Addis Ababa Addis Ababa

Hotels in

Addis Ababa Axum Dire Dawa Gondar Harar Lalibela Mekelle Yeha Wildlife Historical Places Awash National Park Abiyata National Park ale National Park Gambella National Park Lakes !ift "alley National Park National Parks #imien National Park $mo National Park %thio&ia tra'el facts %thio&ia(s )ourist Attractions )ra'el A*encies )our $&erators Addis Ababa Addis Ababa weather Addis Ababa City Map Description Addis Ababa (the name means 'new flower') is of fairly recent origin Menelik 11 founded the city in 1887. ituated in the foothills of the !ntoto Mountains and standing "#$%% metres abo&e sea le&el it is the third highest ca'ital in the world. (he city has a 'o'ulation of about two million. )efore mo&ing to the 'resent site of Addis Ababa# Menelik had established tem'orary ca'itals at si* different locations caused by e*hausting the fuel wood at each of these sites. Addis itself was in danger of being abandoned until the introduction of fast-growing eucaly'tus trees from Australia 'ro&ided the city with a regular source of fuel. Addis Ababa is an im'ortant administrati&e centre not only for !thio'ia but also for the whole of Africa. (he head+uarters of the ,- !conomic .ommission for Africa was established here in 1/08 and it is the site of the 1A,'s secretariat. Getting There and Away )y Air 2 )ole 3nternational Air'ort is 0 kilometres from the city centre and is undergoing ma4or e*tensions# with a new 3nternational 5assenger (erminal )uilding under construction2 !thio'ian Airlines run a free shuttle bus into the city. (a*is and 'contract ta*is' run to and from the city# and lea&e the city from 5ia66a area )y )us 2

(he " main bus stations in Addis are the Autobus (erra near Mercato# and the smaller terminal on 7as Mekonin A&e near the railway station. All -ational buses# with the e*ce'tion of buses to -a6ret and 1ebre 8eyi lea&e from the Autobus (erra. )uses to -a6ret and 9ebre 8eyit de'art from the terminal in 7as Mekonin A&e. Getting Around :ery few streets ha&e names in Addis Ababa # and if they do may not be known by the names on the ma'. (he e*ce'tion to this is .hurchill A&enue which is the main thoroughfare and sho''ing street in Addis. 3t is best to na&igate by using landmarks like the 5ost 1ffice ('osto bet)# Abiot (also known as Meskal)# the station (la gare) and areas like 5ia66a and Mercato# which are sho''ing areas. ome roads ha&e one name on the ma' and another in general use. ;or e*am'le Africa A&enue on the ma' is uni&ersally known as )ole 7oad# and <as )iru A&enue as 9ebre 8eit 7oad. (here is a large and efficient network of blue and white minibuses which co&er the town. Attractions

Africa Hall: Africa <all is on Menelik 11 A&e - an im'osing symbol of African inde'endence and o'timism. 3t houses the head+uarters of the ,!conomic .ommission for Africa. (he huge stained glass windows de'ict the suffering of the 'eo'le of Africa. (he ;ilwoha s'rings are 4ust to the west of the Africa <all. (hese s'rings# which ha&e ob&iously lost some of their former beauty# 'rom'ted =ueen (aytu to 'ersuade her husband to establish his new ca'ital at Addis Ababa. (he thermal waters are now di&erted to an ad4acent bathing com'le*. Also ne*t to the Africa <all lies the huge +uare a natural am'hitheater where 'arades are held e&ery e'tember to mark the 1/7$ re&olution. 5ortraits of Mar*# Angels# >enin and .omrade Mengistur used to adorn the s+uare. St George's Cathedral:

t ?eorge's .athedral (?iorgis .athedral). lies at the north end of .hurchill 7d. )uilt in 18/@ in the traditional octagonal sha'e to commemorate !thio'ia's &ictory o&er the 3talians at the )attle of Adwa# the .athedral houses the work of Afewerk (ekle# the renowned !thio'ian artist res'onsible for the stained glass windows of the Africa <all. .athedral o'ens %8%%-%/%% and 1"%%-1$%%. (here is a small museum in the com'ound. The Menelik Mausoleu : (he Menelik Mausoleum# built in 1/$1 to ser&e as the tombs of em'erors and 'rinces# and the (rinity .athedral# are located nearby t. ?eorge's. (he (rinity .athedral was built to commemorate !thio'ia's liberation from fi&e years of 3talian occu'ation.

