A cosmopolitan city rich in Ethiopian tradition
Your holiday in Addis Ababa cannot help but be rich in history and culture. This bustling city, set at the base of the Entoto hills, sits in the geographical centre of the country. Since being founded in the 19th century, by Emperor Menelik II, it has grown to encompass a number of important religious sites.
Book your holiday in Addis Ababa during one of the city’s colourful festivals, such as Ethiopian New Year in September, or the Ethiopian Christmas celebration of Gena in early January, to truly feel the warm glow that holy cities can bring.
Addis Ababa is home to Lucy, one of the most ancient early humans ever discovered. She is housed in the National Museum of Ethiopia and has rewritten the story of humanity. At a sprightly 3.2 million years old, she is named by the team who discovered her in the Afar region after the Beatles track Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.
It is also home to the famous Mercato, thought to be the largest open-air market in Africa, and where you can easily snap up a bargain or two if you’re ready to barter.
And if you’re a coffee-lover, the brews that you’ll find here are some of the best you’ll ever taste.