{"id":1311705,"date":"2026-10-23T12:45:51","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T12:45:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1311705"},"modified":"2026-10-23T13:28:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T13:28:39","slug":"addis-ababa","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/africa\/ethiopia\/addis-ababa\/","title":{"rendered":"Addis Ababa"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":1311706,"parent":1310596,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-city","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_country_team_title":"","hw_hub_country_team_intro":"","hw_hub_country_team":"","hw_hub_country_faq_title":"","hw_hub_country_faq_note":"","hw_hub_country_faqs":"","hw_hub_country_cta_title":"","hw_hub_country_cta_body":"","hw_hub_country_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_countr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city guide","hw_hub_city_hero_h1":"Addis Ababa Travel Guide","hw_hub_city_hero_intro":"Addis Ababa is Africa's diplomatic capital and one of its highest cities, at about 2,400 m: a sprawling, fast-changing place of museums, cathedrals, markets and some of the best food and coffee on the continent. Meet Lucy, drink coffee where it was born and spend a night in an azmari bar. Give it three nights.","hw_hub_city_hero_image":"1311706","hw_hub_city_hero_overlay":"medium","hw_hub_city_hero_cta":"Where to stay | #areas\r\nWhat it costs | #budget","hw_hub_city_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_city_stats":"About 2,400 m | One of the world's highest capitals\r\n20\u201323\u00b0C | Average highs all year\r\n3.2 million years | Age of Lucy at the National Museum","hw_hub_city_intro_title":"Addis Ababa at a glance","hw_hub_city_intro_body":"Addis Ababa, meaning \"new flower\", was founded in the 1880s by Emperor Menelik II and his wife Taytu, and became the capital of Ethiopia soon after. Today it is a city of several million people, home to the African Union headquarters and one of the busiest airports in Africa, the hub of Ethiopian Airlines.\r\n\r\nAt around 2,400 m above sea level, it is one of the highest capitals in the world, so days are mild and nights are cool all year, and you may feel the altitude on the first day.\r\n\r\nThe city is spread out and fast-changing, with new towers, roads and parks going up alongside older neighbourhoods. Bole, near the airport, is modern, with hotels, restaurants and nightlife. Piassa, in the north, is the old Italian-era centre, with caf\u00e9s, cinemas and the cathedral of St George. Between them are Arat Kilo and Sidist Kilo, home to the university, museums and Holy Trinity Cathedral, and Merkato, one of the largest open-air markets in Africa.\r\n\r\nAddis has the best museums in Ethiopia, and with much of the historic north off-limits under UK advice in 2026, it is the place to understand the country's history: the fossil of Lucy, the emperors' palaces, the Red Terror and the victory at Adwa.\r\n\r\nThree nights is enough for the museums, a coffee ceremony, a food crawl and a night of live music. Addis is also the base for flights to the south, to Dire Dawa and Harar, and to Djibouti.","hw_hub_city_facts":"Airport transfer | Bole International is close to Bole; use hotel transfers, yellow taxis or Ride\/Feres\r\nGetting around | Ride and Feres apps; light rail and minibuses\r\nTransport app | Ride and Feres\r\nTap water | Not safe; drink bottled water\r\nTipping | Around 10% in restaurants; tip azmari singers\r\nLanguage | Amharic; English widely spoken in Bole\r\nHow long to stay | Three nights\r\nBest area to stay | Bole for convenience, Piassa for character\r\nAltitude | About 2,400 m; take it easy on day one\r\nCash | Largely cash-based; keep exchange receipts","hw_hub_city_areas_title":"Where to stay in Addis Ababa","hw_hub_city_areas_intro":"Bole is convenient for the airport, restaurants and nightlife. Piassa and Arat Kilo are older, closer to the museums and more atmospheric. Kazanchis sits in between. Distances are big, so use ride-hailing.","hw_hub_city_areas_map":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_zoom":"13","hw_hub_city_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_live":"1","hw_hub_city_areas":"Bole | First-timers and nightlife | Modern area near the airport with hotels, restaurants, caf\u00e9s and bars. Take cars at night. | 8.994999999999999 | 38.79 |  | \nPiassa | Character and coffee | Old Italian-era centre with caf\u00e9s, St George's Cathedral and the Adwa memorial. | 9.035 | 38.752 |  | \nArat Kilo and Sidist Kilo | Museums and history | Home to the National Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral and the university's Ethnological Museum. | 9.032999999999999 | 38.763 |  | \nKazanchis | Central and well connected | Business district between Bole and the centre, with hotels and nightlife. | 9.02 | 38.77 |  | \nMerkato | Market lovers (by day) | One of Africa's largest open-air markets. Visit with a guide; don't stay here. | 9.029999999999999 | 38.74 |  | ","hw_hub_city_itin_title":"","hw_hub_city_itin_intro":"","hw_hub_city_itin":"","hw_hub_city_do_title":"Lucy, palaces and the biggest market in Africa","hw_hub_city_do_body":"Start at the National Museum of Ethiopia, home to the fossil skeleton of Lucy (Dinkinesh in Amharic), a human ancestor about 3.2 million years old, found in the Afar region in 1974. The original is kept in a vault, but the replica and the other hominid fossils make this one of the most important museums in Africa. The upper floors cover Ethiopian art and history.\r\n\r\nNearby, the Ethnological Museum is in Emperor Haile Selassie's former palace on the Addis Ababa University campus, with excellent displays on Ethiopia's many peoples. Holy Trinity Cathedral, with its domes and stained glass, is where Haile Selassie and his wife are buried.\r\n\r\nUnity Park, in the grounds of Menelik II's palace, shows the throne hall, banquet hall and regional pavilions, and has a zoo of black-maned lions. Foreigners pay US$20 for the regular ticket or US$50 for the special ticket, which adds a guide and the palace rooms. It is closed on Mondays.\r\n\r\nThe Red Terror Martyrs Memorial Museum documents the killings under the Derg military regime in the 1970s, with former prisoners sometimes acting as guides. The Adwa Victory Memorial in Piassa celebrates the 1896 defeat of Italy.\r\n\r\nMerkato is a vast, chaotic market district where you can buy anything from spices to recycled goods. Go with a local guide and keep valuables hidden.\r\n\r\nOn the hills north of the city, Entoto has forests, churches and views over Addis, but the UK reports robberies there, so go by car or with a guide.","hw_hub_city_do_points":"National Museum | Lucy and other hominid fossils\r\nUnity Park | US$20 (US$50 special ticket); closed Mondays\r\nHoly Trinity Cathedral | Tomb of Haile Selassie\r\nEthnological Museum | In Haile Selassie's former palace\r\nRed Terror Museum | Free; history of the Derg years\r\nMerkato | Huge market; go with a guide","hw_hub_city_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_city_do_more":"All things to do in Addis Ababa","hw_hub_city_free_title":"Addis Ababa for free (or nearly)","hw_hub_city_free_body":"Many of Addis Ababa's best experiences are cheap or free. The Red Terror Martyrs Memorial Museum is free, with donations welcome.\r\n\r\nWatch the city go by from a caf\u00e9 terrace in Piassa with a macchiato, a legacy of the Italian occupation, for very little.\r\n\r\nWalk through Merkato, which costs nothing but needs care: go in the daytime, ideally with a local, and keep your bag in front of you.\r\n\r\nIf you are here at Timket in January or Meskel in late September, the religious processions and the giant Meskel bonfire are free and unforgettable, but very crowded, so stay alert.\r\n\r\nThe cathedrals, including St George's in Piassa and Holy Trinity, charge small fees for foreigners, but their courtyards and the services on feast days are free to see.","hw_hub_city_free_points":"Red Terror Museum | Free, donations welcome\r\nPiassa caf\u00e9s | Macchiatos for very little\r\nMerkato | By day, with care\r\nTimket and Meskel | Free processions and bonfire\r\nCathedral courtyards | Feast-day services","hw_hub_city_free_tag":"free-things-to-do","hw_hub_city_free_more":"All free things to do in Addis Ababa","hw_hub_city_food_title":"Injera, kitfo and a coffee ceremony","hw_hub_city_food_body":"Addis Ababa is the best place in Ethiopia to eat. Everything comes on injera, the sour, spongy teff flatbread, which you use to scoop up stews with your right hand.\r\n\r\nTry doro wat, the spicy chicken stew with a hard-boiled egg, tibs (saut\u00e9ed meat), shiro (a smooth chickpea stew) and kitfo, minced raw beef with spiced butter, served in specialist kitfo houses. On Wednesdays and Fridays, when Orthodox Christians fast, restaurants serve beyaynetu, a colourful vegan platter.\r\n\r\nCoffee is everywhere. Traditional coffee ceremonies are offered in caf\u00e9s and restaurants, and the city's old roasters in Piassa serve strong macchiatos.\r\n\r\nBole has the most international restaurants, caf\u00e9s and bakeries.