Ethiopia 3 Day Itinerary

Travel advisory: Ethiopia is in an active conflict, with fighting in the north resumed in late September 2026. The UK FCDO advises against all travel to Tigray, Amhara and Gambela and to parts of Oromia, Afar and other regions, and the US State Department rates Ethiopia Level 3 (Reconsider Travel). Check the current UK FCDO and US State Department advice before you book and again before you fly. Addis Ababa itself is not in the FCDO’s advise-against list, but it warns of a high terrorism threat, crime hotspots including Meskel Square, Bole and Entoto, and security checkpoints. This guide covers Addis Ababa and the Bishoftu corridor only; the northern historic sites are not currently visitable.

Day 1: Addis Ababa

Morning

  • Arrive at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD)
  • Apply for your visa through the official e-visa portal at www.evisa.gov.et before you travel
  • Exchange currency to Ethiopian Birr (ETB), at about 160 to 165 birr to the US dollar in October 2026

Afternoon

  • Visit the National Museum of Ethiopia in Arat Kilo, where the displayed Lucy is a cast
  • Visit the Ethnological Museum at Sidist Kilo, the former palace of Haile Selassie

Evening

  • Enjoy traditional Ethiopian cuisine at a local restaurant, such as Yod Abyssinia, going there and back by car

Day 2: Unity Park and Entoto

Morning

  • Visit Unity Park in Arat Kilo, open Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Monday. Foreigner tickets are reported at about US$20 for regular entry and US$50 for the guided ticket; confirm at the gate

Afternoon

  • Drive up Entoto Hill for views of the city and visit the Entoto Maryam Church and its museum. The FCDO names Entoto as a crime hotspot, so go by car in daytime and in company

Evening

  • Enjoy dinner and a coffee ceremony at a Galani Coffee cafe, then return to your hotel

Day 3: Bishoftu Crater Lakes

Morning

  • Hire a car and drive about 48 to 62 km southeast on the Addis-Adama Expressway to Bishoftu (Debre Zeit), about 1 to 1.5 hours each way

Afternoon

  • Take a boat on Lake Hora or have lunch at the Kuriftu Resort & Spa, then return to Addis Ababa before dark. Stay on the expressway corridor and do not travel on to Adama or Awash

Evening

  • Reflect on three days in Ethiopia over a farewell dinner in Addis Ababa

Transportation

  • Taxis: Use hotel transfers or yellow or app-based taxis rather than blue-and-white ones
  • Private car and driver: Arrange through a licensed local tour operator
  • Domestic flights: Ethiopian Airlines has halted flights to Tigray, and the FCDO says northern flights may be suspended or cancelled at short notice

Things to Know

  • Best time to visit: the dry season (bega) runs about October to February
  • Language: Amharic, but many locals speak English
  • Currency: Ethiopian Birr (ETB)
  • Culture: Respect local customs, dress modestly, and remove shoes when entering churches or homes
  • Safety: The UK FCDO warns of a high terrorism threat, crime hotspots including Bole Medhanealem, Meskel Square and Entoto, and security checkpoints. Travel door to door by car after dark
  • Lalibela and Gondar are in Amhara, where the UK FCDO advises against all travel, so they are not part of this itinerary

Other Tips

  • Try traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremonies and injera bread
  • Haggling is expected at markets, so be prepared to negotiate prices
  • Bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses for outdoor exploration