"I love cities with meaningful names" Top 5 Page for this destination Addis Ababa by SirRichard

Addis Ababa Travel Guide: 378 reviews and 1,112 photos

"New Flower"

Founded more than a century ago to be stablished as capital of the Ethiopian country, Addis does not look at first as a "new flower". It is indeed a chaotic dusty city but in the other hand it is a safe busy and bustling place in the highlands that surely deserves more time than a couple of days as arrival/departure hub.

Ministries and huts

In Addis, as in many african capitals you will find "capital" contrasts between the modern new areas and the tin huts around it.
Addis is a city of Ministries, the Ministery of Health, the Ministry of Commerce... huge avenues, wide and empty and also many many many bustling quarters with low buildings and high activity, markets, restaurants, taxis, minibuses.
I like walking and on my second day I decided to save on taxis and go from one side of the "centre" to the other walking. Man, it was a long walking, it took me more than 1,5 hours, walking along governmental avenues, endless gardens (closed to the public of course), monumental hotels (for foreigners, obviously) and infinite suburbian avenues till I found the restaurant I was heading for. It was about to close, Haha.

People

In the bus to BahirDar

I found people in Addis friendly and helpful. Though not many, except some young people, speak fluent english, I always found people willing to help and nice with the visitor.
When I returned to Addis on the way back to take the place I made no reservation for hotels, just as I did all the way in my trip. BUT Addis hotels areoften full and there is not much offer. In my 3rd trial that night, I arrived to the Buffet de la Gare, they were full also, but the man in charge let me wait at the lobby (it was raining and I was carrying a heavy rucksack). He then asked me which range of hotel was I looking for. Made a couple of phone calls and he told me in the Lido they had place for one. Called a taxi 4 me and put me on the way to the Lido, which happened to be a really nice place.
That's hospitality, I Think!

Last visit to Addis Ababa: Aug 2006
Intro Updated Nov 18, 2006
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Reviews (15)

Ethiopain Airlines billboard in Meskel Sq. - Addis Ababa

Ethiopian airlines Transportation (2)

Ethiopian are one of the best airlines in Africa, safe and reliable. Not the cheapest option to fly there from Europe.... more travel advice

The minubuses from the airport - Addis Ababa

Airport Transportation (2)

The Bole international Airport has a national flights building too. It is a rather modern medium size airport. Tourist... more travel advice

Mercato Things to Do (1)

This huge area is probably the biggest open air market in east Africa. The word comes from the italian word for... more travel advice

Entoto Road Favorites (2)

This is another main avenue here, where you can visit the National Museum (the Lucy skeleton, Haile Selassie throne...),... more travel advice

Restaurants (3)
See All Jah Restaurant

Hotels (7)
See All Ras Hotel

Comments (5)

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bananas237 Oct 5, 2008 at 1:25 PM

I'm very sorry. I accidentally posted the previous comment on the wrong page. My sincerest apologies.
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Pawtuxet Feb 17, 2008 at 6:45 AM

thanks for sharing this with me. I'd love to see more of Ethiopia.
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leonik Mar 25, 2007 at 6:05 AM

i miss ethiopia... and tomoca! love ethiopian coffee... thanks for sharing!
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titti Nov 19, 2006 at 9:26 AM

"meaningful names"... it reminds me when I decided to go to Mauritania just because I loved the name... A friend, who came with me, is still blaming me for that. But I loved the place, as well.
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xaver Nov 18, 2006 at 12:44 PM

LOL nice comment about sheraton, will be back when the page is done as I am thinking to go next year!