Ethiopia-5-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: Arrival in Addis Ababa

  • Arrival: Arrive at Bole International Airport (ADD) in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia.
  • Accommodation: Check in to a hotel in the city, such as the Sheraton Addis or similar.
  • Afternoon: Visit the National Museum of Ethiopia in Arat Kilo to learn about the country’s history and culture.
  • Evening: Enjoy traditional Ethiopian cuisine at a local restaurant, going there and back by car.

Day 2: Unity Park and the Ethnological Museum

  • 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 the Ethnological Museum at Sidist Kilo, the former palace of Haile Selassie.
  • Evening: Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Addis Ababa.

Day 3: Piassa and Holy Trinity

  • Morning: Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, where Haile Selassie and Empress Menen are buried. It is a solemn place, so dress modestly.
  • Afternoon: Visit St George’s Cathedral and the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Piassa, then have a coffee at Tomoca’s Piassa branch. Keep to daytime and stay in company.
  • Evening: Listen to live music at Fendika@Hyatt on Meskel Square, travelling door to door by car.

Day 4: Entoto

  • Morning: Drive up to the Entoto Maryam Church and its museum for views over the city. 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.
  • Evening: Enjoy a three-round coffee ceremony at a Galani Coffee cafe.

Day 5: Bishoftu and Departure

  • Morning: Hire a car and drive about 48 to 62 km southeast on the Addis-Adama Expressway to the Bishoftu crater lakes, and take a boat on Lake Hora.
  • Afternoon: Return to Addis Ababa before dark, stay on the expressway corridor, and do not travel on to Adama or Awash.
  • Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Addis Ababa.

Things to Know

  • Ethiopia can be inexpensive to travel in, but prices vary by location and type of accommodation or activity.
  • The Ethiopian birr (ETB) is the local currency, at about 160 to 165 birr to the US dollar in October 2026.
  • English is widely spoken, but learning basic Amharic phrases can go a long way in showing respect for the local culture.
  • 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.

Visa Requirements

  • Apply through the official e-visa portal at www.evisa.gov.et before you travel.
  • Check with the Ethiopian Embassy or Consulate in your home country for specific requirements.

Transportation

  • Use hotel transfers or yellow or app-based taxis rather than blue-and-white ones.
  • Ethiopian Airlines has halted flights to Tigray, and the FCDO says northern flights may be suspended or cancelled at short notice.
  • Hire a private car and driver or join a guided tour with a licensed operator for day trips.

Other Things of Interest

  • Try traditional Ethiopian cuisine, including injera (flatbread) and wot (stew).
  • Be respectful of local customs and traditions, particularly when visiting religious sites.
  • Bahir Dar, the Blue Nile Falls, Gondar, the Simien Mountains, Lalibela and the Danakil Depression are in areas where the UK FCDO advises against all or all but essential travel, so they are not part of this itinerary.