Walking tour of Addis Ababa: how to do it yourself

Walking tour of Addis Ababa: how to do it yourself

We take a DIY walking tour of Addis Ababa and share our insights into exploring the city

So to Addis Ababa, the last stop of our month-long Ethiopian epic. It is not unfair to say that this vast expanse of brown-colored avenues has little cheerfulness or charm. Most tourists only stop in transit on their way to the country's better sights.

However, skipping Addis is an act of folly because Addis is essential to understanding Ethiopia. The capital is home to Lucy, the famous fossil who rewrote human history; it houses over 110 international embassies; and is the headquarters of the African Union.

Addis Ababa offers excellent cuisine, fascinating museums and a unique insight into Ethiopia's many contradictions. It is both international and parochial, progressive and religious, evolving but struggling.

After a few days to regroup in Bishoftu, we were ready to explore again. We ventured on a DIY tour of Addis Ababa to get a glimpse of the sprawling city from the street.

Hiking map of Addis Ababa

Distance: 8 kmWalking time: 1 hour 40 mTotal time: 8 hours (depending on the time required for each attraction)

We stayed at the Sheraton Addis and took a taxi to the first sight of our walking tour (Holy Trinity Cathedral). If you want to walk the entire loop to and from the Sheraton, plan a distance of 12 km and a walking time of 2 hours 30 minutes.

Walking Tour of Addis Ababa Sights

Holy Trinity Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is one of the most important places of worship in Ethiopia. With a large copper dome, ornate towers and a fascinating mix of architectural styles, it is a good starting point for your Addis Ababa walking tour.

alt=“The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity on a walking tour of Addis Ababa”>The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Addis Ababa

Inside the cathedral are magnificent murals, glittering stained glass windows and the large granite tombs of Emperor Haile Selassie and his wife, Empress Menen Asfaw.

You may need to enlist a local to help you find the priest who will properly grant you entry into the cathedral - often for a small donation.

Stop at the churchyard, which contains the graves of some of the patriots who resisted the Italian occupation - including British suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst, who died in Addis Ababa in 1960 and received a full state funeral!

National Museum of Ethiopia

The National Museum of Ethiopia is a worthy stop on your Addis Ababa tour, if only to see the cast of Lucy, the fossil that rewrote human history.

alt=“Tour of the National Museum of Addis Ababa”>Atlas & BootsThe National Museum is an essential stop on a tour of Addis Ababa

Lucy's 40% complete skeleton was discovered in 1974 by paleontologist Donald C. Johanson in the Afar region of Ethiopia and dated to be 3.2 million years old, making her the earliest known human ancestor at the time. She was 1.1 m tall and is believed to have died as a young adult.

In the basement of the National Museum there are two casts of Lucy: one in a prone position and the other (less impressive) cast standing upright. The real bones are kept in the museum archives.

St. George's Cathedral

The courtyard of St. George's Cathedral provides a quiet place of repose to observe the faithful sitting in groups on the benches surrounding the cathedral.

alt="Walk through Addis Ababa Cathedral">Atlas & BootsSt. George’s Cathedral offers a pause for reflection

The cathedral, named after the patron saint of Ethiopia, was commissioned by Emperor Menelik II to celebrate his victory over the Italians at Adwa in 1896.

Octagonal in shape and neoclassical style, St. George's was completed in 1911 with the help of Greek, Armenian and Indian artists and has played an important role in Ethiopian history. Empress Zewditu (1916) and Emperor Haile Selassie (1930) were crowned here.

Raizel Cafe

We were hoping to stop at Tomoca Coffee on Wawel Street for some much-needed refreshment. Unfortunately we arrived early afternoon to find the place swaying. Instead of the comfortable chairs we had imagined, we found three bar tables and a small square room filled mostly with men. I didn't feel entirely comfortable going into this fight, so we continued on to the nearby Raizel Cafe instead.

Less characterful but much more spacious, Raizel is a lovely spot for an aromatic coffee and a piece of fresh cake. Pastries, pizzas, and sandwiches are also available, so recharge before continuing your tour of Addis Ababa.

Derg monument

It's a 2 km walk to Derg Monument from Raizel Cafe, so consider taking a taxi for this part.

The structure - officially known as the Tiglachin Monument - consists of a central statue, two wall reliefs and a 50 m high central column.

alt="Tour of the Derg Monument in Addis Ababa">Atlas & BootsThe Derg Monument is a poignant reminder of Ethiopia's communist era

Built under Derg leader Mengistu Haile Mariam, the monument is adorned with a large red star and gold hammer and sickle and stands today as a lasting reminder of Ethiopia's painful communist period.

