Addis Ababa is an interesting Ethiopian city that has loads of attraction to visit and things to do for the wandering travelers.

Mercato:The Mercato is the largest outdoor market in the whole of Africa. Presenting a delightfully colorful sight to the travelers, this market is the ultimate destination to buy almost everything Ethiopian and features spice merchants and camel traders along with the wonderful Ethiopian coffee sellers.

National Museum:The National Museum spreads across three floors and displays a range of exhibits that cover a large part of Ethiopian history. The 3.18 million years old replica statue of Lucy is the main attraction of this museum. Don`t miss out the great selection of artworks from Lalibella, Aksum and Tana Monasteries.

St. George Cathedral:Built in 1896 to commemorate the victory of great Emperor Menelik over Italian invaders, the St. George Cathedral is a beautiful building covered with wonderful mosaics and artworks. The interior of the cathedral feature beautiful stained glass windows that further enhance the scared atmosphere. It is advisable to attend a service at the cathedral to fully experience the typical singing and chanting that characterizes Coptic Christianity.

The Lion of Judah Statue:The Lion of Judah Statue is a prominent landmark in this capital city. Situated right in front of the office buildings in the city center The Italians stole the statue during their rule over the city from 1936-1941. The statue of lion, representing the resistance of the people of Addis Ababa, has a great symbolic value.

With countless options available, accommodation at Addis Ababa has never been a problem for the travelers. From the lavish luxury hotels to hostels for backpackers, there are accommodation options available for travelers of all budgets and styles.

Luxury Hotels:In the luxury section, two of the biggest chains of international hotels have a presence here: Hilton and the Sheraton. To experience the ultimate in luxury, stay at the Sheraton Addis that is situated on a hilltop and overlooks the whole city. Sheraton presents the African splendor in its full glory, which is well complemented with excellent services and amenities. Hilton Addis Ababa Hotel is the most sought after vacation getaway in the city. Travelers can experience its unforgettable charm and memorable services on their visit to Addis Ababa.

Budget Hotels and Hostels:For the backpackers and ones with limited budget, budget hotels and hostels offer a great accommodation option in Addis Ababa. The hostels in the city offer excellent bread and breakfast service at a very reasonable price. Few of the accommodation options worth a mention include Yeka Guest House, Olympus Guest House & Apartment, Z Guest House, Jupiter International Hotel and Strawberry Fields Eco Lodge.

All nationals, including those of America, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and Ireland require a passport and a visa to travel to Ethiopia.

Visa can be obtained on arrival for one to three months. In some cases, even business visa can be obtained on arrival. However, visa on arrival is available only to travelers who arrive by flights and not to those who arrive by land.

Addis Ababa is a great destination to visit any time of the year. However, it is advised to avoid the rainy season which begins in July until early October. October to January is the best time to visit Addis Ababa. These months are perfect to avoid the rain but still get to experience the lush green countryside. Traveling during the Ethiopian New Year and Ethiopian Christmas is also a great idea.

Being close to the equator, Addis Ababa doesn`t experience much change in the temperature from month to month. The average highs hover around 17-22 degree Celsius and the average lows fall in the range of 11-14 degree Celsius. February through May are the hottest months in Addis Ababa. Due to altitude, travelers might witness great variations in day and night temperatures hence it is advisable to carry a layer of clothing with you.

Currency:The currency used in Ethiopia is the Ethiopian Birr (ETB). Authorized hotels and banks exchange currency in Addis Ababa. Credit cards have limited acceptability even in the capital city, except by large establishments engaged in tourism trade. ATMs cannot be found too commonly, however banks are open 6 days a week except on Sundays.

Language:The national languages of the country are Amharic, English and Tigrigna. Other languages spoken by the immigrants to the nation include Maay, Sudanese Spoken Arabic and Kunama.