\r\n\r\nA local meal costs a few euros, and a meal in a Bole restaurant around \u20ac6 to \u20ac12. Try tej (honey wine) and St George beer, and drink bottled water.","hw_hub_city_food_points":"Injera | Under everything\r\nDoro wat | Spicy chicken stew\r\nKitfo | Minced raw beef with spiced butter\r\nBeyaynetu | Vegan platter on fasting days\r\nCoffee ceremony | In caf\u00e9s and restaurants\r\nRestaurant meal | About \u20ac6\u201312 in Bole","hw_hub_city_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_city_food_more":"All food guides for Addis Ababa","hw_hub_city_nightlife_title":"Azmari bars and Ethio-jazz","hw_hub_city_nightlife_body":"Addis Ababa has the liveliest nightlife in Ethiopia. Bole and Kazanchis have bars, lounges and clubs, busy at weekends.\r\n\r\nThe essential night out is an azmari bet, a traditional music bar where a singer improvises verses, often teasing the audience, accompanied by the masenqo, a one-stringed fiddle, and dancers performing eskista, the shoulder dance. Tip the musicians if they sing about you.\r\n\r\nEthio-jazz, the hypnotic 1960s and 1970s sound, is played live at several venues around the city.\r\n\r\nCultural restaurants serve dinner with traditional music and dance from different regions, a good introduction for first-timers.\r\n\r\nThe UK reports rising muggings in Bole Medhanealem, Bole Atlas and around Meskel Square, so take a Ride or Feres car home rather than walking, even short distances.","hw_hub_city_nightlife_points":"Azmari bets | Improvised songs and eskista dancing\r\nEthio-jazz | Live venues across the city\r\nBole and Kazanchis | Bars, lounges and clubs\r\nCultural restaurants | Dinner with music and dance\r\nGetting home | Ride or Feres, not walking","hw_hub_city_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_city_nightlife_more":"All nightlife in Addis Ababa","hw_hub_city_transport_title":"Getting to and around Addis Ababa","hw_hub_city_transport_body":"Bole International Airport, the hub of Ethiopian Airlines, is in the south-east of the city, close to Bole. The UK advises using only airport buses or taxis arranged by your hotel, or yellow or app-based taxis if you book yourself, because of pickpockets and bag-snatchers around the airport.\r\n\r\nRide-hailing apps such as Ride and Feres are the easiest and safest way to get around. Traffic is heavy at rush hour, and distances are big.\r\n\r\nThe Addis Ababa light rail has two lines crossing the city, and is cheap but crowded. Blue-and-white minibuses run fixed routes and cost very little, but are hard to navigate without help.\r\n\r\nFor travel beyond Addis, Ethiopian Airlines flies to Arba Minch, Jinka, Dire Dawa and other cities, often at lower fares if booked with an Ethiopian international ticket. Long-distance buses leave early in the morning.\r\n\r\nFor Djibouti, fly from Bole in about 1\u00bd hours, or take the train from Furi-Lebu station, which runs every second day with an overnight stop at Dire Dawa. Overland travellers need a Djibouti visa from the embassy in Addis.","hw_hub_city_transport_points":"Airport | Hotel transfer, yellow taxi or app\r\nRide-hailing | Ride and Feres\r\nLight rail | Two lines; cheap and crowded\r\nDomestic flights | Ethiopian Airlines to the south and east\r\nTo Djibouti | Fly (about 1\u00bd hours) or train from Furi-Lebu","hw_hub_city_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_city_transport_more":"All transport guides for Addis Ababa","hw_hub_city_money_title":"What Addis Ababa costs","hw_hub_city_money_body":"Addis Ababa is cheap day to day, but prices are rising fast after the birr was floated in 2024. In October 2026, \u20ac1 buys about 183 birr.\r\n\r\nHostelworld lists only a few places here, with dorm beds from about US$11, and simple hotels and guesthouses fill the gaps. Hotels in Bole cost more.\r\n\r\nA local meal costs a few euros, a coffee very little, and a restaurant meal in Bole around \u20ac6 to \u20ac12.\r\n\r\nRide and Feres cars are cheap for short trips, and the light rail and minibuses cost almost nothing.\r\n\r\nSights charge foreigners more. Unity Park costs US$20, or US$50 with a guide and the palace rooms, and museums and churches charge small fees.\r\n\r\nAddis is largely cash-based. ATMs are available but not always reliable, and only some hotels and restaurants take cards. Keep exchange receipts, and remember you can only take 3,000 birr out of the country.","hw_hub_city_money_points":"Exchange rate | About 183 birr to \u20ac1 (October 2026)\r\nDorm bed | From about US$11 on Hostelworld\r\nLocal meal | A few euros\r\nUnity Park | US$20 for foreigners\r\nCash | Cards in some hotels only\r\nBirr limit | 3,000 birr out of the country","hw_hub_city_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_city_money_more":"All budget guides for Addis Ababa","hw_hub_city_safety_title":"Staying safe in Addis Ababa","hw_hub_city_safety_body":"Addis Ababa is visited by many travellers without problems, but crime is rising. The UK reports more muggings and robberies, including at knifepoint, in Bole Medhanealem, Bole Atlas, Meskel Square, Yeka Hills and Entoto. Avoid these areas alone, use cars rather than walking, especially after dark, and hand over valuables if threatened.