48 Hrs | Addis Ababa
48 hrs is a 2-day itinerary designed to not only take you by the main attractions but also to conveniently locate the best food & drink options along the way. Cheers!
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Let’s get to it.
Addis Ababa
From churches cut into mountains in the north, to one of the most diverse tribal regions in the world to the south, Ethiopia has so much to offer. In the middle of it all is the capital, Addis Ababa.
If you sit outside early in the morning and look out to the dust-filled streets, you’re sure to see long-distance runners training for an upcoming race or even the Olympics. Drinking coffee in Addis is arguably one of the best destinations in the world to do so. If you’re into music, the Ethiojazz scene is alive and well. Addis is also home to the largest open-air market in Africa.
Welcome to Addis.
Day 1
Mount Entoto & Entoto Maryam Church
Begin your day with a drive up to (1) Mount Entoto located on the northern reaches of the city. Here you will view the Entoto Maryam Church. Built by Emperor Menelik in 1882, this octagonal church is a colorful sight to see. Back then, this area was used as Menelik’s capital, and you can still see his modest palace remains on the grounds.
As you’re walking around, you will also be treated to panoramic views of Addis Ababa. Addis is a sprawling city of 3.3M people. This is a great day 1 activity to get your feet on the ground and understand the scope of what Addis is all about.
Coming down the mountain, you’ll pass many homes along the way and neighborhood stands. Don’t be surprised if the people see a car full of interested people and decide to share the food they’ve been carrying around on their heads.
Ethiopians always share regardless of what they have. There’s a tradition in Ethiopia about a host always making sure their guest has enough food on their plate. If you finish the plate clean, one would feel bad for not having more for you. Usually, there is more.
Lucy
Ethiopia is known for its traditional food and coffee. However, it’s most famous artifact dates back 3.2M years ago. At the (2) National Museum of Ethiopia, the skeleton of Lucy, an ape-like Australopithecus afarensis, sits in a protective glass case. It’s quite breathtaking to see this almost complete skeleton from one of our closest relatives.
Just a short hop over is the (3) Ethnological Museum. Here you’ll see beautiful paintings, artwork, and other relics of Ethiopian past.
Ethiopian Coffee
You’ve had coffee already, right? Right?? OK, don’t worry. Next is the infamous Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony. It is quite common to ask your hotel to find a company that will send someone to perform the ceremony at your request.
The ceremony consists of a very personal journey of coffee being prepared right before your eyes. The coffee is roasted over a flame inside a pot. The presenter knows by smell when the beans will be done roasting. Nearing completion, the presenter will waft the pan of roasted beans in front of your face to fully envelope the roasty characteristics. Your first instinct will be to slam about 15 espressos right away, but hold back. Enjoy the presentation. The smell is one of enlightenment. The beans are then ground with a hand mortar and boiling water is added.
The coffee will steep until the presenter determines the coffee is ready. In the meantime, frankincense is burned to give a more ethereal feel to it all. Popcorn is also served alongside the coffee.
When the presenter deems it time to begin pouring, cups are laid out and the deeply rich coffee streams out in a dark black from the spout. The small cups are then passed around and you (FINALLY) enjoy your Ethiopian coffee.
It’s an intense almost pungent taste as the chocolate and nutty notes collide with an acidic taste. Be careful to eat before the ceremony. This coffee is quite strong.
After the coffee ceremony, you’ll want to walk off that caffeine before the entertainment of the night. Head to (5) Medhane-Alem Cathedral to walk the beautiful grounds of the second largest cathedral in Africa. Ethiopia is mostly comprised of Christians, Ethiopian Orthodox, so you won’t be surprised when you see so many churches.
Less than a mile away, it’s time for dinner and some traditional dance. (6) Yod Abyssyma may be touristy, but the place still puts on a great authentic show, with plenty of seating, and of course that beautiful, spicy, aromatic food placed on top of injera bread.
Goodnight!
Day 2
Coffee first? Yes, and you’ll need it. Day two begins with a stop at (1) Tomoca coffee. This will be a faster pick me up (but not nearly as intimate) than the coffee ceremony, and almost as tasty. Tomoca is one of many coffee chains that have come to fruition from the coffee revolution. Order a macchiato and grab a bag of beans to bring home (or 3).
After the coffee, get ready to head into the largest open-air market in Africa, the (2) Addis Mercado. You’ll find everything here you could imagine. One area to seek out is the spice sector. Bere bere is a red spice that is a little smoky, a little spicy, and very aromatic. It goes well with anything!
You’ll need a breather after the open air market. Head back into central Addis for two beautiful churches to relax in. (3) St George Cathedral and museum and the (4) Holy Trinity Cathedral. These are two of the more prominent churches in Addis.
Another authentic Ethiopian dinner is (5) Totot Traditional Restaurant. If you can’t get enough of the food, look into food classes some restaurants offer.
If I were to characterize Ethiopian dining, I would say it’s both romantic and primal. Outside of the main tourist attractions, electricity commonly cuts in and out.
Don’t be surprised to find yourself eating a meal with your hands, sitting on the floor, and when the electricity goes out, everything is fine because there are candles lit everywhere in the restaurant.
Lastly, head out for a night on the town. Ethiojazz is gaining traction around the world thanks to the great Mulate Azteke. He owns a jazz club in Addis and it’s a perfect place to relax and rewind: (6) African Jazz village.
Cheers to Addis!
