Addis Ababa Things to Do Tips by georeiser Top 5 Page for this destination

Bole road Bole Road Review

Bole road, or Africa road which is the official name, is a long road crossing through the south-east part of Addis Ababa from the airport to Meskel Square in the city center. The upper and middle part of the street is an area for the wealthiest people in Addis Ababa. The street has a lot of restaurants and bars.
Friendship Supermarket is located at Bole road. They accept Visa.

See GPS coordinates at the pictures...

Yekatit 12 Statue

Yekatit 12 Martyr's monument on the Yekatit 12 Square commemorates the Ethiopians who was killed by the italians in February 19, 1937. (The name "Yekatit 12" is taken from the Ethiopian calandar which is different from the Coptic calendar. The date was Yekatit 12, 1929).

Address: Yekatit 12 Square

Tiglachin Monument

Tiglachin Monument was erected in memory of the Ethiopian defense forces who repulsed the Somali army when they invaded Eastern Ethiopia in 1969.

City tour

I took a city tour and asked the taxi driver to drive around Addis Ababa for a sightseeing. The taxis in Addis Ababa are old Soviet Lada's, and the cars are really in bad condition. But the drivers are friendly and funny. Remember to bargain the price before you enter the car. A 2-3 hour drive should be aprox 200 Birr.

The photo is the statue of King Menelik II on a horse to commemorate Ethiopia's victory over the Italians at the Battle of Adowa in 1896.

Address: Adowa Square

The Lion of Judah Statue The Lion of Judah Review

The Lion of Judah Statue stands in front of office buildings in central Addis Ababa. The statue was stolen by the Italians during their occupation of the city from 1936-1941. It is now a major landmark. Althought the statue is not spectacular, it has a great symbolic value. The lion is the symbol of heroism and resistance to Ethiopians.

The Piazza area The Piazza Area Review

Piazza is the backpacker area. The hotels are cheaper and the area is pitoresque and very crowded. The name is a legacy of the Italian invasion era, and you will find some Italian cafe's and restaurants here. There are also many bars and clubs in Piazza area. The area is a "must see" when you are in Addis Ababa.

See GPS coordinate below the picture...

Cinema

Ethiopians like going to cinemas, especially on sundays. The cinema at Harambee Hotel in the downtown of Addis Ababa are among the most popular in Addis Ababa. On the picturers you can see the 50 metres queue in front of the cinema.

Directions: GPS coordinate:
8° 59' 20.9400" N 38° 47' 15.7300" E

Ethiopian National Theatre

The Ethiopian National Theatre (formerly known as Haile Selassie I Theatre) was built during the Italian occupation with 350 seats, but expanded in 1955 to seat 1260 people. A process of giving a modern setting to Ethiopian traditional music should make the tradition survive.

Directions: GPS coordinates:
9° 0' 58.8100" N 38° 45' 9.9400" E

The statue of the 1896 Battle of Adwa

The Menelik monument in the middle of a roundabout close to the Piazza area is a symbol of independence and pride, and was erected to commemorate the emperor Menelik II's victory over the Italians at the 1896 Battle of Adwa. The Italians withdraw their troups from Ethiopia after this battle.

Address: Gebeyehu Street, Addis Ababa

Directions: GPS coordinate:
9° 2' 7.7100" N 38° 45' 7.5800" E

Merkato - the largest outdoor marked in Africa Mercato Review

The Mercato market is actually a part of a district with many buildings and street scattered around. The location is in the area close to the main bus station. It is said to be the largest outdoor marked in Africa.

The area around Mercato is very crowded, and it's easy to get lost. Get a guide, as I did. The guide will also help you with the bargain.

To be honest, I have seen better markets than this one.

Address: Mercato