Haile Selassie's Grand palace: <aile elassie's ?rand 'alace is located north east of .hurchill A&e at the end of .olsen t. (he !m'eror has a second residence# Aubilee 5alace# on Menelik A&e# 4ust north of the ?hion <otel. !ational Museu : (he small -ational Museum is located at <an t B Cilo crossroads# 4ust north of t Mary's .hurch. ?uides are the only real source of information# since the e*hibits are 'oorly labelled# but they &ary in standard. (he e*hibits are &aried# and include >ucyD the female fossil skeleton found in northeast !thio'ia in 1/7$# belie&ed to be about three and a half million years old. (he museum has an e*tensi&e collection of artifacts# some 'redating the A*umite ci&ili6ation of (igre. 3t also includes a selection of the more than "%% designs of crosses found in !thio'ia. 3t is o'en from %8E%-1"E% and 1EE%-17E%. -ear the museum are the >ion .ages# 'robably the only 'lace in !thio'ia to see the Abyssinian lion. (he cages are 'robably best not &isited by animal lo&ers. Menelik

++#,uareIn Menelik II Square stands the imposing equestrian statue of Emperor Menelik II, the victor of Adawa. The statue was erected b Emperor !aile Selassie and dedicated on the da before his coronation in "#$%, in memor of his great predecessor. The square is located outside the main gates of St. &eorge 'athedral (&enete Tsige Menagesha )idus &iorgis*, and is close to 'it !all. The distance markers on all the highwa s in Ethiopia mark the distance to their location from the base of the statue of Emperor Menelik II in this Square. Ever ear, on the anniversar of the victor of the +attle of Adawa, the Emperor would la a wreath at this statue after attending mass at St. &eorge 'athedral (the victor had occurred on St. &eorge,s -a *. 'ol. Mengistu continued la ing a wreath here on the anniversar , but did not attend the church services as his regime was Mar.ist.

Yekatit ./ Martyrs #,uare 0#idist 1ilo2The /ekatit "0 Square (Sidist )ilo* monument stands in tribute to the thousands of innocent mart rs butchered b the 1ascist Italian 2ccupiers on that date in in the Ethiopian 'alender ear of "#0# ("#$3 &regorian 'alendar*. The massacre took place at the order of the Italian 4ice56o Marshal &ra77iani in response to an assassination attempt against him carried out b two pro5Ethiopia Eritreans. The monument is shown here during a religious procession of priests of the 2rthodo. 'hurch, probabl at Timkat (Epiphan *. 8reaths were laid here b the Emperor to commemorate the massacre ever ear. 'ol. Mengistu !aile Mariam continued this practice during his rule, but for a time after the fall of the -ergue regime, onl the Ma or of Addis carried out this practice. 6ecentl , the 9resident of the 1ederal 6epublic has taken over this task. The monument is in the form of a white obelisk with black bas reliefs of scenes of the massacre as well as scenes of the Imperial funeral accorded to the remains of the victims in the presence of the Emperor following the liberation around it. A :ion of ;udah also decorates the face of the obelisk. Even though the image of the :ion of ;udah and the Emperor !aile Selassie were removed from all over the cit during the reign of the -ergue, the suprisingl did not touch this monument. The monument stands in the Sidist )ilo square infront of the /ekatit "0 !ospital (formerl Emperor !aile Selassie !ospital and known before that as the +eite Saida !ospital*. Also facing the square are the southern gates of the &uenete :eul 9alace, which toda is the main campus of the Addis Ababa <niversit (formerl !aile Selassie I <niversit *. Another ma=or attraction ad=oining the square is the old Imperial :ion >oo, where man of the old Imperial lions and their decendents

