Addis Ababa

Founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and Empress Taytu Betul and named Addis Ababa (New Flower in Amharic), Ethiopia's capital sprawls across wooded valleys at the foot of the 3,200-metre Mount Entoto ridge. At 2,355 metres above sea level, it is one of the highest capital cities in the world and serves as the diplomatic capital of the continent, hosting the headquarters of the African Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa.

Few cities offer such a distinct cultural identity: Ethiopia was never colonised, retains its own ancient Ge'ez script, 13-month calendar and timekeeping system, and is the botanical birthplace of Coffea arabica. In three days you can come face to face with our 3.2-million-year-old ancestor Lucy at the National Museum and visit Holy Trinity Cathedral, walk under eucalyptus trees at Entoto Park and tour imperial Unity Park, and linger over a traditional coffee ceremony, sourdough injera feast and late-night Ethio-jazz. Start with our before-you-go briefing and top things to do in Addis Ababa.

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) is the primary aviation hub of sub-Saharan Africa and sits right on the southern edge of the city's lively Bole neighbourhood, just fifteen minutes from most hotels. Within the capital, travellers rely on local ride-hailing apps (Ride and Feres), hotel cars and the two-line electric Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit (LRT), while domestic flights from Terminal 1 link Addis to Ethiopia's historic north and southern parks. See how to get to Addis Ababa and around.

Most first-time visitors choose between the modern cafes, roasteries and airport convenience of Bole, and the central diplomatic avenues of Kazanchis and Meskel Square right beside Unity Park, Friendship Park and the museum axis running north to Arat Kilo. We compare all main districts in where to stay in Addis Ababa.

See the fossilised bones of Lucy (Dinkinesh) at the National Museum, Emperor Haile Selassie's bedroom at the Ethnological Museum and Holy Trinity Cathedral, explore the restored royal banquet halls of Unity Park, Mount Entoto and vast Merkato, and experience a three-cup Habesha coffee ceremony and Ethio-jazz concert. Full list in things to do in Addis Ababa.

Ethiopian dining is communal, aromatic and eaten with the right hand from a shared circular tray (gebeta) lined with spongy, tangy fermented teff injera flatbread. Scoop up slow-simmered doro wat chicken in red berbere spice paste, sizzling rosemary lamb tibs, or a colourful Wednesday and Friday Orthodox fasting platter (yetsom beyaynetu) of spiced lentils, split peas and greens, followed by freshly roasted highland Arabica coffee. Read more in our coffee, injera and jazz overview.

Chosen after Empress Taytu descended from the chilly crest of Mount Entoto to the warm thermal mineral springs of Filwoha in the valley below, Addis Ababa grew around circular aristocratic encampments (sefers) shaded by fast-growing Australian eucalyptus trees introduced by Menelik II in the 1890s, evolving into the home of pan-African diplomacy and the hypnotic brass-and-pentatonic grooves of Ethio-jazz.