It is said that the current government, the EPRDF, which overthrew the Derg, has deliberately left the monument to decay and there has even been talk of demolition.

Lion of Judah monument and statue

The Lion of Judah Monument has quite a history. Built on the eve of Haile Selassie's coronation in 1930, it was looted by Italians in 1935 and taken to Rome, where it was placed next to the huge monument to Vittorio Emanuele II.

alt=“The Lion of Judah stands proudly on our walking tour of Addis Ababa”>Atlas & BootsThe Lion of Judah stands proud

In 1938, during celebrations honoring the Italian Empire, Eritrean patriot Zerai Deres discovered the monument and interrupted the proceedings to kneel and pray in front of it. Confronted by the police, Deres fought back with a scimitar and shouted: “The Lion of Judah has been avenged.” He wounded several officers and reportedly killed five before being shot and arrested. He died in Italian prison seven years later, but his legend lives on in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

The monument was eventually returned to Addis Ababa in the 1960s and now stands in front of Addis Ababa Central Station. Nearby is the impressive statue of the Lion of Judah.

alt=“The statue of the Lion of Judah on an Addis Ababa going out”>DreamtimeThe Lion of Judah statue

“Red Terror” Martyrs’ Memorial Museum.

The Red Terror Martyrs' Memorial Museum is a small but fine museum dedicated to the victims of the Derg regime. The museum commemorates Cambodia's S21 and features walls of photos showing just some of the estimated half a million people killed under the Derg.

alt=”Tour of the “Red Terror” Martyrs’ Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa”>CC BY-SA 2.0“Red Terror” Martyrs’ Memorial Museum.

Exhibits include torture instruments, skulls and bones, coffins and the victims' bloody clothing, making for a harrowing but important experience.

A cabinet displays a watch given to a woman by her husband as he was being taken away by Derg soldiers. "Keep this safe. You'll need it one day," he told her. When the museum opened, she brought the clock here.

Bonus: Ethnological Museum

Unfortunately we didn't make it to the Ethnological Museum, but it comes highly recommended by both guides and locals. The museum covers the breadth of Ethiopia's cultural and social history and is divided into sections based on the life cycle: childhood, adulthood and death and beyond. It covers a wide range of topics, from birth and rites of passage to war and medicine to burial sites and tombs - probably worth a stop on your Addis Ababa walking tour.

Tips for hiking in Addis Ababa

• In Addis Abeba kann es heiß und staubig sein, also nehmen Sie viel Wasser und Sonnencreme mit.
• Sie können mit Werbern konfrontiert werden. Lächeln Sie, erwidern Sie ihren Gruß, aber gehen Sie einfach weiter.
• Tragen Sie nicht zu viel Geld bei sich und verstauen Sie Ihre Wertsachen.
• Fühlen Sie sich nicht schuldig, wenn Sie die Tour abbrechen, wenn Sie sich müde fühlen.

Walking Tour of Addis Ababa: The Most Important Things

What: A DIY walking tour of Addis Ababa.

Where: After a month in Ethiopia, we treated ourselves to the luxury of two nights at the Sheraton Addis, affectionately known as the “Grand Old Dame of Africa”. With its classic decor, spacious grounds and immaculately uniformed staff, the Sheraton Addis feels grand indeed.

• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>

Atlas & Boots | Sheraton

This is the Africa of diplomats, military men and hired news correspondents. One may argue that it is not the “real” Africa, but as we said in TIA, there is no one “real” Africa. We were as happy here as anywhere. Lounging in the lounge, with its plush carpet and brass trim, you'd almost think you were on the Orient Express. Add to that the impressively intuitive staff, a tasteful room and a regal breakfast, and it's hard to find fault with this grand old lady of Africa.

When: The best time to visit Addis Ababa in Ethiopia is October to March, when most parts of the country experience pleasant temperatures, blue skies and low rainfall.

How: Sheraton Addis operates a free shuttle to and from Bole, the country's main international airport. Book international flights via skyscanner.net.

Domestic flights are the fastest way to travel in Ethiopia (check the latest routes here). It is much cheaper to book flights at an Ethiopian Airlines office in the country. Be sure to mention if you flew internationally with them as you will be eligible for a significant discount.

Skybus and Selam operate comfortable buses between Addis Ababa and major cities.

Lonely Planet Ethiopia is a comprehensive travel guide to the country, ideal for those who want to both explore the top attractions and take the road less traveled. If you prefer to travel in a tour, we recommend G Adventures and their small group Ethiopia tours.

old=““>

Mission statement: Dreamstime

      .