live. The 'hurches of Menbere :eul )idus Markos (Altar of 9rinces St. Marks 'hurch* and the Meskia !a7unan Medhane Alem are both nearb , as are the former palaces of the 'rown 9rince (later the 9olitical 'adre,s 'ollege during the -ergue Era*, the -uke of !arrar (later the !eadquarters of the 8omens wing of the 8orkers 9art of Ethiopia*, and 9rincess Tenagnework (later the headquarters of the Ethiopian ?av *, as well as the American and &reek Embassies. Meya3ia /4 #,uare 0Arat 1ilo2Me a7ia 0@ Square is the official name of what is popularl known as Arat )ilo, a name that applies both to the square and the surrounding district of the cit of Addis Ababa. The monument at the heart of the Square commemorates the victor over the fascist Italian invaders, and the struggle that preceded it (Me a7ia 0@ on the Ethiopian 'alendar, Ma Ath on the &regorian 'alendar, is both the da that Addis Ababa was occupied b the 1ascists, as well as the da that Emperor !aile Selassie returned to his capital in triumph e.actl A ears later*. The original monument includes a relief of the Emperor !aile Selassie holding the national flag, which was altered during the reign of the -ergue regime into a representation of a guerrilla fighter holding the national flag. The E96-1 regime that deposed the -ergue restored the Emperor,s face to the monument. The central obelisk, topped b a :ion of ;udah, actuall predates the fascist occupation, and the surrounding circle of relief figures and monumental panels was added after the war. The Arat )ilo monument stands at the heart of Addis Ababa,s government district, and in front of the Ministr of Education building (not shown here*. !ol Trinit 'athedral (whose dome can be seen in the background* and the 9arliament building are nearb , as are the present office of the 9rime Minister and the Imperial 9alace. Also nearb are the Science 'ollege, the !ol Trinit Theological college, Emperor Menelik II !igh School and the +erhan Ena Selam 9rinting 9ress. 1oreign !eads of State customaril la a wreath at this monument during state visits. This square was the focus of 4ictor -a celebrations held on Ma Ath (Me a7ia 0@* ever ear when the Emperor would la a wreath here following his attendance at Mass at Meskia !a7unan Medhane Alem 'hurch ('hurch of the Savior of the 8orld, 'onsoler of the &rieved*. The -ergue regime changed the date of 4ictor -a to the da that &eneral 'unningham and his +ritish, South African and ?igerian Troops actuall entered the cit . The post -ergue government in Ethiopia has restored 4ictor -a to it,s original date. )he Lion of 5udah MonumentThe :ion of ;udah Monument stands in the square in front

of Addis Ababa,s train station. The golden colored statue of the :ion of ;udah in it,s complete glor stands on a black granite pedestal which is decorated with relief portraits of Emperors Menelik II and !aile Selassie I, and Empress >ewditu, as well as 6as Makonnen. It marks the foot of the cit ,s widest and avenue, 'hurchill 6oad which has the impressive Addis Ababa 'it !all at it,s other end. The :ion of ;udah statue has a ver interesting histor . Erected in "#$% =ust before Emperor !aile Selassie,s coronation, it was looted b the Italian occupiers in "#$A and taken to 6ome, where it was erected ne.t to the 4ittorio Emanuelle Monument. -uring the Bth anniversar celebrations of the proclomation of the Itlian Empire, Adolf !itler chose to visit 6ome, and attended the celebrator parades along side the 1ascist -ictator Musollini and )ing 4ictor Emanuelle III. In the parade were numerous sub=ects of Ital ,s African Empire, including a oung Eritrean named >erai -eres. >erai -eres was marching with other parade members carr ing a ceremonial sword with which to salute the )ing, the 1uhrer, and el -uce, at the grandstand. As the parade marched past the 4ittorio Emauelle monument, >erai looked up and saw to his shock, the golden :ion of ;udah, the s mbol of the ancient monarch to which his ancestors had long owed aliegence, erected as war boot in the heart of 6ome. It was too much for him to bear, and he promptl drew his sword and with tears of anger running down his face he fell on the first Italian officer he could find. !e killed and wounded numerous Italian militar officers before he was killed. >erai -eres is lioni7ed to this da as a brave Ethiopian patriot. The monument remained in 6ome for several decades, and was finall returned to Addis Ababa after long negotiations in the "#3%,s. 8hen it was re5erected in it,s square the da it arrived, the Emperor was present in militar uniform to salute, and to pa tribute to >erai -eres. 1ollowing the revolution in "#@B, the -ergue regime decided to remove the statue once more as it was a monarchist s mbol. !owever, the elderl war veterans association members appealed to the -ergue to consider the memor of >erai -eres and his sacrifice that was inspired b this ver s mbol. This act saved the statue and it stood it all it,s Imperial glor right through the -ergue era, and continues to stand toda .

