City Guide: Addis Ababa

Founded in 1887, Addis Ababa meaning “New Flower” is the capital city of Ethiopia. Located at the center of country and placed at the foothills of Entoto Mountains, the capital is the political, social, economic and cultural hearth of Ethiopia. The headquarters of African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Comission for Africa (UN-ECS) are placed at Addis Ababa.

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• Tourist Attractions

  Standing as a cosmopolitan metropolis, Addis Abba is socially and architecturally a varied city. High-rise office buildings, luxury hotels, majestic villas and different bungalows are the most conspicuous respects of the capital. Addis Ababa has no city center. The unplanned structuring is the result of the natural evolution. The city is mainly divided into three regions.
  
  The East Part is home to important governmental and educational structures. Here, Menelik and Jubilee Palaces, Meskal (Revolution) Square and Hilton Hotel is located.
  
  The Central Part is the commercial section of the city. The City Hall, St. George Cathedral, the headquarters of National and Commercial Banks are existed here.      
  
  The West Part is the center for the trade in Addis Ababa. The Grand Mosque which is one of the best ones existed in the city is placed at this section. 
  
  Medhane Alem (Savior of the World) Cathedral of the capital is the 2nd largest cathedral in Africa.
  
  Africa Park located near UN-ECS is one the beautiful parks of Addis Ababa. The park was built by Sheik Mohammed Alamudin.

• Culture & Entertainment

  The cosmopolitan structure of Addis Ababa is realized in its culture, too. The city is home to people from 80 nationalities and different religion communities. 
  
  The capital hosts many valuable museums.  Ethiopian Ethnography Museum, Ethiopian National Museum, Addis Ababa Museum, Ethiopian Natural History Museum, Ethiopian Railway Museum and
  
  National Postal Museum are among the most popular ones. You should see the excellent collection of the Ethnography Museum to know the ethnic structure of Ethiopia. The National Museum is shown as one of the most significant museums in Africa. Also, Ethiopian National Library is found in the city.
  
  The National Theater placed at the center and Hagher Fikir Theater located at the Piazza District are two of the main theaters of Addis Ababa. Hager Fikir founded in 1935 is the oldest theater in Africa. The modern music and drama of Ethopia was born and developed at this theater.
  
  Addis Ababa University placed at the east part of the city is the oldest university in Ethiopia. Operating since 1950, it was first named as the University College of Addis Abba. Having six campuses within the borders of Addis Ababa, it has also branches in the other Ethiopian cities.

• Food & Drink

  Addis Ababa does not fall short of the other capitals by its cuisine. At every part of the city, you will find a great deal of restuarants offering exotic delicacies and from many parts of the world. You will find appetizers, salads, vegetarian, beef, lamb, poultary tastes, beverages, desserts and more in the menu list of city cuisine. Especially, tibs (stir-fired delicacies) are popular.

• Shopping

  Addis Ababa shopping world is wonderful and well-equiped. Shops spread in the city are stocked with all kinds of goods. Local leather products and jewellery are in high demand. The town shops present a great range of alternatives for all kinds of curiosities.   
  
  The largest market of Africa is found in Addis Ababa. Including a wide range of goods and products, Addis Merkato is located at the Addis Ketema District. Being the largest open air market in Africa, Merkato is home to every kind of local agricultural products. Every kind of the tasty city coffe is found here. In addition, from antiques to fashionable products, you will find shopping world of a broad range in Merkato.

Ticket Sales Offices: Addis Ababa

• Addis Ababa: Airport Map Information

  Bole Intl. Airport

  Address	:	Bole Intl. Havalimanı
  Phone	:

• Addis Ababa: Airport Map Information