If you happen to be in Addis by some chance and have some leisure time, there are many interesting places to be seen in Addis and in the surrounding.
| Places to see in Addis Ababa within 1 day or half a day |
| ⇒ National Museum, one of the most important sub- Saharan museums in all of Africa. The museum is home to the fossilized humanoid Lucy, as well as an amazing collection of artifacts, royal items and art. |
| ⇒ Ethnographic Museum, which was the former palace of Haile Selassie and its collection, reflects the life styles of different ethnic groups of Ethiopia. In addition it hosts Ethiopian art and traditional music instruments. |
| ⇒ Trinity Cathedral, famous for its stained glass paintings and its grandeur architecture. It is where Hailesilassie’s tomb is found. |
| ⇒ St’ George Church , built in 1896 by Emperor Menelik II after the victory over the Italian colonizer. The museum inside houses spiritual items and royal relics. |
| ⇒ Mercato, the largest open air market in Africa. |
| ⇒ Entoto Mountain, 9843 ft high and where the city was founded at first. The panoramic view from the peak is spectacular. |
Outside and in the vicinity of Addis Ababa, there are famous places to be seen within one day excursion as listed below:
Day Excursion to Tiya and Adaddi Mariam
| After a 90km drive on a very good new asphalt from the capital Addis Ababa, and only 500m from the main road; Tiya stelae field consists about 40 obelisks which stand between one and two meters high. Recent excavations revealed that the stones mark mass graves of both males and females who died between the ages of 18 and 30 and were laid to rest in a foetal position. Tiya is one of the eighth UNESCO world heritage sites in Ethiopia. On your return to Addis detour to Adadi Mariam Rock hewn church; the only southerly rock church in Ethiopia which dates back to 12th c. Short stops to visit the Oromo and Gurage people villages then drive back to Addis. Excursion to Ambo and Wanchi Crater Lake |
| Drive to Ambo 125km West of Addis Ababa passing through the Gefersa Water Reservoir, turn left from Ambo town to reach the volcanic Crater Lake Wonchi on a gravel road that ascends to mountain slopes almost to the rim of the crater where the height reaches 3386m at a peak. Wanchi Crater Lake is an ideal site, and has a good appeal to such tourist activities and recreations like hiking, boating, horse back riding relaxing forest exploring, spa bathing, picnic lunch in picturesque setting and many more. One can also observe natural offers like hot and cold mineral springs being used by local people for cure of illness. We will follow a different route that run through Woliso to drive back to Addis Ababa for late afternoon arrival. Day Excursion to the Blue Nile Gorge and Debrelibanos Monastery |
| The Blue Nile Gorge found at 210 km North of Addis Ababa, is one of the most spectacular gorges in the world; bigger, wider and dipper than the Grand Canyon of US America. A right turn after 100 km drive will take us to the 13th Century Monastery of Debre-Libanos. One of the endemic mammals of our country, The Gelada Baboon is also found hear in the cliff. A few Kilometers from the monastery is the 16th century Portuguese Bridge also worth a visit. Continue to drive through the Selale or Shewan plain and farm lands till you reach the Gorge. After having picnic lunch on either side of the river; drive back to Addis Ababa. Day Excursion to Zuquala Mountain and Debre Zeit Chains of Lakes |
| Drive from Addis Ababa to Debre-Zeit 42 km South of Addis Ababa and turn right to drive up the hills and climb the Mountain of Ziquala 3000m. This elevation made it a watch tower of the central Rift Valley region with cool climate on the top. On the top of the mountain is situated the Monastery of “Zikuala Abo”. Right behind the monastery is the volcanic Crater Lake of Zikuala. Drive back to Debre Zeit for lunch stop and visit to some of the many volcanic crater lakes around then drive back to Addis Ababa. |
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