Abune Petros Memorial;ust 8est of Addis Ababa,s impressive 'it !all, down the hill on the main road to the Merkato district is Abune 9etros Square with it,s imposing statue. Abune 9etros, the Ethiopian 2rthodo. +ishop of 8ello who was e.ecuted b the Italians

at the edge of this ver square. Abune 9etros was one of the four first native Ethiopians who were anointed as bishops b the 'optic 9atriarch of Ale.andria to serve under the 'optic born Archbishop Abune )erllos of Ethiopia in "#$0. Abune 9etros was given the province of 8ello as his diocese. In "#$3, the 1ascist armies of +enito Mussolini occupied much of Ethiopia, and Abune 9etros traveled to the northern Shewan district of Men7 to =oin the sons of 6as )assa, -e=a7matches 8ondwossen, Abera and Asfa 8ossen )assa and other resistance leaders to plan an attack on the Italians to drive them out of Addis Ababa. The attack failed in "#$@, and the +ishop was captured. -efiantl refusing to submit to Italian rule, he was condemned to death. Shortl before his e.ecution Abune 9etros +ishop of 8ello, dressed in his clerical robes, held up his hand cross and pronounced his anathema on the people and on the ver earth of Ethiopia itself, if the were ever to submit to the invader. !e was then shot to death in front of a horrified audience. Emperor !aile Selassie had the statue erected in the memor of this great +ishop upon his restoration to the throne. The spot of his e.ecution on the western edge of this square is also marked b a memorial slab. Sadl , during the brutal rule of the -ergue regime, the bodies of man victims of the C6ed TerrorC were displa ed in this square. Mercato(he Mercato is located in western Addis Ababa and is one of the largest markets in Africa offering an array of colors# aromas# costumes# 'roduce and 4ewellery. )eware of 'ick'ockets. 3n Mercato &irtually e&ery 'ossible commodity is on sale# from li&estock to com'uters. !ntity is the mountain range that rises to the north of Addis and is easily accessible from the city. (his is where Menelik started his first ca'ital# and the .hurch of !ntonto Mariam where he was crowned can still be &isited At the to' of the hill is the .hurch of !ntonto 7aguel which offers stunning &iews. Acco odation ?o&ernment owned hotels (he ?hion# !thio'ia# Fabe hebelle# Africa# <arambee# 7as and -ational hotels may ha&e restrictions on unmarried cou'les sharing rooms. ?o&ernment hotels can be booked through the -(1 or the head office of the hotel chain. (he ?hion ?rou' manages the ?hion# the (aitu and the -ational hotels (el. 01E"""# ;a* 010E81.

(he 7as ?rou' manages the 7as# -ile and the Africa hotels# (el. 017%@%# ;a* 010EE. (he Fabe hebelle ?rou' manages the Fabe hebelle and the Maskal ;lower hotels# (017187. (he !thio'ian grou' manages the <arambee# !thio'ia and (ourist hotels (el. 017$%%. )uffet de la ?are is the best &alue in town. (o' 7ange Addis Ababa <ilton# &ery central on Menelik A&e# (el. 018$%%# ;a* 01%%@$# (*"11%$. >u*ury accommodation with com'rehensi&e business and recreations facilities heraton Addis &ery central on Gohanis t# (el. 0171E8# ;a* 01$%"/# reser&ations (el. 0171E8 Africa# 9e4a6mach Forld Mikael t# (el. 017%@%B$$7E80 .arrera >odge# 7oose&elt t# 51 )o* @"7E# (el. 7001$$B70$$//. !thio'ia# Gohannes A&e near .hurchill 7d# (el. 0117$%%B$$7$%%# (ele* ""1%7". >ocated in business and commercial district ?hion# &ery central on Menelik A&e# close to 7e&olution +uare# (el. 01E"""B$$E17%# (ele* "111" ?uenet# )eyene Merid t# (el. 0181"0# older style <arambee# (aitu t# (el. 017$%%B10$%%%B10$E"7B10$""@B10$$07# (ele* "1%7" lbe*# )ole 7d# (el. @0$$%%. -ew# comfortable hotel -ational# Menelik A&e# (el. 01E"""B1001@@# (ele* "111" )lue -ile# 7as Mekonin A&e# (el. 017%@%. 7as# .hurchill 7d# (el. 017%@%B$$7%@%# (ele* "1$80. Aust north of railway station# &ery 'o'ular and one of the oldest hotels in Addis Fabe hebelle# 7as Abebe Aragay t# (el. 010187B$$7187B/%. Medium 7ange A*um# Asmara 7d# 51 )o* $%E18# (el. 1888E". )alu# near 5ia66a. ?ood &alue. )uffet de la ?are# near station# 51 )o* "E81# (el. 017888B0171"0# ;a* 010/0/ ?ood location#. Maskal ;lower <otel# ad4acent to the 9ebre 8eit 7oad# (el. 017187. .entral# good &alue. (ourist# near ?rand 5alace and (rinity .athederal. 5o'ular. >ower 7ange