\r\n\r\nPickpockets and bag-snatchers work around the airport and in crowded places, often using distraction tricks such as spilling something on you, begging or pretending to be ill. Keep your phone out of sight on the street and car windows up at traffic lights.\r\n\r\nThe UK also says terrorist attacks are very likely in Ethiopia, including at festivals and crowded places, and reports possible drone attacks on military sites, including in Addis Ababa. Avoid protests, and expect internet and mobile networks to be cut without warning at times of unrest.\r\n\r\nSame-sex acts are illegal, and the UK reports authorities detaining people at venues in Addis. Don't photograph the Presidential Palace or military sites. Carry a copy of your passport and visa.\r\n\r\nTake it easy for the first day or two because of the altitude.","hw_hub_city_safety_points":"Robbery hotspots | Bole Medhanealem, Bole Atlas, Meskel Square, Yeka, Entoto\r\nAirport | Pickpockets; use arranged transport\r\nDistraction tricks | Spills, begging, fake illness\r\nTerrorism | UK: attacks very likely; stay alert at festivals\r\nShutdowns | Internet can be cut\r\nLaws | Same-sex acts illegal; no photos of the palace","hw_hub_city_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_city_safety_more":"All safety guides for Addis Ababa","hw_hub_city_trips_title":"Day trips and short trips from Addis Ababa","hw_hub_city_trips_intro":"Much of the area around Addis is covered by UK travel warnings in 2026, so most trips from the capital are by air: south to the Rift Valley, east to Harar and over the border to Djibouti.","hw_hub_city_trips":"Entoto | About 30 minutes | Car or tour | Forested hills with churches and views over Addis. The UK reports robberies there, so go by car or with a guide. |  | \nHawassa | About 4\u20135 hours | Bus or car on the A7 | Lakeside city in the Rift Valley with a morning fish market. Better as an overnight. |  | \nHarar and Dire Dawa | About 1 hour by air | Flight to Dire Dawa | Walled city of lanes, mosques and hyena feeding, reached via Dire Dawa. |  | \nDjibouti | About 1\u00bd hours by air | Flight or train | Lake Assal, Lac Abb\u00e9 and whale sharks. Needs a visa and several days. |  | ","hw_hub_city_trips_tag":"day-trips","hw_hub_city_trips_more":"All day trips from Addis Ababa","hw_hub_city_season_title":"When to go to Addis Ababa","hw_hub_city_season_intro":"Addis Ababa is mild all year, with highs of 20\u00b0C to 23\u00b0C and cold nights. October to March is dry and sunny; June to September is the rainy season. January (Timket) and late September (Meskel) bring the biggest festivals.","hw_hub_city_season_note":"Highs from weather2travel's Addis Ababa climate data (23\u00b0C February to May, 20\u00b0C July to September); the other months are rounded estimates. Night lows drop to 4\u201310\u00b0C. Crowd levels are our rough guide.","hw_hub_city_season_rows":"January | 22 | 5 | Dry; Genna and Timket\r\nFebruary | 23 | 4 | Dry and sunny\r\nMarch | 23 | 3 | Adwa Victory Day, 2 March\r\nApril | 23 | 3 | Small rains; Easter\r\nMay | 23 | 2 | Warm, some rain\r\nJune | 22 | 2 | Main rains begin\r\nJuly | 20 | 1 | Wettest month\r\nAugust | 20 | 1 | Wettest month\r\nSeptember | 20 | 4 | New Year and Meskel\r\nOctober | 21 | 4 | Dry; Irreecha\r\nNovember | 21 | 4 | Dry and clear\r\nDecember | 21 | 3 | Dry; cold nights","hw_hub_city_events_title":"What's on in Addis Ababa","hw_hub_city_events_intro":"Addis Ababa's biggest events are Orthodox festivals: Timket at Jan Meda in January and Meskel in Meskel Square in September. The UK warns big religious gatherings could be targets, so stay alert.","hw_hub_city_events_source":"api","hw_hub_city_events_count":"8","hw_hub_city_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_city_events_cta_label":"All events in Addis Ababa","hw_hub_city_events_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/events\/africa\/ethiopia\/addis-ababa\/","hw_hub_city_events":"Genna | 7 January | Churches across the city | Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas, with overnight services. |  | \nTimket | 19 January (20 in leap years) | Jan Meda | Epiphany processions with priests carrying the tabots and crowds in