Ethiopia-6-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.

6-Day Itinerary for Ethiopia

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa

  • 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
  • Transfer to your hotel and rest, as Addis Ababa sits at about 2,355 m
  • Visit the National Museum of Ethiopia to get an overview of the country’s history and culture

Day 2: Addis Ababa

  • Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, one of the most important Orthodox churches in Ethiopia and the burial place of Haile Selassie. It is a solemn place, so dress modestly
  • Visit the Ethnological Museum at Sidist Kilo, the former palace of Haile Selassie
  • Enjoy traditional Ethiopian cuisine for lunch

Day 3: Unity Park and Piassa

  • 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
  • Visit St George’s Cathedral and the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Piassa, then have a coffee at Tomoca’s Piassa branch

Day 4: Entoto

  • 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
  • Browse handwoven cotton and shawls at Shiro Meda on Entoto Road
  • Enjoy a coffee ceremony at a Galani Coffee cafe

Day 5: Bishoftu Crater Lakes

  • Hire a car and drive about 48 to 62 km southeast on the Addis-Adama Expressway to Bishoftu (Debre Zeit)
  • Take a boat on Lake Hora and have lunch at the Kuriftu Resort & Spa
  • Return to Addis Ababa before dark; stay on the expressway corridor and do not travel on to Adama or Awash

Day 6: Departure

  • Spend the morning shopping for souvenirs in Piassa
  • Depart from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport

Things to Know

  • The local currency is the Ethiopian Birr (ETB), at about 160 to 165 birr to the US dollar in October 2026. Credit cards are not widely accepted
  • Vaccinations and medications may be required before travelling to Ethiopia. Consult your doctor or a travel clinic for advice
  • 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
  • Respect local customs and traditions, especially when visiting churches and mosques

Transportation

  • Use hotel transfers or yellow or app-based taxis rather than blue-and-white ones
  • Private vehicles and drivers can be hired for day trips through licensed operators
  • Ethiopian Airlines has halted flights to Tigray, and the FCDO says northern flights may be suspended or cancelled at short notice

Accommodation

  • Addis Ababa: Hotel options range from budget-friendly guesthouses to luxury hotels.
  • Bishoftu: Lakeside resorts such as the Kuriftu Resort & Spa, if you want to stay overnight on the corridor.

Other Tips

  • Learn a few basic Amharic phrases to show respect for the local culture
  • Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself from the sun
  • Respect local dress codes when visiting churches and mosques
  • Lalibela, Gondar and the Simien Mountains are in Amhara, where the UK FCDO advises against all travel, so they are not part of this itinerary