;ilwoha <otel# (el. 011$%$. -ear the hot s'rings. ;in-;in <otel# o''osite the ;ilwoha <awi# 9ebre 8eit 7d# south of the city centre. <olidar <otel# Asmara 7d# near the 5la6a <otel. ?ood &alue. Gordanos <otel# Asmara 7d# (el. 010711# ;a* 01@@00# 51 )o* 1@$7. 7ecommended. )el Air <otel# off =ueen !li6abeth t# near 7as Ambas <otel allows cam'ing. 9ebre 9amo# Asmara 7d.?ood &alue. "here to #at Addis (segenet# Fabe hebelle <otel# 7as Abebe Aragay t# (el. $$7187B/%. 7oof-to' location# on l1th floor# good &iews Abiata 7estaurant# Fabe hebelle <otel# 7as Abebe Aragay t# 3nternational cuisine. Addis Ababa 7estaurant# Featherall t. (raditional !thio'ian food .asino 7estaurant# ?hion <otel# Menelik A&e# 3nternational cuisine and flambe nights on ;riday and aturday in gardens. .hina )ar# off 7as Mekonin A&e. .hinese cuisine ;in-;in <otel# Atse Gohannes A&e# near the <ilton <otel. !thio'ian cuisine ?hion 7estaurant# ?hion <otel# Menelik A&e. 3nternational cuisine. <arar ?rill# Addis Ababa <ilton# Menelik A&e# ;rench cuisine. Aacaranda# Addis Ababa <ilton Menelik A&e. 3talian and Me*ican food. >ambardo# on 7as Abebe Aregay A&e. 3talian food .ottage 7estaurant H 5ub# near the <arambee <otel on 9esta 9emtew A&e wiss food. >alibela# 7as 9esta A&e. 3nternational cuisine. #ntertain ents .inema2 Mainly American# 3ndian and Arabic films are shown. Ambassador (heatre# near -ational (heatre and <arambee <otel on Atse A&e. .inema !thio'ia# near 5ia66a. (heatre2 -ational (heatre on .hurchill 7d near the !thio'ia <otel has regular traditional dance and music 1@%%-18%% on (hursday.

.ity hall# at the north end of .hurchill 7d -ightclubs2 .oncord -ightclub on .oncord A&e. :ery 'o'ular. EM .lub at .arrera >odge <otel# on 7oose&elt t to the southwest of the centre. >i&e bands at weekends. ?hion -ightclub# on Menelik A&e# close to 7e&olution s+uare. (he (unnel# on .hurchill north of 7as <otel. 'ort2 wimming2 at ?hion <otel# and at <ilton <otel. (ennis2 at ?hion <otel# <ilton <otel# ?uenet <otel# (aitu <otel. <orse racing2 at Aan Meda# (el.11"0$%. -ortheast of the city centre off Muluetsa t occer2 at Addis Ababa tadium on 7as 9esta 9amtew A&e. (here are games on most (hursday e&enings and on aturday and unday.

