9-Hour Addis Ababa City Tour with Entoto Hill, Lucy and Merkato

9 Hours Round trip from Your hotel in Addis Ababa Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Panoramic views over Addis Ababa from Entoto Hill at over 3,000 m
02 Visit Entoto Maryam Church, where Emperor Menelik II was crowned
03 Explore the Ethnological Museum inside Haile Selassie's former palace
04 Meet "Lucy," the 3.2-million-year-old hominid, at the National Museum
05 See Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Red Terror Martyrs' Memorial Museum
06 Enjoy a traditional injera lunch, a coffee ceremony, and a drive through Merkato

See the best of Ethiopia's capital in one relaxed, private day. Addis Ababa sits at 2,400 m in the central highlands and was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and Empress Taytu; today it is the political capital of Africa and a city of museums, cathedrals, and busy markets. With your own guide and driver, you'll start high on Entoto Hill, where the city began, then continue through the Ethnological Museum in Haile Selassie's former palace, the National Museum and its famous "Lucy" fossil, Holy Trinity Cathedral, and the Red Terror Martyrs' Memorial Museum. A traditional injera lunch and a coffee ceremony are included, and the day ends with a drive through Merkato, one of Africa's largest open-air markets.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Addis Ababa, Mount Entoto

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Entoto Hill, Museums, Cathedral and Merkato

Your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel and drive up Entoto Hill, at over 3,000 m, for sweeping views across Addis Ababa. Visit Entoto Maryam Church, where Emperor Menelik II was crowned, and its small museum of imperial objects. Back in the city, tour the Ethnological Museum inside Haile Selassie's former palace, then enjoy a traditional lunch of injera with a variety of stews.

In the afternoon, meet the 3.2-million-year-old "Lucy" at the National Museum, visit Holy Trinity Cathedral, where Haile Selassie is buried, and the Red Terror Martyrs' Memorial Museum. Finish with a drive through Merkato, one of Africa's largest open-air markets, and a traditional coffee ceremony before returning to your hotel.

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Addis Ababa
Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
Professional English-speaking city guide
Entrance fees to all sites in the itinerary
Traditional Ethiopian lunch
Coffee ceremony
Bottled drinking water
Government taxes and service charges

What's Not Included

Drinks with lunch
Dinner
Camera/video fees where charged
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses

What to bring

Comfortable walking shoes
Light jacket or sweater for Entoto Hill
Sun hat and sunscreen
Camera
Some Ethiopian birr for souvenirs and tips

Know before you go

The tour runs daily; the National Museum and some churches have shorter hours on religious holidays, and we adjust the order of visits if needed.
Please dress modestly for church visits (shoulders and knees covered); shoes are removed inside churches.
Entoto Hill is above 3,000 m and can be cool and windy, even on sunny days.
Keep valuables secure in Merkato; your guide will stay with you throughout.

Logistics