Ethiopia-4-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 to learn about the country’s history and culture
  • Visit the Ethnological Museum at Sidist Kilo, the former palace of Haile Selassie

Evening

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

Day 2: Unity Park and Piassa

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

  • Visit St George’s Cathedral and the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Piassa, and have a coffee at Tomoca’s Piassa branch. Keep to daytime and stay in company

Evening

  • Listen to Ethio-jazz at Fendika@Hyatt on Meskel Square, travelling door to door by car

Day 3: Entoto and Textiles

Morning

  • Drive up to the Entoto Maryam Church and its museum for views over Addis Ababa. The FCDO names Entoto as a crime hotspot, so go by car in daytime and in company

Afternoon

  • Browse handwoven cotton and shawls at Shiro Meda on Entoto Road, where vendors often quote visitors higher prices
  • Try a coffee ceremony at a Galani Coffee cafe

Evening

  • Enjoy dinner near your hotel and return before dark

Day 4: Bishoftu Crater Lakes

Morning

  • Hire a car and drive about 48 to 62 km southeast on the Addis-Adama Expressway to Bishoftu (Debre Zeit)
  • Take a boat trip on Lake Hora

Afternoon

  • Have lunch at the Kuriftu Resort & Spa, then return to Addis Ababa before dark for your onward journey. Stay on the expressway corridor and do not travel on to Adama or Awash

Other Important Information

  • Transportation: Use hotel transfers or yellow or app-based taxis, and hire a private car and driver for day trips. Ethiopian Airlines has halted flights to Tigray, and the FCDO says northern flights may be suspended or cancelled at short notice.
  • Health and Safety: Consult your doctor before travelling to Ethiopia. Vaccinations against yellow fever, hepatitis A, and typhoid are commonly recommended. The UK FCDO warns of a high terrorism threat and crime hotspots including Bole Medhanealem, Meskel Square and Entoto.
  • Cultural Etiquette: Respect local customs by dressing modestly, removing shoes when entering churches or homes, and using your right hand when eating or giving and receiving items.
  • Language: Amharic is the official language, but many Ethiopians speak English.
  • Not on this itinerary: Bahir Dar, Lake Tana, Blue Nile Falls (Tis Issat), Gondar and the Simien Mountains are in Amhara, where the UK FCDO advises against all travel.

Tips and Recommendations

  • Try traditional Ethiopian cuisine, such as injera (flatbread) with wot (stew)
  • Bargain when shopping at markets; it’s part of the local culture
  • Addis Ababa sits at about 2,355 m, so pace yourself on the first day and drink plenty of water
  • Respect local traditions and customs to ensure a positive experience