5 days in Addis Ababa

Early in the morning, I make my way to Unity Park. The kids will still be talking about it weeks later. So will the adults, though they admit it less. Unmissable, and for good reason. Travellers give it 4.5 out of 5 (1,912 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or compare on Tiqets.

Late morning, it’s Egg house & Emperor Menelik II's Quarter | እንቁላል ቤት | የንጉሥ ምኒልክ ግቢ. Give it a good two hours, and leave before you are full: that is the secret to wanting to come back. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise also check Tiqets.

In the afternoon, meet me at Addis Ababa park. Bring water, shoes that hold, and no watch. Practical: here is the route by public transport · travellers’ reviews.

To start, head to St. George Church. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.5 out of 5 across 335 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Getting there: the public-transport route. To get a feel for it: what visitors say.

Around noon, meet me at Medhanealem Cathedral. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Unmissable, and for good reason. Travellers give it 4.5 out of 5 (474 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: how to get there · what visitors say.

Later, I make my way to Zoma Museum. I always pick two or three rooms rather than seeing everything. You walk out light. Unmissable, and for good reason. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise go through Tiqets.

In the morning, I make my way to Entoto St. Maryam Church. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Travellers give it 4.6 out of 5 (420 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise also check Tiqets.

Then, I make my way to Entoto Park. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. Getting there: the public-transport route. To get a feel for it: what visitors say.

After lunch, head to جبل انطوطو. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or compare on Tiqets.

In the morning, it’s Addis Ababa Museum | መስቀል አደባባይ. The audio guides are worth it; otherwise, follow a group and steal three anecdotes on the way. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise compare on Tiqets.

Late morning, it’s Red Terror Martyrs' Memorial Museum የቀይ ሽብር መታሰቢያ ሙዚየም. Give it a good two hours, and leave before you are full: that is the secret to wanting to come back. Unmissable, and for good reason. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise also check Tiqets.

After lunch, it’s Meskel Square. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Getting there: how to get there. To get a feel for it: what visitors say.

To start, it’s Holy Trinity Cathedral. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Unmissable, and for good reason. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise also check Tiqets.

Late morning, head to National Museum of Ethiopia. The audio guides are worth it; otherwise, follow a group and steal three anecdotes on the way. Everyone goes; everyone is right. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise go through Tiqets.

In the afternoon, it’s 4 kilo square. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise go through Tiqets.