Addis Ababa Sights by District

October 19, 2026

Advisory: read before you sightsee. Ethiopia is in an active conflict. Fighting between federal forces and Tigray-aligned groups resumed on 23 September 2026, and Ethiopian Airlines has stopped its Tigray flights. The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) reports attacks, possibly by drones, on military sites in Addis Ababa, warns of a high terrorism threat that includes places of worship and tourist sites, and names Meskel Square, Bole and Entoto as crime hotspots. It advises against all travel to Tigray, Amhara and Gambela and to parts of Oromia, Afar and other regions, though not to the capital as such. The US State Department puts Ethiopia at Level 3, Reconsider Travel, in an advisory that predates the September fighting. Look at gov.uk and travel.state.gov before you book and the day you fly. The northern historic sites are not currently visitable, and this page covers Addis Ababa only.

Most of the capital’s historic sights sit in three clusters: Arat Kilo, Piassa and the Meskel Square area, with one church up on Entoto. Several are places of worship or mourning, so dress modestly and speak quietly. A foreigner fee applies at most of them. It is paid in cash, so confirm the amount on the day.

District	Sights	Notes
Arat Kilo	National Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Unity Park	National Museum and Unity Park shut on Mondays
Sidist Kilo	Ethnological Museum	Haile Selassie’s former palace
Piassa	St George’s Cathedral, Adwa Victory Memorial Museum	Close together
Meskel Square	Red Terror Martyrs’ Memorial Museum	A memorial, visit with care
Entoto	Entoto Maryam Church	Crime hotspot, go by car

Arat Kilo

National Museum of Ethiopia. The basement shelters the hominid fossils and a display on Selam. The first floor displays ancient and medieval objects together with the regalia of Haile Selassie. Art, among it Afewerk Tekle’s African Heritage, hangs on the second floor, and the third floor covers ethnography. The Lucy on view is a cast. Opening is reported as Tuesday to Sunday, roughly 9:00 to 17:00, and a modest foreigner fee is paid in cash.

Unity Park. This was the palace compound of Menelik II. Foreigners are reported to pay USD 20 for a self-guided ticket that leaves out the palace rooms, or USD 50 for a special ticket with a guide, Menelik II’s and Empress Taytu’s rooms and the Egg House. The throne hall is among the buildings inside. The park is closed on Mondays. To compare organised sightseeing, search Addis Ababa sightseeing tours on GetYourGuide .

Holy Trinity Cathedral. Building began in 1931 and ended in 1942, to mark the victory over the Italian occupation. Haile Selassie and Empress Menen are buried in the north transept, and Sylvia Pankhurst and Meles Zenawi lie in the grounds. Inside are the remains of people massacred by the Italians in 1937, as well as a monument and a tomb for officials put to death under the Derg. It is a working church and a place of remembrance, so keep your voice low near the graves. A foreigner fee applies, so confirm it at the ticket office and be wary of anyone at the booth who offers a paid tour.

Sidist Kilo

The Ethnological Museum belongs to Addis Ababa University’s Institute of Ethiopian Studies and occupies the former palace of Haile Selassie. His bedroom and bathroom can be seen. Reports say the foreigner fee is about 100 birr and the museum opens 8:30 to 17:30 daily, though both may differ now.

Piassa

St George’s Cathedral. At Arada Giyorgis, this octagonal church was commissioned by Menelik II after the victory at Adwa in 1896. Zewditu received her crown here in 1917, and Haile Selassie his in 1930. Work by Afewerk Tekle decorates the interior, and a small museum is attached. Ask for the fee at the entrance.

Adwa Victory Memorial Museum. Between the Menelik II monument and St George’s, this museum was inaugurated on 11 February 2024 and opened to the public on 16 March 2024. It covers about 1.5 hectares in eleven blocks over five floors, with displays on the 1896 battle, Menelik II and Empress Taytu. One blog from 2024 reported a foreigner ticket of about USD 20, payable only in dollars, and photography is reportedly not allowed inside. It honours a battle, so visit quietly.

Meskel Square

The Red Terror Martyrs’ Memorial Museum stands at the east end of the square and opened in 2010 in memory of people killed during the Red Terror under the Derg. Its exhibits include skulls and bones, instruments of torture, coffins, bloodied clothing and photographs of victims. Plan it as a visit in its own right. The guided tour is free and a donation is asked for, and guides at the gate expect payment. Hours are reported as 8:00 or 8:30 to 18:30. Meskel Square is a crime hotspot, so do not linger outside at dusk.

Entoto Maryam Church

Menelik II was crowned in 1889 at the octagonal church high on the Entoto heights. A nearby museum holds belongings of Menelik II and Empress Taytu. The FCDO lists Entoto as a crime hotspot, so go by car, in daylight and not alone. Separate fees may apply and photography can be restricted.

Getting between sights

The Arat Kilo sights are 1 to 3 kilometres apart, but heavy traffic and hazardous crossings make a short taxi ride wiser than walking. Do not photograph military zones, soldiers or the Presidential Palace. At October 2026 rates, one US dollar is worth about 160 to 165 birr.