Addis Ababa
Home to the headquarters of the African Union, the third largest United Nations population, and with representation from nearly every foreign embassy from around the world, Addis Ababa is often referred to as the political and diplomatic capital of Africa. Addis is the world’s third-highest capital city at 2,665 meters above sea level. It’s a city that has worn its heart on its sleeve since it was founded by Ethiopian Emperor Menelik in 1892.
A growing number of international standard hotels, an ever-improving infrastructure, a hub airport and world-class conference venues at the AU, the UNECA and the Millennium Hall, all with the traditionally hospitable welcome, make Addis Ababa a choice of a World-class events destination; meetings, conferences and exhibitions. A feature of the city is its wonderful cultural restaurants, which are typically housed in traditional tukul-style buildings, and serve the full range of meat-based and vegan Ethiopian specialities, accompanied by colourful traditional music and dance performances. Ethio-Jazz and contemporary Ethiopian music can also be experienced at a variety of nightclubs. Addis Ababa is studded with worthwhile museums. The landmark National Museum of Ethiopia is of particular interest for its paleontological hall, displaying a hominid skeleton stretching back 3.2 million years. Addis Ababa has a thriving cultural life embracing some excellent art galleries, traditional restaurants, and live music venues.
Boasting a cityscape that changes almost daily, with rickety wooden scaffolding creeping slowly skyward, Addis has more than enough history and sights to warrant more than just a stopover. The new developed parks like Unity parks, friendship parks and meskel-square give the city additional futures.
National Museum of Ethiopia
The National Museum of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa offers a comprehensive overview of the country’s natural, political and art histories. Visitors can easily spend a full morning or afternoon here soaking in the “edutainment.” A cast of the bones of the Australopithecus afarensis Lucy 3.2 million years are here of course, but so is the throne of Emperor Haile Selassie, traditional tools and textiles, and displays about Ethiopia’s different tribes.
Entoto Natural Park
Entoto Natural Park is a park of serenity and resounding joy. It’s a unique place to discover the most breath-taking ancient mountain nature with streams flowing from clear springs and waterfalls. The Park lies on the south-eastern slopes of Mt Entoto, between the northern limit of the city of Addis Ababa at an altitude of 2,600 m and the track along the mountain ridge at altitude over 3,100 m.
Entoto Park is fully equipped with various indoor and outdoor facilities including sport centers, library, Entertainment, Restaurants and coffee shops, Artificial Lake and Fountains Walk ways, Bike, scooter and cart roots. Most of These facilities were constructed using local material so they blend in beautifully with the natural environment of the park.
Some interesting activities in Entoto Natural Park include:-A Paintball arena which is a safe haven for everyone who enjoys a good game of paintball. A Horse riding ranch for both adults and children’s .Adults can follow a 3-5 kM trekking route on a horse back while children have their own horse riding arena with a trainer.
Merkato Open Market
The Mercato is located in western Addis Ababa and is one of the largest markets in Africa offering an array of colors, aromas, costumes, produce and jewellery. Beware of pickpockets. In Mercato virtually every possible commodity is on sale, from livestock to computers.
Andinet Park (Unity Park)
Menelik II Palace a.k.a. the Grand Palace, is open for visitors beginning October 10, 2019 .Built over a century ago, the Palace rests on 40,000Sqm of land. For generations, it has been viewed as the epicentre of political power, where the most powerful family in the land resides. The renovated compound incorporates several sights of interest to visitors, including an arena, a playground, a zoo and an imperial banquet hall.
Meskel Square
The square is the site where locals celebrate Meskel (the foundation of the True Cross of Jesus Christ) every year on September 27th. It is also a popular venue for early morning joggers, peaceful demonstrators, concert, other public gathering and can serve as a good point of reference for local transportation and for getting into the centre of the city.
Sheger Park (Friendship Square)
Sheger Park is the biggest urban park in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The park is right next to Unity Park which holds inside it a zoo and historical archives. It is a bountiful area where locals and tourists can enjoy a fitness space, playground & amusement park. In addition to this, it provides a variety of outdoor meeting and event venues, recreation programs, concerts and activities for adults, youth, and kids throughout the year. The Park offers 16 event venues, restaurants, cafes, jogging routes, and a peaceful place to relax.