white. |  | \nAdwa Victory Day | 2 March | Piassa and Menelik Square | Celebration of the 1896 victory over Italy. |  | \nEnkutatash | 11 September (12 in leap years) | Citywide | Ethiopian New Year, as the rains end. |  | \nMeskel | 27 September (28 in leap years) | Meskel Square | Huge bonfire, the demera, lit in front of tens of thousands of people. |  | \nIrreecha | Early October | Hora Finfinne, Addis Ababa | Oromo thanksgiving festival with crowds in traditional dress. |  | ","hw_hub_city_budget_title":"How much does Addis Ababa cost per day?","hw_hub_city_budget_intro":"Pick a style and a number of nights for a rough total, per person, in euros.","hw_hub_city_budget_note":"Estimates. Beds are based on Hostelworld's listed prices for Addis Ababa in October 2026; prices change fast with the birr.","hw_hub_city_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 11 | 7 | 3 | 4\r\nMiddle of the road | 25 | 14 | 6 | 10\r\nComfortable | 60 | 28 | 15 | 20","hw_hub_city_budget_currency":"\u20ac","hw_hub_city_hostels_title":"Hostels in Addis Ababa","hw_hub_city_hostels_intro":"Addis Ababa has only a few hostels, mostly in residential areas a few kilometres from the centre. Check the location and arrange a pick-up from the airport.","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in Addis Ababa","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/africa\/ethiopia\/addis-ababa\/","hw_hub_city_hostels_source":"api","hw_hub_city_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_city_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_city_picks":"Best rated | Mad Vervet Hostel | Rated 8.6 from about 50 reviews, the best-reviewed hostel in Ethiopia, with dorms from about US$11 and cheap private rooms. | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/p\/307690\/mad-vervet-hostel\/\nBreakfast included | New Silk Road Hostel | Newer hostel with dorms and private rooms, free breakfast and WiFi. No reviews yet. | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/p\/334809\/new-silk-road-hostel\/","hw_hub_city_hostels":"","hw_hub_city_team_title":"","hw_hub_city_team_intro":"","hw_hub_city_team":"","hw_hub_city_faq_title":"Addis Ababa FAQs","hw_hub_city_faq_note":"Prices and timetables change. Check before you travel.","hw_hub_city_faqs":"Is Addis Ababa safe? | Many visitors go without problems, but crime is rising. The UK reports muggings and knifepoint robberies in Bole Medhanealem, Bole Atlas, Meskel Square, Yeka Hills and Entoto. Use Ride or Feres instead of walking, especially at night, and watch for distraction tricks.\r\nHow many days do you need in Addis Ababa? | Three days covers the National Museum, Holy Trinity, Unity Park, the Red Terror museum, Merkato and a night at an azmari bar.\r\nWhere should I stay in Addis Ababa? | Bole is convenient and close to the airport, restaurants and nightlife. Piassa and Arat Kilo are older and closer to the museums.\r\nCan I see Lucy in Addis Ababa? | Yes, at the National Museum of Ethiopia. The displayed skeleton is a replica, with the original kept safely in the museum's vaults, alongside other important hominid fossils.\r\nHow much does Unity Park cost? | US$20 for foreigners for the regular ticket, or US$50 for the special ticket with a guide and access to Menelik II's palace rooms. It is closed on Mondays.\r\nWhat is an azmari bet? | A traditional music bar where a singer improvises verses, often about the audience, with a one-stringed masenqo and eskista dancing. Go with a group and tip the musicians.\r\nHow do I get from Addis Ababa to Djibouti? | Fly with Ethiopian Airlines in about 1\u00bd hours, or take the train from Furi-Lebu, which runs every second day with a night stop in Dire Dawa. Overland travellers need a Djibouti visa from the embassy in Addis.\r\nWill the altitude affect me in Addis Ababa? | At about 2,400 m, many people feel short of breath or tired on the first day. Take it easy, drink water and go easy on alcohol at first.\r\nWhen is the best time to visit Addis Ababa? | October to March is dry and sunny. Late September brings Meskel, and January brings Genna and Timket, the city's biggest festivals.","hw_hub_city_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_city_cta_body":"Compare Addis Ababa hostels: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_city_cta_buttons":"Find a hostel in Addis Ababa | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/africa\/ethiopia\/addis-ababa\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_city_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_city_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. 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