%20(2)_1594730225.png "Logo Yared")
Chances are you’ll be entering Ethiopia via its capital and Africa’s fourth largest city, Addis Ababa. Situated in the central highlands (around 2,335m above sea level), the city has a near-perfect climate of 21-24 degrees all year round – just make sure you bring an umbrella if you’re planning to be there between July and September. Addis Ababa was founded as the official capital city of Ethiopia in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and his wife, Empress Taytu Betul. Today, Addis Ababa (meaning ‘new flower’) is a booming city inhabited by close to 3.5 million residents. The city radiates energy and chaos, it is Ethiopia’s commercial, political and cultural hub – home to the African Union, the Economic Commission for Africa and 118 embassies so takes its title as the third diplomatic capital in the world.
Highlights Addis Ababa
Many of Addis’ highlights are featured during a Yared Tour & Travel Addis Ababa city tour. From the Ethnological Museum set in stunning university grounds, to the National Museum and its exhibitions of Ethiopian art and prehistoric fossils, the burial place of the Last Emperor of Ethiopia - Haile Selassie in the beautiful Holy Trinity Cathedral, and the old Italian- influenced neighbourhood of Piassa where mouth-watering Ethiopian cuisine and coffee are served up at Taitu Hotel (the first hotel in Addis). There are gorgeous traditional cotton fabrics, spices and handicrafts to be purchased, live ethio-jazz performances to enjoy, honey wine (tej) to be savoured and eucalyptus-covered mountains with far-reaching views over the city to climb. Addis is full of contrasts between modern and traditional Ethiopia, making it a perfect starting point for your Yared Tour in Ethiopia.
City Tour Addis Ababa with Yared
Your city tour begins with a drive to Entoto Mountain where you'll visit the historical site of Emperor Menelik’s Palace and Maryam Church, the oldest in Addis Ababa. From Mount Entoto, you continue through Shiro Meda which hosts the city’s largest market for traditional clothing, next to the campus of Addis Ababa University, home to one of East Africa’s best Ethnological museum and the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie. Read further at the next text slide...
City Tour Addis Ababa with Yared
Continuing the tour, you will visit Ethiopia's National Museum and see ‘Lucy’, the world famous fossilized hominid discovered in 1974. The museum also showcases ancient artefacts from Axum and Gondar, and an exhibition of Ethiopian art ranging from parchment to 20th century paintings. Close to the National Museum is the Holy Trinity Cathedral (built in 1933), the largest Orthodox church in Ethiopia and the final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie, to whom there is a dedicated museum on site. To conclude the day, you will have the chance to shop and observe the busy life of traders in Mercato - Africa’s biggest outdoor market. In the evening, you visit one of the city’s popular cultural restaurants to sample authentic Ethiopian cuisine - some of the most diverse and delicious food on the continent whilst enjoying traditional dance and music.
