guide to walk in the most scenic and cultural parts of Merkato (the biggest in Africa). Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells. Experience the vibrant atmosphere, bustling energy, and diverse sensory overload that local markets offer. Discover unique sections of Merkato Market where items like False Banana Tree bread, traditional Ethiopian food ingredients and spices are presented for sale. Bargaining for selling prices is the rule of trading at Merkato. You’re your tour guide; practice your bargaining skills in a friendly and culturally appropriate way. At Addis Mercato, you can shop for hand woven dresses, grass baskets and other authentic souvenirs that truly represent the Ethiopian local culture. Exploring the Chat (mild stimulant leaves) section, browsing the second-hand goods market, and checking out the recycling sections at Merkato Market are all worthwhile experiences.

Enjoy a guided tour of 1 hour to the Ethnological Museum. Found in the compound of the Addis Ababa University, IES Ethnographic Museum is one of the best museums in Africa. On the ground floor of the Ethnographic museum, visit two exhibition rooms. The first is dedicated to Ethiopia’s Victory over Italians at the battle of Adwa (1896). The second one honors famous Ethiopian poets, writers, and translators who were influential in Ethiopia’s literature. The main part of the Ethnological Museum is on the first floor. On this floor, see varieties of exhibits that highlight the different ethnic groups of Ethiopia. Know the background and history of people of Ethiopia seeing displays presented in life cycle – from birth, childhood, and adulthood to death. See bedrooms and bathrooms of Emperor Haile Selassie I and Empress Menen. On the second floor of the Ethnological Museum, learn more about Ethiopia’s religious art and traditional musical instruments. Entance fee is 200 ETB per adult

Gain a deeper understanding of the human evolutionary history visiting the National Museum of Ethiopia. See the famous Lucy fossil, a 3.2 million-year-old Australopithecus Afarensis, and learn Ethiopia’s crucial role in understanding human evolution. Visit the historical evolution section of the museum to explore the rise and fall of the powerful Aksumite Empire, learn the influence of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and delve into the complexities of modern Ethiopia's history. On the first floor of the National Museum of Ethiopia, you’ll be presented with Ethiopians artistic talents. See ancient paintings and sculptures to contemporary masterpieces. You’ll also gain a wider view to the diverse cultures and traditions of Ethiopia through traditional clothing, tools, and household items from various regions presented on the second floor of the museum.

Take a guided tour of the Holy Trinity Cathedral and its museum. Constructed in 1944 by Emperor Haile Selassie, this cathedral is Ethiopia's second most significant religious site and Addis Ababa's highest-ranking one. It's also the burial place for Emperor Haile Selassie I and other notable Ethiopians. Inside the cathedral, admire the stunning stained-glass windows that illustrate biblical stories. Take a look at a historic painting portraying Emperor Haile Selassie addressing the League of Nations in 1936, showing the Emperor's passionate plea for international assistance against the Italian invasion. Also, visit cathedral's small museum to see historical religious garments, royal crowns, and other fascinating religious and political items. In the cathedral's compound, observe the graves of Meles Zenawi, a key figure in Ethiopian politics until 2012, and Sylvia Pankhurst, a British activist who championed Ethiopia's independence, particularly during the Italian occupation.

Stop at Meskel Square - the main square in Addis Ababa which is named after a colorful religious ceremony of Meskel (finding of the True Cross of Jesus Christ)

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

• Full-Day Private City Tour of Addis Ababa
  Add
  Pickup included

• Tour escort/host
• Hotel/Airport pickup and drop-off with private air conditioned vehicle
• Professional experienced English speaking tour guide
• Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Attendance

• Merkato Market is closed on Sundays. National Museum is temporarily closed from Dec 19, 2024.

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• This Tour is Provided by Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at Africa/Addis_Ababa.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• This Tour is Rated 4.5 Stars based on 132 valid reviews on VIATOR.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 6 Travelers is accepted for booking.