Southern Ethiopia
Perched on a ridge 2km west of Konso, this atmopheric market proffers grand views over the Rift Valley. For sale, you’ll find women’s traditional skirts,…
Must-see attractions in Ethiopia
Komaya Heart of Konso Cultural Handicraft Market
Southern Ethiopia
This beautiful hilltop spot is a developing project to provide an income for local craftspeople. There’s a weaving workshop and other craft demonstrations…
Lalibela
Near Arbatu Ensessa, 41km off the Yemrehanna Kristos road, this is an interesting three-quarter monolith known particularly for its ancient frescoes…
Eastern Ethiopia
Below Fantale, a few kilometres north of the village of Metahara, you can routinely see dozens of spotted hyenas exit their dens around dusk.The Birr300…
Southern Ethiopia
Lake Hare Sheitan (Devil’s Lake), about 9km south of Butajira, is an incredibly photogenic circular crater lake with the rim soaring perhaps 150m above…
Northern Ethiopia
The most rewarding of the monasteries is known for its jungle and dedicated monks. The building itself is fairly standard, but the highlight is a lovely…
South-Omo Museum & Research Centre
Southern Ethiopia
Perched on a hill northeast of town (look for the green roof), this museum hosts an interesting exhibition on the region's cultures. There’s also a…
Northern Ethiopia
The oldest monastery, Galila, is a one-hour boat journey southwest of Gorgora. Although destroyed by invading armies in the 16th century, the church was…
Eastern Ethiopia
Lake Babogaya (formerly named Bishoftu Guda) is the site of most of Bishoftu's high-end resorts. With its beautiful backdrop of volcanic Mt Yerer, this…
Eastern Ethiopia
The tiniest of the lakes dotted around town, pretty Lake Kuriftu is notable for the sprawling Kuriftu Resort and Spa that hugs the north shore.
Southern Ethiopia
Usually a stop on the way to the Lower Omo Valley, Arfaide, 20km out of town along the Jinka road, has a large collection of old waga that were recovered…
Southern Ethiopia
Chief Kalla Gezahegn is one of the nine Konso clan chiefs. A former civil engineer in Addis Ababa, he speaks fluent English and welcomes (paying) visitors…
Lalibela
Carved into the courtyard’s northern wall at Bet Maryam is the tiny semi-chapel of Bet Meskel. Four pillars divide the gallery into two aisles spanned by…
Addis Ababa
High on Entoto Mountain, there’s a terrific but windy panoramic view of Ethiopia's modern capital spread out below through the towering eucalyptus trees.
Addis Ababa
Built in 1961 by Emperor Haile Selassie, Africa Hall (near Meskal Sq) is the seat of the UN’s Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The Italian-designed…
Addis Ababa
Rising dramatically from the roundabout Siddist Kilo is this moving monument, dedicated to the thousands of innocent Ethiopians killed by the Italians as…
Addis Ababa
Despite only being founded on Addis' centenary in 1986, the Addis Ababa Museum is the city’s scruffiest museum. That said, perusing candid portraits of…
Northern Ethiopia
The museum at Hayk Estifanos Monastery, on a long peninsula 4km northeast of town, dates from the mid-13th century and was founded by Abba Iyasus Moa…
Northern Ethiopia
Although not as dramatic as the crater lakes in southern Ethiopia, Zengana Lake is still beautiful with its perfectly circular shore. The 3.4km track…
Southern Ethiopia
If you’re not in a rush, visit this low-key museum. It has various objects on display in the big round hall – the metal and brick exterior covers a…
Northern Ethiopia
Near Susenyos’ palace is the Portuguese Cathedral he funded. The decrepit state (due largely to a 1995 earthquake) evokes his failed attempt to force…
Southern Ethiopia
An hour from Addis, just over the Awash River, is the Melka Kunture prehistoric site, where many stone tools and fossils, dating back 1.8 million years,…
Eastern Ethiopia
Twice a year, tens of thousands of pilgrims converge on the little town of Kulubi and its hilltop cathedral, Kulubi Gabriel, built by Ras Mekonen to thank…
Addis Ababa
Unless you've a particular interest in Ethiopia's animals and birdlife, this is more a case of rainy day tourism. Go eye to eye with a bloated leopard –…
Addis Ababa
The octagonal Entoto Maryam Church hosted Menelik’s coronation, but sadly for a church of such historical significance, the only time you can catch a…
Northern Ethiopia
Gorgora was a hard-fought prize during the Italian occupation and on the way into town you’ll pass Mussolini’s stele, high on a hill, which commemorates…
Eastern Ethiopia
Shallow Lake Chelekleka, 2km west of the main roundabout, is a birdwatcher favourite, and lesser flamingos as well as pelicans and various species of…
Addis Ababa
This rather dusty museum has the usual collection of royal garments, valuable coins, ceremonial drums, poor lighting and bored-looking attendants, but…
Southern Ethiopia
Awasa's most prominent landmark, this cylindrical monument lies on a large roundabout east of the main avenue. It is said to represent the leaf of the…
Southern Ethiopia
Though more a local resource centre than tourist attraction, there’s a pottery display (ask staff to unlock the rooms) and occasional special exhibitions…
Northern Ethiopia
If you’re a serious monastery lover, or just want to stretch your legs on the way to and from the palace, Angara Tekla Haimanot's current church was built…
Lalibela
Downstairs at the ticket office, the uninspired museum displays the usual church items. It's an obligatory stop, but any time spent here is merely…
Eastern Ethiopia
If you’ve got time to kill, explore the livestock market, about 3km south of the bus station. Go early if you want to see camels, since they tend to sell…
Addis Ababa
The unremarkable new church on this site is far less interesting than the reconstructed original, complete with Aksumite architectural traces, alongside…
Northern Ethiopia
If you've a little time to kill, the Dessie Museum has old weapons forming the core of its varied collection.
Southern Ethiopia
The village of Chencha, 8km further up the road from Hayzo, has a vibrant market on Tuesday and Saturday.
National Archives & Library of Ethiopia
Addis Ababa
Shelves groan under the weight of 20,000 books on Ethiopia. The English-language section is quite good.
Lalibela
Lalibela’s Saturday Market is quite large. It's quieter on other days, but still worth visiting.
Holy Saviour Catholic Cathedral
Northern Ethiopia
The modern Holy Saviour Catholic Cathedral features paintings by the famous artist Tekle Afewerk.
