Addis Ababa Day, Half-Day & Layover Tours
Addis Ababa Day, Half-Day & Layover Tour
A full day tour, a half day tour, or a layover tour between flights — shaped around the time you actually have.
- Region
- Addis Ababa
- Starts
- Addis Ababa
Overview
Addis Ababa sits at around 2,300 metres, which makes it one of the highest capital cities in the world and explains why it is cooler than most people expect. Founded in 1886, it is the country's largest city and its centre of gravity — most trips to Ethiopia begin and end here. We run it three ways. As a full day tour, for someone with a spare day at the start or end of a longer trip. As a half day tour, when there is a morning or an afternoon and no more. And as a layover tour, for anyone with a long connection at Bole who would rather see the city than the airport. What we visit is the National Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Entoto Park, Menelik II's palace, Merkato and St George Church, with the landmarks of the city passing by between them — and how many of those you get to depends on the hours you have rather than on which version you booked.
Highlights
- The National Museum, where the Lucy fossils are held
- Holy Trinity Cathedral and St George Church
- Entoto Park, in the hills above the city
- The palace of Menelik II, who founded Addis Ababa
- Merkato, one of Africa's largest open-air markets
Who it suits
Works as a half day or a full day, and adapts to how long you have. Most of it is walking and short drives at altitude, which is worth knowing if you have just flown in.
Before you go
If you are travelling on a layover, tell us your flight times when you enquire — how much of the city is realistic depends entirely on how long you are on the ground and how long immigration takes.
Common questions
- What will I see on the Addis Ababa city tour?
- The National Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Entoto Park, the palace of Menelik II, Merkato and St George Church, and you pass the city's landmarks on the way between them. Which of those fit into your tour depends on how long you have — that is the honest answer, and it is why we ask about your time before promising a route.
- Do you offer a half day tour of Addis Ababa?
- Yes. The half day tour covers a morning or an afternoon and is the usual choice when you have arrived that day or are flying out that evening. The full day tour covers more ground and includes lunch time in the city.
- Can this be done on a layover?
- That is one of the reasons it exists. How much fits depends on how long you are on the ground, so send us your flight times and we will tell you honestly what is realistic.
- Will I feel the altitude?
- Addis Ababa is around 2,300 metres. Most people notice it as being a little short of breath on stairs and hills for the first day or two. It is worth taking the first day gently.
Places visited
- National Museum
- Holy Trinity Cathedral
- Entoto Park
- Menelik II Palace
- Merkato
- St George Church
