Ethiopia · City Tours

Full-Day Addis Ababa City Tour with Mercato and Mount Entoto

7 Days Round trip from Arat Kilo area Strenuous pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Visit Holy Trinity Cathedral, the resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie and Empress Menen Asfaw
02 Explore the National Museum of Ethiopia and see the famous fossil remains of "Lucy"
03 Drive up Mount Entoto for panoramic views over Addis Ababa and the surrounding countryside
04 Browse Mercato, the largest open-air market in Africa
05 Discover Ethiopian textiles, wedding dresses, and fabrics at Shiro Meda Market
06 Enjoy Ethiopian coffee at Tomoca, the country's oldest coffee shop since 1953

Discover the culture, history, and everyday life of Addis Ababa on this private city tour. Visit the majestic Holy Trinity Cathedral, enjoy Ethiopian coffee at Tomoca, and have lunch at the historic Taitu Hotel in Piazza. Explore the National Museum of Ethiopia, browse the vast Mercato, and take in panoramic views from Entoto Natural Park. The tour also includes time at Shiro Meda Market, known for its Ethiopian textiles and traditional fabrics.

Explore the National Museum of Ethiopia, browse the vast Mercato, and take in panoramic views from Entoto Natural Park.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Strenuous

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Addis Ababa, Mount Entoto

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Visit Holy Trinity Cathedral

Holy Trinity Cathedral, known in Amharic as Kidist Selassie, is the highest-ranking Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo cathedral in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
It was built in 1942 to commemorate the Ethiopian victory over Italian occupation and is an important place of worship in Ethiopia.
The tombs of Emperor Haile Selassie and Empress Menen Asfaw, as well as other members of the Imperial Family, can be found inside the cathedral.

Day 02

Coffee Break at Tomoca

Located in the Piazza area, Tomoca is the oldest coffee shop in Ethiopia, operating since 1953.

Day 03

Lunch at Historic Taitu Hotel in Piazza

Enjoy lunch at the oldest hotel in Addis. The Taitu Hotel was built in 1905 (1898 in the Ethiopian calendar) in the middle of the city, in Piazza, by Taitu Betul (1851-1918), the Ethiopian Empress and the wife of Emperor Menelik II, to provide foreign guests with a place to rest and dine.
Alternative places for lunch are also possible.

Day 04

Explore the National Museum of Ethiopia

The museum is divided into three sections. In the basement, the paleontological exhibition contains many precious local archaeological finds, such as the fossilized remains of early hominids, the most famous of which is "Lucy".
The collection is ranked among the most important in sub-Saharan Africa.
On the ground floor, artefacts from the Aksumite, pre-Aksumite, Solomonic, and Gondarian periods are displayed.
On the first floor, there is a vivid display of Ethiopian art ranging from early 14th-century parchment to 20th-century canvas oil paintings.

Day 05

Shop at Mercato Market

Mercato is the largest open-air market in Africa, covering several square miles and employing an estimated 13,000 people in 7,100 business entities divided into organized zones, including agricultural products, incense, coffee, spices, jewelry, baskets, pottery, leather goods, and metal goods.

Day 06

Take in the Views at Entoto Natural Park

Located at 2600 meters altitude, Entoto Natural Park was where former Emperor Menelik II's permanent camp and palace were located.
From the top, there is a panoramic view of the capital and the surrounding countryside.
The mountain is densely covered by eucalyptus trees that were imported from Australia during the reign of Menelik II and mostly planted during Emperor Haile Selassie's reign.
Because of this, it is sometimes referred to as the "lung of Addis Ababa".

Day 07

Browse Ethiopian Textiles at Shiro Meda Market

Shiro Meda Market, also spelled "Chiromeda," sells Ethiopian textiles in all their forms, from Ethiopian wedding dresses to various types of clothing, linens, and fabrics.

Where this trip takes you

Holy Trinity Cathedral (Addis Ababa), National Museum of Ethiopia, Addis Mercato, Entoto Natural Park

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Arat Kilo area 2 cities · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

All entrance fees
English-speaking tour guide
Vehicle with an experienced driver
Pickup and transfer to the airport
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Water during this tour

What's Not Included

Alcoholic drinks and personal expenses
Tips for the guide and driver

What to bring

Sun lotion and walking shoes.

Know before you go

Cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour.

The price is per person.

For adults: 76 USD.

For children: 70 USD.

The tour is a full-day tour.

Come and discover the authentic magic of Addis Ababa by visiting the most historical and cultural highlights on a full-day city tour with a private guide and driver.

From seeing the grave of Emperor Haile Selassie, drinking coffee at the oldest roasting company, and exploring the narrow streets and stalls of the largest open market in Africa, to having lunch in the oldest hotel built by Empress Taytu Betul, seeing the world-famous "Lucy," walking in the former bedroom of Haile Selassie, and hiking through a eucalyptus forest at 2600 meters altitude to admire the full scenery of the city, this tour is definitely a must.

The tour includes entrance fees and pickup and drop-off at the airport or hotel. A discount can be offered for group or family tours.

Read more about Addis Ababa Authentic Private City Tour.

Logistics