. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 7 Day Itinerary

Title: 7-Day Itinerary for Exploring Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Day 1: Arrival & City Orientation

  • Arrive at Bole International Airport. The capital city is bustling and vibrant. Take some time to settle in your hotel.
  • Check-in at Jambo Hotel or ShebaMillennium Hotel. These are centrally located and offer comfortable stays.
  • Lunch at Yod Abyssinia (Yod African Restaurant & Jazz Club) on Churchill Avenue, where you can enjoy traditional Ethiopian cuisine with live music performances.
  • Afternoon: Visit the National Museum of Ethiopia to see Lucy, a 3.2 million-year-old hominid fossil.
  • Dinner at Taste of Roma (Piazza Italia) for authentic Italian food if you need a break from traditional Ethiopian cuisine.
  • Evening: Stroll around Piazza and enjoy the nightlife.

Day 2: Historical Sites & Market Exploration

  • Breakfast at your hotel.
  • Morning: Visit Holy Trinity Cathedral, a beautiful Ethiopian Orthodox church.
  • Lunch at Kategna (Café), known for its delicious and inexpensive traditional dishes.
  • Afternoon: Explore the bustling Mercato, the largest open-air market in Africa.
  • Dinner at Yod Abyssinia.
  • Evening: Relax at Tomoca Coffee, Ethiopia’s oldest coffee roastery, and enjoy a cup of Ethiopian coffee.

Day 3: Cultural Immersion & Traditional Experience

  • Breakfast at your hotel.
  • Morning: Visit the Ethnographic Museum to learn about Ethiopia’s diverse cultures.
  • Lunch at Yod Abyssinia or Kategna (Café).
  • Afternoon: Head to Mount Entoto for a panoramic view of Addis Ababa and visit the Church of Mary (Entoto Mariam) at the summit.
  • Dinner at Yod Abyssinia.
  • Evening: Attend an Ethiopian Traditional Music & Dance Show at Hyatt Regency’s Tanasheka Restaurant.

Day 4: Day trip to Debre Libanos & the Blue Nile Gorge

  • Early Morning: Depart for Debre Libanos and visit the Debre Libanos Monastery and its botanical garden.
  • Lunch at a local restaurant in Debre Libanos.
  • Afternoon: Explore the breathtaking Blue Nile Gorge, one of Ethiopia’s most scenic attractions.
  • Dinner back in Addis Ababa at Yod Abyssinia.

Day 5: Modern Addis & Shopping

  • Breakfast at your hotel.
  • Morning: Visit the African Artists and Artisans Design Centre (AAAD) for locally made crafts.
  • Lunch at Kaleb Beerberet, a rooftop restaurant offering stunning views of Addis Ababa.
  • Afternoon: Head to the African Union Commission or United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) compound to learn about their role in African development.
  • Dinner at Maitreya Restaurant for Asian fusion cuisine.
  • Evening: Stroll around Bole leisure park and enjoy a coffee at the Blue Nile Coffee Plaza.

Day 6: Visit the Ethiopian National Theater & Shopping

  • Breakfast at your hotel.
  • Morning: Tour the Ethiopian National Theater for a glimpse into Ethiopia’s performing arts.
  • Lunch at Abeba Restaurant (Addis Ketema) or Kategna (Café).
  • Afternoon: Visit the Menelik II Palace and the nearby Trinity Cathedral Square.
  • Dinner at Taitu Hotel’s Waziema restaurant.
  • Evening: Spend your last night in Addis Ababa enjoying the city’s vibrant nightlife.

Day 7: Departure

  • Breakfast at your hotel.
  • Check out and transfer to Bole International Airport for your departure.