Transport )us2 ;or bus 4ourneys to the regions it is necessary to buy a ticket the day before de'arture. )us station ticket office o'ens at %8%%# and to be certain of booking you should arri&al by %7%% 7ed and yellow Ambasa buses o'erate within the city# sto''ing at e&ery red and yellow marking. (here is a flat fare 'er 'erson for a one way tri'. (a*i2 .ream coloured -ational (our 1'erator ta*is o'erate at )ale 3nternational Air'ort. (here is also a minibus ser&ice from the air'ort. 5ri&ate ta*i ser&ice o'erates in the smaller blue and white cars along set routes# often on &ehicle sharing basis. Air2 !thio'ian Airways connects with many !uro'ean destinations and with "E African cities 3n addition there are direct flights by Abyssinian Airlines# Alitalia# Aeroflot# )ritish Airlines# !gy't Air# >ufthansa# 3nterflug# C>M 6o al

-utch Airlines# udan Airways# Gemenian and Cenyan Airways. 3nternal flights with !thio'ian Airlines and Abyssinian Airlines are efficient and chea'. (rain2 A 78" kilometre railway connects Addis with 94ibouti on the 7ed ea. (he trains from Addis Ababa lea&e daily at around %7%% and 1/E%# arri&ing in 94ibouti a''ro*imately "$ hours later. (he main sto' is at 9ire 9awa# a bit o&er half way. )ooking is at the railway station at the southern end of .hurchill 7d. 3t necessary to make a reser&ation as the train is often full. 7oad )uses to and from the regions are fre+uent. <owe&er the road s are in 'oor condition# so allow for e*tra 4ourney time. (he main bus terminal is at Merkato while a second bus station is near the railway station on 7as Mekonin A&e with fre+uent ser&ices to nearby destinations such as 9ebre 8eit# Mo4o and -a6ret. Airlines2 Air 94ibouti# (el. 107E"". Air ;rance (el. 1/%$$. Air (an6ania .or'oration# (el. 1070E. Alitalia# 5. 1. )o* E"$%# (el. 10$@$%. !thio'ian Airlines has E offices in .ity centre near -ational (heatre on .hurchill A&e ( this office for internal flights# which ha&e to be 'aid for in , I cash (el. $$7%%%). (he head office is at the air'ort (el. 01""""B@1"""". Cenya Airways# 5.1. )o* EE81 ( $$E%18. >ufthansa# 5.1.)o* "$8$# new 3nsurance building# .hurchill 7d. $anks .ommercial )ank of !thio'ia at air'ort. .ommercial bank of !thio'ia .hurchill 7d. -ational )ank of !thio'ia .hurchill 7d. %ostal and Co unication Ser&ices 5ost 1ffice on .hurchill A&e near Adua s+uare# o'en %8%%-1@%%. (ele'hone .alls can made through the telecommunications <ead 1ffice o''osite <oly a&iour church. (ele*# telegram and fa* ser&ice are also a&ailable from here# and from the main 5ost 1ffice on .hurchill 7d. .ollect calls can be made. Most of the larger hotels ha&e tele* and telegram facilities.

Hospitals and Medical Ser&ices )lack >ion <os'ital on .hurchill 7d behind (iglachin monument. !thio- wedish .linic# (el.$$//EE. 5harmacies. .ity .ouncil runs a number of ine*'ensi&e 'ublic 'harmacies. (here is one ne*t to the -ational (our 1'eration head office# near ?hion <otel off Menelik A&e# on 7as 9ista 9eneten t. 3t stocks some im'orted medicines. (here is also a 'harmacy in <ilton <otel. Tour and Tra&el co panies 3n addition to the state-owned -ational (our 1'eration# there are se&eral 'ri&ate tour and tra&el agencies. Alfa (ra&els# 51 )o* $"@E#(el. 011177# Al-tad (ra&els# 51 )o* 1""E# (el. 01E700# ;a* 010"$$# 9istance (ra&el Agency# 51 )o* 7%18@# (el. 101710# ;a* 010/@E. !astern (ra&el and (ourist Agency# 51 )o* 11E@#(el. 01107$# ;a* 011$@8. more Tour 2perators. or more Travel agencies. Tourists 'nfor ations !thio'ian (ourist .ommission# on the corner of 9esta 9amtew tBAbiot +uare# 51 )o* 07%/# (el. AA"BD$DEAA"0#0$. (here is also a branch in Addis Ababa <ilton# (el. 108$%%# (ele* "11%$# Menelik A&e o'en daily. (he 9e'artment of -atural 7esources# 4ust off Africa A&e (the road towards )ole). ells a range of information sheets and ma's for many of the national 'arks# for 4ust a nominal charge.