Addis Ababa Travel Guide
Often considered the gateway to Africa, Addis Ababa is a riotous capital of over three million people, and a must for travellers who want to get off the beaten track. Those who visit will discover a medley of distinct religious and linguistic groups, along with the best Ethiopian food in the country.
The city was founded in the late 1800s by Ethiopian Emperor Menelik II and was later occupied by the Italians during the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. Once the Italians had been ejected, Emperor Haile Selassie immediately set about rebuilding the capital and formed the Organisation of African Unity. That intergovernmental organisation was replaced by today's African Union, which still has its headquarters in this proud African city.
Addis Ababa is home to the world-renowned early hominid, Lucy, whose skeleton is housed in the Ethiopian National Museum. Visitors will also find several interesting mosques and cathedrals, Menelik's old Imperial Palace, which is the official seat of the Ethiopian government, and one of the largest open air markets in Africa.
Tourists who want to buy souvenirs of their stay in Ethiopia should look into getting a pack of Ethiopian coffee beans, preferably vacuum-sealed to preserve freshness. Decorative metalwork in the form of crosses and painted religious artworks on carved wooden boards are popular, too, as are filigreed silver and gold jewellery. Foodies will relish the local cuisine, which is inventive and flavourful; tibs (sliced beef or lamb pan-fried in butter, garlic and onion), kitfo (similar to French steak tartare), and fuul (a mix of stewed and spiced fava beans eaten by many Ethiopians for breakfast) are among the best dishes.
Most travellers merely pass through Addis as it's the main transport hub of the country, but this transit shouldn't be rushed. Rather, it's a good two-day tourist city, offering travellers an authentic taste of urban Africa, with all its complexity, contradictions and dynamism, and enough interesting attractions to make a decent sightseeing itinerary.